A brief detour to Bristol

I really must be more organised about attending juggling conventions in future. Too many last minute dashes across countries and continents is exhausting.

Yesterday was the Bristol Juggling Convention, a smaller affair by far than the EJC, but still worth attending. Like the EJC it runs for a full week, and this time I made it for the first day instead of the last. Unfortunately, the first day was a rather low key affair, as many people used to the earlier part of the day to simply get to the convention and set up their tents (did I mention it was held in a campground? My muddy socks at the end of the day were testament to my lack of preparation...). Sadly, I lacked both a both a tent and a sleeping bag so I wasn't staying, although I was kindly offered the use of a tent by an alarmingly lithe dance instructor.

The day wasn't a waste by any means though. Small, in this case, also meant that it was more intimate affair than the EJC, and I realised just how close knit a community contact jugglers in this country are. Everybody really does know everyone, and it wasn't long into any conversation before we discovered who we knew in common. And I did get to put faces to a few names I'd only encountered on internet forums before.

And as always I got in a good bit of practice, was awed by the talent on display, learned a few tricks and taught a few tricks. And again, I promised myself and others I'd attend for longer next year. My calendar is getting quite full already! The British Juggling Convention takes place in Norwich in April, the EJC is in Northern Spain in July, and the Bristol Juggling Convention is in September again. Somewhere in between that I have to squeeze in a trip to Canada as well.

Also importantly, I learned where contact jugglers in London congregate on a regular basis - in Camden on Wednesday evenings. I shall make an effort to attend, particularly now that the days are getting chillier and darker. My lunch times lately have been spent practicing in the nearby parks, and I've been making a point of stopping off in St James's Park on the way home from work for a spot of practice before catching my train home. Neither will be an option for much longer, so I'll be glad of somewhere to hone my skills over the course of the winter.

All this practice! Now I just need to actually get good! :)