Question:

During bars 9 -16, On bar 12 do the 1st and 3rd couples finish with their backs to 2nd and 4th couple, or with their backs to 3rd & 1st positions? Is the “left hands across” all the way round or just three quarters?

Answer:

Bars 9-10 1st & 3rd couples dance a complete turn RH, finishing in allemande hold, facing into the set.

Bars 11-12  1st & 3rd couples dance half way round each other, men passing left shoulder, to finish in the middle of the set, facing towards their original places (1st couple facing 1st couple's place), - during bar 12 all release RH and join up LH in the middle.

Bars 13-15  1st & 3rd couples dance LH across, nearly once round (more than 3/4).

Bar 16 1st & 3rd couples release LH and all pull back L Sh to turn completely round, moving slightly forward, (a "pirouette" movement), to finish ready for the reels of 4 across, 1st & 3rd couples are back to back with partner, 1M facing 4L, 1L facing 2M.

In practice the LH across is virtually all the way round, and the pirouette is then almost on the spot.

Note: Although we have referred to it as a "pirouette", a small travelling step is used to turn round.