Celtic Culture

***WARNING*** *If you are new to our Meet Up or haven't attended any class for months, please, BEFORE signing up to a conversation class, send an email in French to Christian at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com ; Anyone -* aforementioned - *signing up to a class before getting an agreement will be removed from the list. Thanks for your cooperation.* You want to improve your fluency, your pronunciation and your French skills? You want to get more vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of French, the French and France? You want to speak on various topics with the support of a French native tutor? Each week, we come up to a different theme. It pushes your conversation skills up. It helps you to speak about many topics and to interact in French in multiple contexts. Regular attendees learn a lot, make improvements and are able to have a chat about numerous topic! The bonus, you will be able to ask questions to an authentic French native! **THE CLASS:** This is a face-to-face conversation class lasting 60 minutes run by a French native & professional tutor (in London since 2016). This is a Conversation Class dedicated to French learners who struggle to have a spontaneous conversation. If you think your French is rusty, if you feel not really comfortable to interact among a group of other French speakers, this class is for you (if not sure, send a message in French to the organiser). The class goes on an adapted pace with a first part dedicated to a chit-chat and then we'll focus on a short text to learn about French culture and the language. We approach the theme, read a short text (you get a copy for the session), speak, learn vocabulary and things about French culture. The theme is always linked to French, the French and France. At the end, we wrap up and keep a few minutes for some miscellaneous questions. After the class, you will get an email with a list of vocabulary (some words / expressions seen along the class). This is a very small group class: maximum of 4 attendees and a minimum of 2. So you will speak directly to the tutor. During the class, the tutor helps you to structure and improve your phrasing, and to develop your understanding. **IMPORTANT** If you are new to our Meet Up, please send ASAP an email at frenchlondonexperience at gmail dot com to introduce yourself, to check your level, to confirm your space and to get the Bank details for payment. **PRICING:** You can pay each time or by block (then you save money) \- £15 per session \(to be paid when signing up by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) \- £60 for 6 sessions \(to be used within 3 months \- to be paid in advance by bank transfer \- Bank details on request\) People who sign up without paying will be removed from the list. If, after your first attendance, you decide to subscribe to the offer of £60 for 6 classes, you add £45 and then you incorporate your first class in the subscription. The pricing is made to encourage you to attend more regularly as improvements will come with regularity. **TERMS & CONDITIONS** If you are to join, you are more than welcome to sign up. But, please, if you have an unforeseen hitch, up date your status as soon as possible. As spaces are limited, if you don't turn up or if you cancel at the last minute, a space is wasted. Thanks for helping. \- Fees are payable at the booking \- No refund \(exchange for cancellation more than 12 hours before the start of the event\) \- No refund\, no exchange for late cancellation \(less than 12 hours\) or non\-attendance \- People who don't turn may be banned\. If the session is fully booked, please put your name on the waiting list but ONLY if you are sure to be able to attend the session. As soon a space becomes available, even at the very last minute, you will be on the attendance list. Then you will be expected to attend the session and it will be due, even if you don't actually attend. Thanks for your cooperation and thanks for understanding. Follow French London Experience [http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/](http://www.facebook.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/](https://www.instagram.com/frenchlondonexperience/) [https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian](https://twitter.com/FLE_Christian) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ZB8-AhXTeqNF9MwEySmeg Website: [www.frenchlondonexperience.com](http://www.frenchlondonexperience.com/)

NOTE FOR FIRST TIMERS/ NEW COMERS. PLEASE PREPAY FOR THE SESSION 24HRS IN ADVANCE. DUE TO A NUMBER OF NO SHOWS FIRST TIME ATTENDEES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST IF PAYMENT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED. Competitive badminton across three courts. Intermediate + We’re entering the Hillingdon League so we’re always on the lookout for league players. Session is £10 Standard accepted Intermediate to Advanced Either cash or transfer Samrat Kumar 74932705 • 040075 Grade A Feathers used Li-Nings, Yehlex, Ashaway 500, Snowpeaks.

