My Tribe of Doris experience

Off to Stanford Hall on Wednesday 10th August with Rosie and Pam.  We had been listening to our choir leader, Yvette Staelens speak of the Tribe of Doris for the last few years.  We finally succumbed and decided to come along to see what it was all about.  I thought there would be photographic opportunities too.

We arrived just after 12 pm and after a little bit of confusion, parked and located our yurt.  We were having lunch - with glass of wine when the rest of our yurt companions arrived - Mirren, Jenny and Jane.  4 pm was the opening ceremony and then the first chance to sample some of the workshops.  Pam tried the didgeridoo but Rosie and I walked around to see what was about.

Last minute setting up

Met Pip, the watercolour artist who painted three paintings for us

The therapy part of the camp

Waiting for the opening ceremony to start

Opening ceremony

Watching opening ceremony

Dancing

Pam in dig workshop

Rosie, Alphonse and Yvette

Had dinner at Scoff and Relish and a very large brownie from Doris cafe then a fairly early night.

On Thursday I joined the Tai Chi class at 8 am led by Olu.  Learnt lots.  It meant a late breakfast but was worth the wait.  After an excellent full English breakfast, I joined the Samba Reggae class with Rosie and Pam.  This was very energetic but enjoyable.  I used the excuse to take photos while I was catching my breath.  After lunch and a walk around the estate, I joined the flamenco class.  I only managed about half an hour but Rosie stayed the distance.  Dinner at Scoff and Relish and some partying before returning to the comfy beds in the yurt.

Samba Reggae

The Coffee Cabin where I was able to have my daily fix of espresso

I was asked if I could take the children on the stilts

Flamenco classe with Felipe

Woke to a beautiful sunrise.  I had to walk the five minute's to the toilets at the stables so took the camera with me.  Then Tai Chi, breakfast and I mooched around until lunch at the yurt.  Joined Yvette's singing class in the afternoon and took the tour of Stanford Hall in the afternoon, which was fascinating.

Sunrise pics 

Our very comfortable yurt

IN the stable courtyard

Lots of stuff to look at when you are mooching around

Look out for these masks, made by some of the children, later

Rose Garden at Stanford Hall

After Tai Chi and breakfast on Saturday, I took a walk with Rosie and Mirren.  Then it was rehearsal with Yvette for the performance tonight.  Performances were enjoyable but I only lasted until 1 am before I returned to the yurt.

Statue of a favourite dog in the grounds

Rehearsal with Yvette

Photographing the photographers

Making up

The performance schedule

Jan, one of the volunteers taking a break

Artist at work

Getting more seats

Chilling out

Lots of things to buy

Another Coffee Cabin image

Back to lunch at the yurt

Tempting trousers 

Dressing for the performance

Pics from the performance and surrounds

Rosie with Pam behind

Remember those masks?

Pretty in Pink - Vic and Pam

A lie in the next day, well until 7.30 am.  I heard a sound I recognised and reached for my camera.  Took awhile for my eyes to open but managed to take a pic of the hot air balloon going past the yurt.  The last breakfast, a double, double espresso to keep me awake for the journey home and the closing ceremony before home time.

Virgin hot air balloon

Pam's space

We displayed our paintings done on Wednesday in the yurt

Getting ready for the rehearsal for Alphonse's composition

Mirren and Vic

Alex took the Acting and freeing your mind workshop

Deborah's henna

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

A final purchase?

That was my Tribe of Doris experience although I have left lots out.  Dancing and drinking in the Rum Shack was one memory without a photo.

Next trip is Cornwall with mum in September.