Killay Tour

Another gloriously sunny evening saw Sweyn’s Ey Morris heading out to Killay in West Swansea. This is a particular favourite annual tour for myself and Geoff, as it is local to where we live and means we can walk – which in turn means neither of us have to be the designated driver.. Cheers!

We started out at The Village Inn in Killay precinct, where for much of the time we were watched by a grand total audience of one. Whilst we are always sad when our tremendous dancing skills are missed out on, this was augmented in part by Roger buying the entire side a round of drinks in celebration of Alison’s recent birthday just before we started. Happy birthday Alison B!

Our disappointing audience quickly turned into several more people, including a lovely couple who were utterly delighted to see us: “I was having a rubbish day and you’ve totally cheered me up” said the guy (or words to that effect…) So chuffed were we to have appreciative watchers that we did a few extra dances over and above what was planned. This was too much for one of Geoff’s bell pads, which decided to slip down right in the middle of some vigorous furry capers (probably – that’s an actual proper Morris term by the way). Fortunately with a subtle sideways shimmy, Ken saved the day and swapped in and back out again with Geoff, ensuring the show went on. Smooth.

Following a delightful photo shoot by the said appreciative couple, off we went to the Railway Inn, conveniently located right next to the Clyne cycle path ensuring a continuous stream of cyclist of all persuasions dropping by to sample the establishment’s top tipple. Livesaver comes highly recommended, proving beyond doubt that drinking beer really does save lives..

In the fading light we performed a good number of our side’s staple dances, alongside the wonderful y Casig Eira, an Actual Welsh Dance from Nantgarw. Our lovely audience clapped and cheered, took group photos with us and generally made us all feel warm and fuzzy inside. Well, perhaps not all of us. But it is always a good thing to know we have put a smile on people’s faces, despite the fact that we have to wear silly outfits and throw ourselves about in a jangly sort of way to do so.

When the light began to dim, the midges began to munch and the beer began to call, we retired to the safety of the gazebo and a few of us played some folky tunes and yarned with two lovely guys, one from Spain, the other from Bosnia, who said they’d had the best time. Drinks were offered all round and were taken up by some, before we said goodbye to what had been a wonderful evening.

(For the pedants amongst you, the dances we performed are in one of the additional photos on FB.)

Words and photos by Di (and a couple of randoms took the group shots).