So True .....

Hobble The Night Away!

Week 5 already and the injuries are piling up! Natalie's dodgy back is slowly recovering, apparently she was on so many painkillers last week she can barely remember dancing! Craig has had his hip operation and was back in his judging chair less than a week later. Respect. Patrick was also dancing with an injury, he damaged his wrist roller skating...why would you roller skate when you are in a dance competition? And finally (although I'm sure everyone else is full of aches, pains and blisters) poor Artem had his nose broken in rehearsals by the flying elbow of an over exuberant Natalie... Bless!

The doubly injured couple were up first tonight with a Samba which unfortunately was not my favourite of their dances...although I'm not over keen on the Samba to start with. Natalie seemed to be pulling a lot of strange faces (maybe it was the pain) and Len said she needed a tad more bounce. The ever enthusiastic Bruno said she was absolutely hypnotic, exotic and had a touch of the erotic. By the way...is it physically impossible for Bruno to talk whilst sitting down? They scored a total of 35 which should see them comfortably through to next week.

Abbey and Aljaz danced a beautiful foxtrot this week, don't they look gorgeous together? Bruno said it had the feel of a love letter set to music (they danced to Dear Darlin' by Olly Murs) and that they were so in tune. Len said it was wave after wave of effortless movement around the dance floor. I've just watched it again and I loved it....again. They got 35 points (the same as last weeks Tango)

I really don't know who is the daftest, Dave or Karen? She seems to have a wicked sense of humour and this Salsa was just a festival of fun with fruity headgear. As one of the judges remarked, Dave seems to have the unique ability of never letting his left leg know what his right leg is doing! Craig said he should have stayed on the trolley and they all seemed to agree that he was out of sync all the way through. 10/10 for entertainment but he only managed a total of 17 points from the judges....oh dear!

It was a Viennese Waltz for Deborah & Robin which had too much of the old unnecessary faffing about at the start...pushing a desk about! Darcey said it was an interesting twist to a Viennese Waltz but she liked it, but Craig thought Deborah's topline was a dis-aaaas-ter...Whoops! They got a decent score of 27, one mark less than their best score so far which was for the Quickstep.

Next up we had a severely hampered Patrick who was once again (in my opinion) over marked with 28 points, although he was five points down on last weeks ChaCha Cha. Poor Anya had to change the entire routine of this Salsa to compensate for his injured wrist.  They managed one lift where he sort of slung her up with his elbow.... least said. Lovely Len told Patrick he had done a really good job under terrible circumstances. Craig said he was very stoppy starty but he has good hips and great rhythm. My advice to Patrick would be, stay off the bloody roller skates.



Ah, the lovely Fiona and her knight in shining armour Anton with their best dance yet, the Quickstep. It had a lovely tea at the Ritz theme going on and the song, 'If my friends could see me now' was a perfect choice. Bruno said Oh yes, Fiona finally putting on the glitz and Len told Fiona that More confidence, more focus and more content equals more points. They got two 7's and two 8's to which Anton quipped that he hadn't had an eight since 1972.



Unfortunately this is a very unflattering picture of Rachel who came in for a bit of a bashing for her Paso Doble or Pascha Doble... ( I know... stop it Tracey).  She did keep in charecter after an acting lesson this week but she's just not the type to be mean and moody, Darcey said she could see that Rachel had worked hard (which I think is judge code for that was crap, but we appreciate your effort) but that she needs to be crisper and sharper. Len said that the Paso didn't suit her 'Smiley Riley' personality. Brono said it was hard to be a man eater and even though her dance had all the content, it seemed to be the vegetarian option. I'm afraid a not so good score of 22 might just see her and Pascha in the bottom two again.

Darcey thought that Mark was a real elegant gentleman as he danced this Waltz with Iveta and she praised the improvement in his top line. Bruno thought it was great performance and Craig though it was so much better than that ghastly dance last week. I think Mark does funny and serious equally well and I hope he is here next week for what I think will be a Halloween special. A score of 28 was their highest yet.

