Last weekend there was the opportunity to head down to Blackpool for some dancing at the Tower Ballroom. A group called 4 The Love Of Dance put on once a quarter Salsa and Bachata nights and a chance to dance at the famous ballroom was not to be missed. 

To keep the accommodation simple, I was taking the Van down and staying at the Caravan Club’s Blackpool South site just outside the city. The day started with a leisurely loading of the van before hitting the road about 9. It is just over a 3 hour drive down the A702, A74m, M6 and M55 to get there and I was in no hurry. The drive was uneventful and I had Damian Lewis reading Diamonds Are Forever to keep me company on the way down. Talking books on long journeys are brilliant as you really have time to get into the story. 

The campsite was achieved about 1pm and since I hadn’t brought the awning, pitching up consisted of putting the roof up and plugging in the electrics. Then I pulled the bed down to get some zzz in before the night’s dancing. 

Night came and after getting showered and changed, I got a taxi into Blackpool. The club had arranged a flat £10 fare into the city and it wasn’t long before I was on the seafront. Being early as usual I took the opportunity to look around. Most things were shut but the arcades were still open. I resisted the temptation to spend money in them and got to the ballroom. 


It was looking fabulous as we waited for the start. First up was a 1hour workshop which round about the intermediate level. I’m guessing that not too many complete beginners would have decided to go to such a night. 

Then the music and dancing started. The floor was just right and there were folk from all over to dance with. I managed to dance until about 12:30am at which point my legs were beginning to fall off. So taxi back to the van and fortuitously I had put the bed down before heading out so I dropped into my sleeping bag and on to the land of nod. 

Sunday I awoke early due to the birds singing their hearts out at 6am. Packing up (which consisted of putting the roof down and unplugging the electrics) I was on my way home. A fantastic night was had by all and the van proved quite handy with the whole night out costing maybe £60 all in. Have to do it again sometime.