<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> <object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui> </object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve never considered myself to be luckier than most people, but the gods certainly seem to be smiling on me at the moment!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">It began last Friday when Nearest &amp; Dearest and me went along to a ceilidh or barn dance as they used to be called when I first began skipping and hopping to lively jigs in the far off times of my primary school days.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">This one was being staged as part of <a href="http://www.bignationalceilidh.co.uk/">Water Aids Big National Ceilidh </a>which they hold every year, encouraging as many morris sides and other organisations to put on events. <span>&nbsp;</span>The proceeds are used to supply fresh, clean water to developing countries.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The one we went to was put on by <a href="http://www.sgtmusgraves.force9.co.uk/">Sergeant Musgrave&rsquo;s Dance</a>.<span>&nbsp; </span>We had a great time, but dancing aside, incredibly my raffle tickets were drawn out not once but, FIVE times!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I can&rsquo;t remember when I last won ONE raffle prize, but 5 in one night is unheard of!<span>&nbsp; </span>Of course I only accepted one, (the biggest box of chocolates, I&rsquo;m not THAT altruistic!).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">On Monday I paid a quick visit to the English Folk Song and Dance Facebook page.<span>&nbsp; </span>For being one of the first 10 to write a short testimonial I won one of their pencils.<span>&nbsp; </span>O.K. it might not be much, but it is part of the trend!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">More lucratively, I opened the post yesterday to find TWO of my premium bonds had won &pound;25!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back it seems like I&rsquo;ve won something every 3 days so roll on Monday!<span>&nbsp; </span>Or maybe I&rsquo;ve had my lot?<span>&nbsp; </span>The power of three may have exhausted itself, things come in 3&rsquo;s so they say!</span></p>