For this online talk we welcome Julia Bell. Julia is a novelist, essayist and Professor of New Writing at Birkbeck, University of London. Julia brings a unique and inspiring understanding of creative writing and the value of writing together, even more so in the times we are living. She will give a 30-minute talk and then answer questions. Please see below about how to join this free, online event. Her talk is entitled: **Writing and Thinking Together** The context for her talk is: *At a moment when technology has created collective ADD (smartphones reducing attention by 39%), when adult education funding has dropped 45%, and when evening courses are disappearing, what happens when we lose the spaces where people sit together and practice thinking collectively? Julia has taught creative writing for 25 years to working adults - refugees processing war trauma, Brexit casualties navigating displacement, incels, students confronting structural racism, among many others. She argues that the writing workshop is one of the last spaces where we practice collective attention, empathy and democratic thinking in an age of algorithmic isolation.* And a note about some of Julia's published work: *Her new book, 'Between the Lines - a live-action classroom on the page' - is published by Simon & Schuster in May 2026. Her essay 'Radical Attention' is being reissued this summer with a new introduction by Grace Blakeley.* **How do I join this online event?** Simply write to me, Caprice Jackson, Queer Write's convenor, on this platform and I will send you the link. CJ

**ALBANIA - 27 April - 4 May 2026** On this tour you will see evidence of Albania’s history from being conquered by the Romans, the Ottoman rule from the 15th century, the gray and gloomy image in the 1980s to the colourful, warm country it has become. Albania has a beautiful coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas with pristine beaches and clear waters. Inland are rugged mountains with castles, deep valleys and clear lakes. We will visit some of the many historical treasures including the ancient city of Butrint and the well preserved Ottoman architecture in Berat and the mountain town of Gjirokaster. And we will have the chance to sample traditional Albanian cuisine which is known for its use of fresh ingredients, herbs and olive oil. Most meals are included and they are at wonderful restaurants. **Itinerary** **Day 1 : Tirana Airport - Fishte - Shkodra** Meet with local guide at airport/hotel and depart to Lezha. Lunch at Agritourism Mrizi I Zane Dinner and overnight in Shkodra **Day Two : Shkoder - Tirana** Breakfast at hotel In the morning we visit Rozafa Castle where the main cultural attraction is Rozafa Fortress, rising majestically upon a rocky hill west of the city, the outcroppings and battlements paint a blazing picture against the setting sun. From its ancient Illyrian walls and the medieval ruins of the Balshaj, to the Towers of the Bushatllinj, Rozafa Castle is a monumental testament to the beauty of an everlasting fortress Next we stop at the Venetian Art Mask Fabric, which displays masks styles and colors, that transport you to the atmosphere of the Venice Carnevale. But, here we are in Shkodër, where the passion, creative genius and business acumen of Edmond Angoni has enabled the creation of one of the most important mask factories in the world. Depart to Tirana (1 hr 50 minutes) Dinner and Overnight in Tirana **Day Three : Tirana - Cable Car - Tirana** Breakfast at hotel Visit Bunk’Art 1. This museum was built inside the atomic bunker of the dictator Enver Hoxha, which is located 5 kilometers from Tirana. It is built 5 floors underground and has 106 rooms. It is dedicated to the history of the communist Albanian army and the daily life of Albanians during the years of the regime Ride the Cable Car - Dajti Express. Located just 20 mins from the centre of Tirana, “Dajti Ekspres” provides it’s visitors with an unforgettable experience. Take the 15 minute trip up the Dajti Mountain on the longest cableway in the Balkans and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. At the summit, relax and enjoy the surroundings, take a stroll and enjoy the view. Tour of Tirana Free time and overnight in Tirana. **Day Four : Tirana - Berat - Vlora** Breakfast at hotel Explore the National Onufri Iconographic Museum. This is an Albanian national museum dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography in Berat, Albania. The museum is located inside the Church of the Dormition of St Mary in