Ashley and Ola's Jive was fast and furious and they were in sync throughout. Len said it had speed, energy and plenty of Gertcha (which was what he thought was missing from last weeks performance) in all a terrific effort. For the third week running this team got a score of 31 with Darcey proclaiming this dance brilliant.

Susanna and Kevin next, a delight as always and as Bruno said, it's always sunny in Susanna land and he thought this American Smooth was a great performance. Craig had only one word to say - Gorgeous! Len said it was smooth, suave and sophisticated. I've loved all Susanna's dances so far and I'm hoping that she and Kevin will make it all the way to at least the semi-final. They scored 32 points for this dashingly dapper dance.



Now we come to Ben & Kristina with a Quirky Quickstep to the theme tune from Friends. Once again quite a lot of faffing at the start which prompted Len to say that it was about time everyone started to present fuller routines, you tell 'em Len. Bruno requested the full whack from Ben next time and Craig said he didn't feel that Ben was leading. They got 27 points and will hopefully do better if they are back next week.



I don't mean to be picky (oh all right then, I do) but that definitely wasn't the outfit Brendan was wearing for the live performance of this Cha Cha Cha, so once again this must be a rehearsal photo. In the show his T-shirt was black and the stripe down his trousers was white, which made them look even more like tracky bottoms than they do in this picture. I'm not entirely convinced that that's the same jacket either but never mind. They got middling comments and their lowest score (30) since week one (28) but I'm sure she'll be back next week and wowing us once again.

So that's it for another week, just the results to wait for now. I don't want to lose Rachel but I fear she may be in the bottom two again with... Ooo, I'm not sure this week, hopefully Patrick and Anya with Patrick going bye bye.

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RESULTS

Well, what a shocker... Deborah & Robin in the bottom two along with Patrick & Anya, so I thought that's ok, surely it will be Patrick going home, but no it was poor Deborah. I'm proper fuming for the first time this series and she was so upset bless her. It's a travesty, a travesty I tells ya. Pah!

                                                                                                                       Tracey 

Time To Bog Off Now!

It's not funny any more.....not when the little bastard is sat on the kitchen counter when you come down in the morning to make a brew, looking at you as if to say "Yeah, and what ya gonna do about it?"  I'll tell you what I'm going to do about it 'Jerry'..... I'm going to cry then I'm going to tell my Mummy and Daddy over you!

And believe me, they're not this cute in real life.........

                                                                                                          Tracey

I Want One!

How gorgeous is this chandelier? It's called 'Forms in Nature' and was designed by Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Greetings from Week 4 of Strictly Come Dancing 2013, where unlike in this picture no one has whipped out a 10 yet. There a few 9's being bandied about and the standard of dancing, with one or two notable exceptions is quite high for this early on in the competition.

Someone has obviously decided that there is far too much controversy surrounding poor Tess's dresses and plain and black now seems to be the way we are going on Saturday nights saving the slightly more risqué frocks for Sundays. 

So, let's meet the stars of our show....and first up tonight is the lovely Sophie with Brendan dancing a Foxy Foxtrot to 'Cheek to Cheek'. Her dress was beautiful...gold, pink and feathery (why they can't dress Tess more like this I don't know) and Darcey said Sophie had style and grace all the way through. They came away with 35 points which was only one less than they received for their epic Charleston in Week 2.

Next we had Fiona and Anton with a rather rocky Rhumba....all was not well on the dance floor. Poor Fiona, although she looked the part in her blue and silver Rhumba frock, it was one of the least sexy interpretations of this dance that I've seen. As Bruno said, she had issues with her balance and Craig added that her hips were stiff and plonky (this from the man who is having a hip replacement operation tomorrow!) and that she lacked rhythm. She did look wobbly and not at all comfortable to me and only got 22 points.

