Arms Out Like Wings

My first year at Ballet School was tough and my homesickness was extreme.  

I discover the agony and ecstasy of dancing in pointe shoes. These were of course so much more than shoes.  Every pair of every girls pointe shoes was individual to them.

Exams are a constant in life when training to be a Ballet Dancer. Major Exams are something else though and were treated with reverence. They involved more expemditure by my parents and a trip to London!

Friendships formed in boarding school can last for ever, such is the bond you have after growing up together.  

Miss Marsh was the 'Queen' of the Ballet School.  A total character with make-up, hair and clothes creating a terrifying vision that we worshipped and curtseyed every time she passed by.

Feeling like royalty in a lovely car, going to the top floor of Harrods for High Tea.

Christmas was a magical time at the school. One Christmas remains in my memory for all sorts of reasons . . .

We sooo looked forward to the end of term. It meant Trunks & Apple Pie Beds and then home sweet home

Time to move up to a new Dorm.  Lifetime friendships begin to take shape.  No more Nursey in charge but now we had to deal with Matron herself. . .

Becoming independent, escaping out of the school grounds undercover of bushes. Home clothes and doing our own laundry.