the castle quarter Berat. The museum was named to honor Onufri, a painting Headmaster of the 16th century and it features treasures from Albanian churches and monasteries. Wine tasting at Cobo Winery. Nestled in the Berat county, near the historic city in southern Albania, Çobo Winery continues a centuries-old family tradition. Immerse yourself in their stories and experiences as they bring them to life at their table. A tour of the facilities includes an extensive viewing of the wine making process and explanations, punctuated by alternating poignant and comic vignettes that paint a glowing picture of the family's history and the origins of their wines. Depart to Vlora Dinner and Overnight in Flora **Day Five : Flora - Butrint - Saranda** Breakfast at hotel Visit Butrint Archeological Park. Butrint National Park is a national park, located 18 kilometres (11 mi) south of Sarandë. Encompassing 9,424 hectares, the park boasts a fascinating blend of freshwater lakes, wetlands, and historical treasures. From the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, Butrint has witnessed a rich history, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological artifacts and structures. Today, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance, highlighting its significance on multiple levels. Dinner and Overnight in Saranda **Day Six : Saranda - Blue Eye - Gjirokastra** Breakfast at hotel Explore the Blue Eye National Park. Take a walk in the beauty of The Blue Eye, a natural spring with vibrant blue waters so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. The lighting in the early morning is particularly magical. The spring is an easy hike from the parking area on paved roads—enjoy the walk through lush vegetation along the way and refresh at the small cafe before you make the return journey back to the bus. Depart to Gjirokastra Gjirokastra City Tour. Start the walk throught the old town of Gjirokastra UNESCO Heritage Site. Slate-roofed houses, vertiginous streets paved with limestone and a castle assembled from rock hewn from the surrounding mountains. Albania’s ‘Stone City’ is a silvery beauty that shimmers in the rain. Of a great importance and interesting to be visit is the Castle, the old town & the bazaar, with its characteristic shops and great opportunity to interact with local folks. Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra. **Day Seven : Gjirokastra - Ardenica - Durres** Breakfast at hotel Departure to Ardenica Visit the Monastery of Ardenica. Ardenica has been an important historical, cultural, and spiritual center of the Orthodox Church for many centuries. Enjoy visit of fantastic interiors – particularly the iconostasis of saints and sinners, dragons and angels of the 18th-century Church of St Mary. Equally impressive is the golden pulpit, which positively heaves with adornments, not to mention the frescoes of the Zografi brothers that can be seen on display upstairs. Visit the Archeological Museum of Apollonia. This museum contains artifacts unearthed nearby from the ancient town of Apollonia and is housed in a 14th century building which was previously the monastery of St. Mary. The museum has 7 pavilions, a gallery and 2 porticos. An impressive collection of statues is located in a portico on the east side and number of historically important frescoes remain in the building from medieval times; these are mainly housed in the refectory. Fragments of inscriptions can be found on the walls and the museum also has a collection of medieval mosaics. Dinner at Winery Abala in Durres Overnight in Durre **Day Eight : Durres - Tirana Airport** Breakfast at hotel Depart Durres for Tirana Airport Price: **GBP £1580 per person not including flights. Single supplement GBP £220** Included: Accommodation in 3\* and 4\* hotels on a BB basis (seven nights) All transportation during the tour Local guide throughout the tour 1 x lunch at Agritourism Mrizi I Zane 5 x dinners at restaurants (3 course meal with water) 1 x dinner at Abuja winery (not including drinks) 1 x wine tasting at Coco winery All entrance fees for sightseeing, museums and cable car There are direct flights with British Airways, WizzAir and Ryanair. They all have morning flights and we will meet at the airport at 12.30pm and go directly to a wonderful country lunch. If anyone decided to fly the day before, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Tirana and brought to the airport to meet the group.

Speaking Practice with a hot drink in the coffee shop. £2.00 per person.