Mark and Iveta danced a Cha Cha Cha to M.C. Hammer's 'You can't touch me'. Mark was even wearing the requisite baggy pants and once again his performance was brilliant. You can watch it here. Craig told Mark that he was very flat footed and stompy and what little actual Cha Cha Cha there was, was bad. Len didn't agree saying Mark was full of talent and he wouldn't tell us what Craig was full of! I don't care what any of them think, I love him and he makes me smile every week. 26 points for this dance equalled last weeks score for the American Smooth.

Then we had Asley and Ola with the Viennese Waltz which I quite liked but the judges did not seem too impressed with. Darcey said it was a little too safe, Len said he needed a bit more gusto, Bruno added that it was tender and romantic but needed more woomph! Then they gave him 31 points ?? Make your minds up judges. 

The ever enthusiastic Julien was up next ( Janette has just danced out of this picture or he's thrown her out...) with a suspect Salsa which although it was his best effort yet probably won't keep him out of the bottom two for the third week running (unless he gets the sympathy vote). Craig thinks he lacks musicality and Len said he needs more control.  However he did receive his best score yet, 23.

Rachel and Pascha (Drool!) did a sort of Bonnie & Clyde themed Quickstep in which it seemed as though Rachel occasionally struggled to keep up, only slightly but it was noticeable. Bruno said she just about got away with it but needs more control and strength. Darcey reminded us all that the Quickstep is a very challenging dance and although Rachel lost posture a bit she also had lovely footwork. They went down one point from last week earning 26 points.

The biggest turn-around so far is Ben, who in the first two weeks looked like he might never 'get it' but last week suddenly upped his game, found his confidence and produced a ravishing Rhumba. Of course the worry was that it could have been a one off but noooooooo out he came with Kristina and gave us a sizzling Salsa. He smiled all the way through and they did some magnificent moves which you can see here. Ben now seems to be the full package and has moved in to my second favourite spot. (I'll tell you my top five at the end of this post). 31 points is Ben & Kristina's best score yet.

Unfortunately (and she did have a good go at it) the Jive isn't Deborah's dance. I don't think those shoes did her any favours but Robin looked good in his wig. Craig thought she was flat footed with very lame kicks and although Bruno thought it was light hearted fun, he said her technique wasn't strong enough. Her score of 23 wasn't too bad and will hopefully keep them out of the bottom two. Fingers crossed.

Natalie and Artem (Phwoar!) are sublime. How she produced such a great performance after missing two days training with a serious back problem is anybody's guess. She must be drugged up to the eyeballs bless her. It's great that she managed to perform this week but this could be the type of injury that may ultimately put her out of the competition. Let's hope not as she is a joy to watch. They got 35 points and the judges were all impressed although Len thought they faffed about a bit too much at the start. He's not keen on faffing about isn't our Len!

I have a problem with Patrick and Anya. I just don't think they are as good as the judges think they are. I don't find them memorable. I'm obviously not seeing what everyone else is seeing, Craig said they were absolutely brilliant and Darcey praised his inner groove. I don't think he's bad, he just doesn't have any wow factor for me. They got 33 points for their Cha Cha Cha and if he makes it to next week maybe I'll like him more.

Abbey & Aljaz danced a Tasty Tango and Craig was obviously on a roll with the praise as he whipped out an A-MAZE-ING!!! Len thinks they are a formidable couple full of snap, crackle and pop! They seem to be getting on very well which is giving them great chemistry on the dance floor and they scored 35 points this week.

Dave had his serious feet on this week with a very simple but pleasing waltz. Karen had tidied his look up (hair tied back and beard neatly trimmed) and he definitely looked the part in his smart suit. He is loving every minute and what's really nice and a testament to Dave's personality, is that Karen is obviously loving it too. They got their highest score so far (23) which is 6 marks better than their previous highest score.

Finally we come to Susanna and Kevin with a saucy Indiana Jones themed Samba. I loved it, they always look like they are having so much fun. The judging was a bit grumpy in places with Craig calling it a bit muddy and Darcey said it was a bit fuzzy with a couple of messy bits. However they scored 29 points which will hopefully be enough to see them safely through.

