TRACK 26

Conversation 1

A: What are you up to later?
B: Oh, I'm going to a belly dancing class.
A: You're doing what?
B: Belly dancing. You know, like......
A: Yeah, I know what it is. I just had no idea that you did that.
B: Well, I don't really. It's actually the first class.
A: Oh, OK. So why belly dancing?
B: I have been thinking about doing something to get a bit fitter and I have never like sport particularly. I find jogging and swimming and stuff like that a bit boring, you know --- and then I saw the class advertised and I thought it would be fun.
A: Yeah, I guess so. I should really do something as well, I have put on five kilos since January.
B: Really? It doesn't look it. You have got a lovely figure.
A: Well, I don't feel like I have! And I'm really unfit. I had to run for the bus this morning and it took me 10 minutes to get my breath back!
B: Well, why don't you come with me?
A: I don't know. I think I would feel a bit self-conscious.
B: Come on! You can't be worse than me. I'm totally uncoordinated! It'll be a laugh.
A; Well, maybe.

Conversation 2

C: Are you around this weekend at all?
D: No, I'm going to a fencing workshop all day Saturday.
C: You're going where?
D: This fencing workshop. It's like a master class with this top Russian fencer.
C: Wow! I didn't even know you did fencing. How did you get into that?
D: Oh, we actually used to do it at school. In PE, we had the option to try out all kinds of sports and I just really got into it, and then I joined a club, and then I started competing a bit more seriously, you know.
C: I had no idea. Well, what about Sunday? I'm going to have a wander round the flea market in the morning.
D: To be honest, I think I am just going to have a lie-in and chill-out at home. I'll be exhausted after Saturday.
C: Fair enough. Just the thought of doing that kind of exercise makes me sweat!

Conversation 3

E: What're you doing this evening? Do you fancy meeting later?
F: No, I can't. I have got my ... u,m ... my, um, knitting group tonight.
E: You have got what?
F: My knitting group.
E: Since when?
F: I have been doing it for about six months now. I took it up because I was giving up smoking and a friend suggested doing it. She said it'd give me something to fiddle with instead of cigarettes, so I joined this group and it's been really good. I feel so much healthier now and I actually really like the knitting. I just find it very, very relaxing.
E: OK, but isn't just full of old women, this group?
F: No, not at all. Well, I mean, I am the only man, but most of the women are quite young.
E: Ah.
F: What? What's 'Ah' supposed to mean?
E: Nothing.