[Pedro the Fisherman]

I had spent several months trawling the internet to give me more information on Level 1 courses at HAI before I rolled up on a warm Saturday evening in late May. The courses normally run Friday evening to Sunday evening, but this was on a public holiday Monday, so it ran Saturday to Monday. This timing may have helped towards the large crowd in the grand entrance hall at the 19th century stately home called Buckland Hall in mid Wales. I knew the area a little, but had never entered this imposing building before.
The hall was now used for corporate training courses and business symposiums etc. It had a super reputation for it's organic (vegetarian in our case) food too.

My researching hit gold about two weeks before the course when a US forum discussed these courses and what to expect. The poster copied a whole schedule for a level 1 weekend from the US. I guessed (correctly it transpired) that HAI follows the same pattern, the world over. I printed this off and decided to refer to it in detail. It gave information on every exercise we would be covering, including at what time disrobing would occur (mid morning, of first full day) and what we would be expected to do within couples, small and large groups. This gave me the chance to pick a partner or partners, knowing what was coming next. I doubt if any other first time (about 80% of us) had this information. The remaining 20% were HAI members, either redoing level 1 (allowed as many times as you wish) or brought in to give gender balance if there had been some last minute cancellation.

We signed a confidential non disclosure paper and were given sticky name badges. I went to my room, shared with another guy, but although his bag was already on the bed, there was no sign of him. The room had no view and was rather dark, I later found out, there are some super rooms there and I was just a bit unlucky. On returning downstairs, I discovered the ‘common room’ an enormous drawing room with books to borrow and free tea and coffee available. Dinner would be in 30 minutes, so I made a coffee and sat down near two ladies and a guy who were chatting about joint friends.

One lady smiled across and said, “you look a newcomer to me, is this your first weekend?” I said I was and it is and also mentioned that a friend who I met at Cortijo Romero recommended the course to me. J****e had mentioned a good mate of hers would be on the course, and had given me a brief description of her....the second lady fitted the description (about 50, long hair tied back, round face with glasses and a huge chest!!) “Oh, not a lady from ******* was it?” said the large chested lady, being careful not to name J****e. “Yes, it was" I said. Are you the friend she told me to seek out for any advice I might need at the beginning of the course?”. “I am indeed" she said. “later, after supper, we will all gather in the big hall to begin. Everyone will be asked to look around and find a ‘buddy’ of the opposite sex, make sure you sit near me (we sat on a mat on the floor) and when we are asked come next to me. I'll be your ‘auntie G' for the weekend”.