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“ Ok don’t forget, tonight is dancing. “ Of course I had forgotten as my morning had been taken up mostly looking for a copy shop. I fear I am not on the wavelength of those who always seem to say, things like “ Straight ahead “ while making a sort of vertical wave. Even Google Maps is stumped by Argostoli. By the time my dear niece and I met for coffee in the afternoon, it was time to think about the dancing class.

This evening the dances started off in pairs, an island speciality, I think. There are a trio of youngsters who never miss a step and who are quite sober and restrained in their perfect time keeping. The engaging and humorous teacher keeps everyone on their toes… or heels as the case may be.

It is fun to observe from the sidelines. I particularly like when the teacher sings out a line and the class repeats it. It reminds me of the old fashioned call and response songs of French Canada.

There were a few youngsters playing outside on the steps and the teacher noticed them and called them in to join the group. He put two of the good teen dancers to flank them and off they went, following along with the deceptively simple looking round dance.

But conscious of the delicacy of the teacher isolating the two young men for this strange side to side “ dance” . I’ll have to ask Katy tomorrow about this!

The rhythm of the music was different tonight. A booming drum and sung choruses drove the dancers around the ring. The teacher taught them how to stamp with their heels without losing the beat. I am very sorry not to be able to load more video as it was hypnotic, and interesting to see who, among the dancers, didn’t quite get it. Tech problems!

I’m sorry to say my phone isn’t uploading one short video that shows another little girl in a pink sweater. My niece noticed her hanging back and she, of the 20 or so dancers went to take her by the hand and include her.

There is an expression “ The best steel goes through the fire “ I think I can say it applies to Katy.

And the teacher? Good humoured, absolutely sure of what he is doing, tactful, bringing together young and not so young so that even in trendy track shoes, in leopard-print pants and slogan t-shirts, something old and precious is maintained. Bravo to Christo – the teacher, and all his students.