THIS MONTH FEATURING A PERFORMANCE OF HEALING SONGS WRITTEN RECENTLY IN INDIA FROM PENELOPE VIVERO Radical Faeries and Queer Spirits gather in south London at the Beltane Full Moon, a time when the veils are thin and nature spirits close. Taurus Sun and Scorpio Moon bring our attention to the union of matter and spirit, making Beltane a celebration of Life itself - long celebrated in pre-Christian Britain, Beltane may pole dances remained common in Britain until the 17th century. Radical Faeries have been part of the modern pagan reclaiming of the wild and free spirit of Beltane in our sanctuaries since the 1980s. Let's bring some of that Faerie Liberation to central London! Before we DANCE we will EARTH OURSELVES THROUGH HEALING SONGS FROM PENELOPE VIVERO - starting 8pm. Penelope Vivero, radical faerie devotional folk artist will take us on a musical healing journey, moving between stillness, deep feeling, and moments of joy and connection through song. After spending time in India, she has written a new body of work which she will be sharing for the first time at this gathering. We gather from 7 to set up the space and greet each other, cast a circle at 8pm for the healing journey after which we drum, dance, socialise and play through the evening. There's lots of drums and percussion to share around, you are welcome to bring your own instruments too, your own refreshments and maybe snacks to share. Entry suggested £5 - £10, cash at the venue, or via PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/shokti](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.com%2Fpaypalme%2Fshokti%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZVlKQno3TTQ4RjRLN2VpeXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5LqS1GEne5hAslMoFpAIV4czbJpbz6BRt-min2ov2V7QLojCSgNCXsnhgU5w_aem_Qyiz-k7fhdKAmvv5SmTqfQ&h=AT7cfRWf5q1Gi_2UwvvgVdLG2McSf8IE-amTNrE5xcSxoQ8NNOAxNQmC1x_HdBm_sneCJf3PRnn1lfoZK6RF0yrRoFS2el078fnSO9HbPAV_DR9DMQmZybjMhQNbpH5ffK52SR_C80JJ3Q&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT4q4ymPesQZEfzVBzadxMlTeElyzn1fzU-_Jf_hQxWCtv56-cIaQEGyGjwfrINSYDhk3MA6HyZn0z2OrhAcckZgILaLE1Cr4qQm1xg2M_iZm9kCa7YIh88-lG0-j7QWRbQekwvFzk_b1qPKujNuSPCNOMZpkA) NOTAFLOF - No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds. SIGN UP FOR EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AT [queerspirit.net](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fqueerspirit.net%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZVlKQno3TTQ4RjRLN2VpeXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6RbnA3ySQRPIDgbGG0d3PaBGO3nhlC5DH3MIkLh68hIPFDqI4y_rNCt7k6Vg_aem_CjHL9GsOgEV1DdTkObpluA&h=AT70RjmpNRCRjs8WccjuQx1FuLNEh1PzkHitmRJxnfc2moDvucqgNIEHePjarXWcfWgJAtDUMfUjzvNEiTVbk_b8L2NOqzxJCWWTjt5fJoLCEtVqb9VOIkbSWKcO52YrkHWYyt88Qoixlw&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT4q4ymPesQZEfzVBzadxMlTeElyzn1fzU-_Jf_hQxWCtv56-cIaQEGyGjwfrINSYDhk3MA6HyZn0z2OrhAcckZgILaLE1Cr4qQm1xg2M_iZm9kCa7YIh88-lG0-j7QWRbQekwvFzk_b1qPKujNuSPCNOMZpkA) Queer Spirit Circle has been bringing spiritual queers together to make magic since 2005, and at the Wheatsheaf Hall since Winter Solstice 2012. Usually around 50 or more people come along, this is a friendly and welcoming space, it's fun, inspiring and the rhythms and dancing can get quite ecstatic. Read more about the drum circle - [https://rainbowmessenger.blog/queer-spirit-circle/](https://rainbowmessenger.blog/queer-spirit-circle/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZVlKQno3TTQ4RjRLN2VpeXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5ZaGQzhvlEMeDvHcJP_JgUYYpaLB5AncBYarQZoZWkiiY3pUJC3i1sqN2kog_aem_4dwstLyVG1vyJKGRljvLzQ)

🧠❓ Bats, Balls & Brain Cells ❓🧠 Think you’ve got the brains to match your banter? Then rally your team and join us at Bat & Ball for a quiz night that serves up big laughs, brain teasers, and just the right amount of friendly rivalry. From sport and music to movies, general knowledge and the wonderfully weird, Bats, Balls & Brain Cells is a fast-paced, high-energy quiz designed to test what’s in your head (and maybe what’s fallen out of it over the years). Whether you’re a trivia titan or just in it for the team name puns, there’s something for everyone. 🏆 What to expect: * £50 Voucher for the winning team * Bottle of prosecco for 2nd prize * Mixed rounds to challenge every kind of brain * Picture and music rounds to keep things lively * Bonus challenges and sneaky curveballs * Plenty of laughs along the way **£3 ENTRY PAID ON ARRIVAL - INCLUDES £1 DONATION FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL.** Bring your mates, pick a legendary team name, grab a drink, and prepare to flex those brain cells. Because at Bats, Balls & Brain Cells, it’s not just about what you know… Think you’ve got game? Let’s play. 🍻