My current top five are....

1. Susanna & Kevin

2. Ben & Kristina

3. Natalie & Artem (Phwoar!)

4. Mark & Iveta

5. Dave & Karen

My bottom two are....

1. Julien & Janette

2. Patrick & Anya

RESULTS

Oh my...that was a bit close. Thought we were going to lose Pascha (Drool!) for a minute there as he and Rachel ended up in the bottom two with Julien & Janette. But never fear, the judges did the right thing and unanimously saved Rachel. Phew!

                                                                                                                Tracey

Jerry and Friend?

I hadn't seen Jerry for a few days so I thought maybe he'd finally succumbed to the funny food.... but either he's got a cast iron stomach or I've got mice instead of mouse.  I left a trap just to see, (not that kind of trap, although it may come to that). I placed half a crisp...I'm not wasting a full one, on the living room floor and of course it had gone the next morning. Now, unless next doors dog snuck in and ate the evidence then Jerry has a friend. Sigh!

Perhaps I should get a puddy tat!

Miaow!

How Many Days?

October the 16th is the 289th day of the year (290th in a Leap Year), and there are 76 days left until the end of the year, which means there are only 69 days to Christmas.....uh! oh! I said the C word, Sorreeeeeee! So, have you written your cards, bought your stamps, wrapped your prezzies? Only two more weeks and you can put the sprouts on. Please don't get carried away and put them on any sooner, you don't want to overcook the little boogers!

Speaking of Christmas trees.... what, we weren't? Well we are now, how about this for a clever version?

I might even have a go at this myself.  Purists will say that doing this will damage the books. I mean obviously don't use any first editions or signed copies, but books are meant to be enjoyed and you can always go and raid the local charity shop.  Won't be long before there aren't any real books anyway.........but that's another story.

                                                                                                           Tracey 

You Look Good On The Dance Floor

Week 3 and Brucie's back, recovered from the flu..... why hasn't he had his flu jab? Tess was wearing a very plain long red dress with a strange metal gold collar and a nude net strip like a tie down the front!
As it is Love Week, the opening number was wedding themed with James and Ola as Bride and Groom and Craig as a sullen vicar. This lovely dance culminated in Craig getting two plates of custard pie wedding cake shoved in his face which amused everyone no end. And so to the dancing....................

Abbey & Aljaz danced the Jive. Score 28

Not sure about the white knee socks Abbey and I'm not entirely convinced that things are improving with the dancing.  Abbey & Aljaz did such a good job in the first week but have not really got any better in my opinion. I didn't think her flicks and kicks were sharp enough or high enough and Craig said her timing was out at the start and that she lacked attack. There are a few worse dancers so Abbey has plenty of time to improve and needn't worry about imminent elimination.

Patrick & Anya danced the Foxtrot. Score 27



Not the best picture, Anya's head looks like it's about to drop off! The Foxtrot is a beautiful dance and I'm not sure Patrick did it justice. I still think he needs to tuck his bottom in and he is being over marked for his middle of the road performances! The judges seem to like him but.....he's just not doing it for me, yet.

Dave & Karen danced the Paso Doble. Score 16

Oh Dave, Dave, Dave.... you are a ray of sunshine on a shitty day. What a magnificently scary Paso face and the cape work was actually not bad. Len said this dance was like being waxed.... painful when it's happening and lovely when it's over. I loved it and his personality and enthusiasm are so strong who cares what his feet are doing. Magic!

Fiona & Anton danced the Waltz. Score 28



Yay! Fiona got through this without kicking Anton or messing up and it was a rather charming performance. Even Craig thought she was extremely elegant. Len compared her to a game of snakes and ladders...last week she went down a snake, this week she's back up the ladder. Anton was as polished as ever in this ballroom dance and they make a lovely dancing partnership.

