Question 1

A Mile to Ride: Book 26 Bars 1-4, instructions say that 1st couple finish below 2nd couple which would suggest that 2nd couple don't step up or down, yet the diagram shows the 2nd couple in top place at the start of bar 5,so do they step up on bars 1 & 2 & back down on 5 & 6 or stand still?

Answer

The republished edition of the book, in 1994, does not include the diagram and there is no instruction to step up or down, so 2^nd couple should not move.

Question 2

Bars 25-28.  Do the 1st couple dance towards each other on bar 25 to then lead up, cross & cast,or can they advance towards each other on bar 24 on the last setting step?

Answer

1^st couple dance towards each other on bar 25, 1^st man pulling back by the right at the end of bar 25 to face up.