I suppose that if I had to put a name to this year's Sore Fingers I'd probably call it "Foggy Morning Breakdown". Rainy weather and some organisational things that didn't work despite Cap'n Wirtz's best efforts. Easter came early this year so there was lots of cold fog and rain making things unpleasant for campers and for those brave hearts contemplating an early morning run. Otherwise you don't notice it too much - too hung over or short of sleep or possibly all three to notice. And you're inside most of the day anyway.

So: On Sunday afternoon, at about 4 of the PM there was a whole bunch of us that got off the train from Paddington. "Just wait here, Moira told me there'll be a bus from the school to meet all the trains this afternoon" says I, having been assured of the fact by the lady herself the previous day. "It's in the joining instructions, didn't you read them?" said she. Well actually yes I did and no it's NOT mentioned, at least not in my copy. We sat & waited for a good while, the SFSS emergency contact telephone number still didn't work so finally Laura(?) rang her dad. Luckily he was on his way to the school in his campervan and gave us all a lift.
Thanks to both, much appreciated!

Check-in was just as smooth and painless as last year. Another low bed in Durham House and a new complement of dormitory chums. Amongst whom none other than the other half of Champion the Wonder Horse from last year, Cliff himself.

Mostly Sore Fingers worked pretty well again this year: Gill, Cap'n Wirtz and his lovely Ukulele Lady Moira and the rest of the organizers managed to get most of it right.
Absolute top-notch tutors, reasonable  tucker in the Refectory and not too many wounded feelings after the daily Battle Of The Scratch Bands. Well, except my feelings perhaps - waddya mean I'd never make a great belly dancer Mary!?

Apart from the non-appearance of the bus at the railway station the only slightly discordant note for the old hands (=someone who was there last year) was possibly the record number of attendees.
Meals in shifts, what next!? It worked quite well actually.