Rachel & Pascha (Drool!) danced the Cha Cha Cha. Score 27

Rachel looked gorgeous as usual and the Cha Cha Cha suited her as she was much improved from last week. She still needs to break free of the shackles of being a good girl and tap in to her wild child. I'm very glad she is improving as we don't want to lose the yummy Pascha (Drool!) too soon.

Mark and Iveta danced the American Smooth. Score 26



Mark & Iveta danced to It Must be Love by Madness and as usual it was a lovely combination of acting and dancing. He is very light on his feet and all the judges agreed what a great storyteller he is. Darcey thinks he needs to use his height more but all in all good comments for a lovely dance.

Ben & Kristina danced the Rhumba. Score 28

Dancing the Rhumba could have been car crash telly for Ben after his last two rather stiff performances, but my goodness, what an improvement. He didn't seem nearly as nervous and it was quite a sexy performance. Kristina was understandably once again like the cat that got the cream. She would love to win and if Ben keeps improving like this she has a good chance this year.

Sophie & Brendan danced the Samba. Score 31



After last weeks Charleston, Sophie and Brendan were always going to struggle to get more points for their Samba, but it was still a great rendition. Darcey said that Sophie has natural timing and musicality and the content of the dance was fab. Bruno said it was a sophisticated Samba from an uptown girl. They are definitely one of this seasons best couples.

Julien & Jannette danced the Jive. Score 22

Julien certainly looked the part for this Blues Brothers inspired Jive and both he and Janette seemed to be having fun. However Julien seemed to be out of step a lot of the time and Craig said he looked like a three year old at a dance recital after ten bags of sweets! Bruno said it was full of whacky attitude but he needs to focus more on his timing. Len thought it was Julien's best dance so far.

Susanna & Kevin danced the Viennese Waltz. Score 34



I really like these two, it's a captivating partnership. This dance was romantic, soft and floaty and as Bruno pointed out Susanna has a natural feel for dance, both latin and ballroom. Darcey said she was getting better and better every week and I'm hoping they stay in to the final.

Vanessa & James danced the Tango. Score 20

Are they deliberately trying to make Vanessa look stupid? I'd like to know who thought that ridiculous hairdo was a good idea. And was that dress last weeks blue dress dyed purple with cap sleeves added? You only have to look at Deborah and Fiona to see that Vanessa is getting short shrift from the hair and wardrobe departments. Her dancing isn't as good as some of the others but it is better than the paltry marks she is being given.

Some people seem to want to turn Vanessa into this years comedy celebrity whilst Dave who is this years comedy celebrity is getting away with it and getting praised.

Ashley & Ola danced the Samba. Score 31



Another dress that Ola was nearly wearing, I thought it was love week not bondage week! Darcey said that Ben needed to lift his eye level (something I would have thought impossible for any red blooded male with Ola wearing that outfit). Len thought Ashley coped well with a difficult dance and Craig thought his hip rolls were absolute filth.....but he loved them.

Natalie & Artem danced the Rhumba. Score 36

Artem (Phwoar!) was delectable as usual and Natalie is rapidly becoming the best of the bunch this year. Bruno described her as beauty in perpetual motion and Darcey told her that she speaks with the whole of her body. Natalie did have a little trouble with her hair flying over her face but she managed to move it out of her eyes quite gracefully.

Deborah & Robin danced the Quick Step. Score 28



Finally we have Deborah & Robin who always appear to be loving every step. To me, Deborah seems to be looking younger every week and her hair and dress were particularly lovely for this Quick Step. I really enjoyed this dance and Bruno said that she is turning from a dragon into a butterfly. Even Craig liked it, saying that she puts a smile on his face. Darcey loves the pleasure that Deborah gets from dancing and Len said it was her best dance yet.

RESULTS

In the bottom two this week were Julien & Janette and Vanessa & James. Both couples improved on their first attempt at these dances, especially Julien. The judges must have thought so too as all four of them saved him and it was goodbye to Vanessa & James.

                                                                                                                   Tracey