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 When I found out that Kharis & Asher were receiving a second JGP assignment to Sheffield, England, I immediately locked Juris in a cupboard so that I could book my flight. After all, an opportunity to visit Marks & Spencers cannot be allowed to pass!
Of course, Kharis and Asher were well aware that this time, it wasn't about the skating, it was about my outfits! After all, when one returns to ones homeland for a competition, it's a moral imperative to look ones best!(And to start speaking like the Queen!)
I had only been to Sheffield once before, many moons ago, but being a fan of the Full Monty, was quite excited at the possibility of more than usually interesting off ice activites. Alas, i was doomed to disappointment (sorry Jon!) There were quite a lot of drunk people lying outside pubs though, and no, i wasn't one of them!
 The rink was a beautiful facility, with a lovely cafe and bar, which reminded me of my salad days at Queens Ice Club in London. It was so lovely to see so many old friends, including Courtney Jones and Bobby Thompson, Vivienne Dean, Vivienne Keirle, Sarah and Alice Hanrahan, Nick Russell, Joan Slater, Vanessa Riley and Haig Oundjian. Made me quite nostalgic. Nice to see so many ex skaters getting into top class judging too, great for our sport.
Kharis and Asher skated a great cha cha, but found themselves in 12th, which was a bit of a mystery. Then Asher managed to draw 1st to skate in the OD, which necessitated me taking him outside and bashing him with my hand bag. But not for nothing are they twice Canadian champions. On the morning of the OD, Asher managed to kick Kharis in the knee, requring medical assistance. This was a bit difficult to get, as we coaches were trapped in the penalty box, and had to walk on the ice to get out the door. However, while Kharis bled to death, i tottered heroically across the ice on my high heels, only to find that it wouldn't open from my side. Mindful of the fact that I've already broken my hip once this year, i resorted to bellowing "Oi,Oi" through the hole in the glass until somebody noticed my plight. Once Kharis was stuck together, normal service was resumed, and they proceeded to blast out their African themed OD to thunderous applause, and leap into 6th place in the od. After this I tottered orf to the hospital, as i had a few bits dropping off, and I have to say that the much maligned National Health Service was very good to me. Could possibly be because the doctor was very interested in picking my brains about moving to Canada, but whatever gets the result!
 Due to their stellar OD performance , Kharis and Asher got into the much desired third group for free dance, which apart from anything else meant we didn't have to practice in the middle of the night, and performed after the flood. It was another great skate, another 6th place, and moved them to 7th overall, which was fabulous, or as Paul would say, fabulash!
The other highlight of the trip was spending time with my sister Sally, her husband, the infamous "Flat Eric", and my best friend Daphne Frysiek, who lives in the U.S. Sally and Flat are becoming a regular feature at the JGP, and will be pitching up at the final to cheer on Vanessa and Paul in Poland in December. Daphne and I have been friends since we were 7 years old. Since we both hit the magic 50 this year, it was fun to compare wrinkles, lack of eyesight, walkers, hot flashes etc. It doesn't matter how long it is since we last saw each other, it is like no time has passed. Daphne, Sally and I raided Marks & Spencer on the Sunday with cries of "will this fit in my suitcase, do you have this in a smaller/bigger size, the Americans already bought those, they shed everywhere, lets have a coffee, is there a shirt big enough for Juris/small enough for Jon, do i really need more knickers, bras, tights, boots, shoes???????, put that down, you've got 500 black jumpers already!" It was a marvellous afternoon which went by all too quickly. It's always like that with best friends.
On the last night it was my misfortune to be right next door to the party room, so not much sleep was got by anyone, including me! And yes Asher, I do know you were in the stairwell at 3.00am, my spies are everywhere. While changing planes at Heathrow,and transfixed by the available shopping, I managed to leave my boarding pass in the bathroom.(Don't ask!)I think it was because I'd just asked the price of a ring at Christian Dior and been told it was $12,000.00 I'd just pitched up at the seafood bar, perched on a stool, ordered a smoked salmon sarnie and a pint of chablis, and was preparing to call The Husband at vast expense on the cell phone, when I realised what I'd done. "Oh dear" I trilled (well, that's the clean version of what I said) then in my best Terminator impression "I'll be back!", I sprinted back to the washroom. Which was occupied. For AGES!!!!!! I got some very funny looks as i was hovering outside, but when I did manage to get in, no boarding pass! YIKES!!!! Frantic about the state of my sandwich, as well as imagining what i might have to do to get another boarding pass (i'd already had to take my boots off 3 times) I threw myself on the mercy of the Air Canada representative. "I'm so sorry, I left my boarding pass in the loo" I whimpered(not for nothing do I have a gold medal in drama!) After a timely pause, she whipped out my pass from under the counter, some angel of mercy had handed it in. Joy was universal, I kept my boots on, and my sandwich was waiting at the sea food bar when I returned, sweaty but ready for flight. Next time I'll take my broomstick!
Until the next time.......................................................!
Carol
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