The circus.  It's a strange thing that I've spent many years reading about the circus, especially when I was a child, but I've never actually been to a circus or at least, I hadn't until very recently.

I saw a competition in the local paper for a family ticket to the circus (a people only circus) and thought I'd enter.  Well, we won, so off we went.   In years gone by the boys have seen the tents and asked to go but the price (£40 [$70] for 4) had really put me off.

A bright red and yellow tent greeted us.  It wasn't very big, maybe seating 150 or so and inside was, frankly, a bit smelly!

Then the show began....  Some of the acts were very good and some of them were .... not.  There were performers from all over the world.  An American couple did an excellent trapeze act.  -

Two men from China did a strong man act and juggled with a heavy clay pot. 

A man from Berlin had an act with a diabolo and chose a fantastic piece of music for his backing track.. 'Hevenu Shalom Alechem', a traditional Jewish song.

A couple of girls from Eastern Europe (I think) showed themselves to be excellent gymnasts.

I spent the first part of their act checking the 'safety man' was doing his job properly!

Now, if someone had shown me how to climb a rope like this lady did, I might have stood some chance of success!

Some of the acts were like a rather bad talent show and the accoustics of the place were dreadful i.e. I could hardly hear what the ringmaster was saying most of the time!

I don't envy the performers their job.  It must be hard work being on the road all the time and whilst performing might give them a buzz and 'seeing the world' might hold an attraction, I'm not convinced that emptying the toilets (buckets) and setting up and taking down all the equipment can be much fun.

All in all I am glad we went but am thankful we didn't pay to go.  I'm glad too that the boys have decided, "We're NEVER going to the circus again, mummy!"