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Ilkley, United Kingdom

Absolutely nothing interesting happened today until Diane got home and we got our hoop on. I bought it with me because I thought it might be fun and it was! We pushed back the furniture, I gave a demonstration and then Diane gave it a whirl and what a whirl she gave it! Eventually she got it spinning but the highlight was her version of the trick where you twirl around inside the hoop while it’s spinning. The idea is to do it one smooth move as opposed to shuffling like a decrepit old man looking for a fight. Still, she took the trick and made it her own and was sufficiently proud of her effort to call her neighbour, Maria, to come and watch.

I’ve neglected to mention in earlier entries that I’d previously met Maria in passing a couple of times already and each time was struck by her casual glamour and good nature. She joined us joyfully, giving the hoop a spin and entertaining us with stories from her day.

I complimented her on her hair which always seemed to be in a perfect, thick bun which she wore atop her head with fabulous fifties flair. The last thing I expected was for her to pull it out and expose her secret weapon – a hair bun ring doughnut! Now apparently these things have been around forever but this was the first I’d heard of them.

There’s something in the Northern English personality that feels somehow familial to me and I think it has to do with growing up without much money and making do with what you’ve got. While I was marvelling at this ingenious invention that Maria was now wrapping my own locks around, she and Diane were discussing the DIY alternatives to such high-falutin mumbo-jumbo that they’d employed in leaner times.

For the long haired amongst you, I now wish to share with you the techniques I have learned this very night. No elastic? No worries! Simply take a sock and wrap it around your makeshift bun and voila! Alternatively, when you need your hair up more than your pants, simply whip off that g-string and likewise, wrap it round your tresses until secure and a little bit sexy.

I couldn’t have asked for a more entertaining and educational evening.

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