We turn the Wheel of the Year to mark the beginning of summer, and the return of warmth and life. We will honour the Pagan festival of Beltane with music, meditation and ritual. Led by Lindsay and friends. Heartspaces at Essex Hall is a vibrant and welcoming Unitarian hub in central London, open to spiritual seekers, existing Unitarians and curious newcomers. The Heartspaces programme is a series of weekly spiritual gatherings led by Unitarian ministers and volunteers across London. From the monthly Wednesday lunchtime session to the events every Thursday evening, Heartspaces encourages people to gather, share and discover together. Whether you are a seasoned Unitarian, a spiritual searcher or simply curious, find your space to grow.

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 📓 **HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 13:45-14:00 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 14:00-14:05 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 14:05-14:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 14:45 - We do a group conclusion of the things we discussed, and then we typically take a photo and go on our way :) If you don't want to be in the group photo, there's no pressure, it's just a way to close out the meeting. We occasionally have an unofficial social so the different groups can mingle afterwards too! **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend, and we operate on donations. If you'd like to donate to support our running costs, that helps keep our group self-sustaining. Donations are 100% voluntary, but your contribution is appreciated! QR codes to donate will be present. Tea’s and coffees and are paid by the individual should they wish to have them. **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * What will we talk about? What's the topic? The topic for the week is shared every week in the Whatsapp group before the session. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in 25+ countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/?hl=en) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club) 👈

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

**Pagans on the Patio! Summer/Fall Series** A casual gathering the first Thursday of each month. Time to relax, meet new people, and reconnect with old friends. There is no charge for the event itself and all are welcome but there are a few guidelines: 1. **You are expected to purchase food and/or drink to compensate the Cantina and our server.** 2. **No soliciting. Do not bring samples of your wares or brochures of your services.** 3. **Please respect the spiritual and political views of others that are present. No disruption of the peace.** In case of inclement weather, we will find seating indoors. I hope to see you there. Blessed be! \~ Cynthia ❤️---

*We can only take 13 women on this trip.* **The details...** Immerse yourself in the wild splendor of Scotland on this exclusive **women’s 8-day hiking** adventure. Misty moors, heather-clad hillsides, verdant glens, and ancient castles steeped in folklore will fill your camera roll by the end of this trip. ***Learn more about this all women journey here: [Highlands](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/hiking-highlands-scotland-2026)*** **A guided adventure:** Guided by experienced locals, explore the untamed hills of Glencoe and the Cairngorms during invigorating day hikes. Each evening, unwind and reflect on the day’s experiences, forging friendships and savoring Highland hospitality. This is more than a hiking trip. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich history and traditions. Learn about women-led crofts and take a loch plunge while wild swimming (followed by a steamy sauna). **What to expect...** * Hike in Scotland’s rugged Highlands and experience green Glencoe. * Visit a medieval castles and historic stone villages. * Soak up the history of Edinburgh’s city center. * Indulge in delicious and plentiful Scottish cuisine, including fresh seafood, local beer, and hearty breakfasts. * Traverse heather-clad landscapes while giving your body a good workout. (You must train for this trip.) * Enjoy restorative stays at beautiful hotels. **Wait, there's more...** * Bask in the beauty of the Cairngorms. * Hike with other Bold Spirit women who love to travel as much as you do. * Learn about rewilding and women-led crofting. * Shop along the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh. * Take the plunge into a loch for wild swimming and a shoreline sauna experience. * Stretch both your mind and hamstrings on this special journey. The best part? Our team **takes care of the logistics** so you can focus on enjoying a much needed vacation in beautiful Scotland. Are you ready to meet other women who love to hike and travel, plus see Scotland with professional guides? ***Learn more about this all women tour here: [2026 Hiking the Highlands Journey](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/hiking-highlands-scotland-2026)*** * Ask us questions here: [Tell me more about this trip](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/contact) * Learn about Bold Spirit Travel [here](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/about). * Rates start at $6195

**Caller: Richard Ades** **Band: The McKenzies** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!