06/08/2026
Sometimes you don't realise how much you've missed something until you're back doing it.
After my holiday in Bali, I headed straight to Adelaide to honour a workshop I'd committed to before taking my break. I wasn't quite ready to come back to everything just yet, but I'm honestly so grateful that this was the one event I had waiting for me.
What a special weekend.
If I'm being honest, I was a little nervous walking into that first workshop. After taking some time away, there was a small part of me wondering if I'd lost my touch.
I needn't have worried.
From the moment I turned that mic on, I was in the zone. Adelaide made it so easy. From the second I walked through the doors, I felt welcomed, appreciated and reminded why I love doing what I do.
To everyone who came along... thank you. The effort you all put in didn't go unnoticed. You stayed on the floor, asked questions, laughed, challenged yourselves and just kept wanting to learn. You worked your butts off all weekend, and as an instructor, that's all I can ever ask for. Teaching a room full of people who genuinely want to improve is one of the most rewarding feelings there is.
A huge thank you to Emma Faye Kickin’ It in the North Linedancing for inviting me. In just 12 months you've created something really special for line dance in Adelaide. The support, encouragement and genuine love in that room was obvious from the moment I walked in.
I have to say, you really did your homework 🙏🏻
You'd researched that it was competitive horse riding that first led me into line dancing all those years ago, which I thought was such a thoughtful touch. You found me the most beautiful accommodation tucked away in the countryside—peaceful, scenic, modern, yet with that real country feel that is so me. It was the perfect place to switch off after a big day.
Then there was an unforgettable day exploring the Barossa Valley, horseback riding through the Jacob's Creek vineyards, seeing a little more of beautiful Adelaide... and somehow there was also a never-ending supply of espresso martinis! 🍸😂 Every little detail had been thought of, and I genuinely appreciated all of it.
One thing that really made me smile was finding out that I had actually judged Emma in competition when she was just 16 years old. I honestly have no memory of it, but hearing that made the whole weekend feel like one of those special full-circle moments. Funny how life works sometimes.
I'm still taking the rest of August for myself before getting back into a full schedule in September, but this weekend reminded me why I've dedicated so much of my life to line dance.
Thank you, Emma and everyone that attended for your incredible hospitality and friendship, and for spending the weekend with me. It's been 25 years since I was last in Adelaide, and you all made the return one I'll never forget.
Dances taught
FLIP A QUARTER by Janet Kearney
BABY BLUES CHA by Simon Ward Linedance & Shane McKeever Dance
MOVE LIKE FIRE by Jamie Barnfield
OPALITE by 🙋🏻♂️
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF by 🙋🏻♂️ & Jo Thompson Szymanski
I'll be back ❤️
