Twirling batons and silk drapes.

The invitation had arrived without a stamp.

Whether it was delivered by hand, personally, or carried along with fliers offering horrible velvet sofas, we may never know.

The entrance was bigger than our first house. The house was bigger than the local multiplex.

And, there was a private 40 seat cinema, an indoor olympic-size pool and an old English sheepdog.

The dog seemed to be the wisest being there. Oh, but yes, the owner was gentle, sage, imaginative and funny.

We liked the funny part. And the closing ceremony…where twirling was performed as a fine art and the dog barked.