The Shooting Frenzy.

Big days of big wigs, intense makeup, eye-bursting bright costumes and body movements that defy human physics.

The World Irish Dancing Championships are a real blow-out. The competition is intense, both on stage and behind the scenes.

There's also a real air of atmosphere of celebration created by the participants and their families. Even the President of the Republic of Ireland rocked up today to check out the proceedings!

Imagine good couple of thousand spectators watching these fluid moving young people strut / jig their stuff. Encouragement and love seem to be the big ticket items. It also seems to me to be a big semi-excuse for catchups with old friends, fellow performers and dance teachers (former dancers).

We've spent today following certain young people on their quest for crazily big trophies. It's fun to be involved with these families.

I have no idea why, but I'm a hit with the kids. They rush up to me shouting "Hey Chris". No joke, they swarm in their droves, usually in groups of 3-6, all day long. Children I have never met (or at least remember meeting). My name has somehow spread through the ranks of the little people. They all want to know how I'm going and are keen for chats. Given the time, I entertain them with wild stories, mad gesticulations and a generous serving of the best Australian drawl I can create.

The guys I'm working with are calling me "the yeti", presumably because I'm large in stature, a little bit scruffy (I need a haircut) and carry a fair bit of gear. Perhaps after hours they hear my screeches in the night, for I usually do so when I hear the performers staying in my hotel practice in their hard shoes late into the evening.

I'm becoming increasingly interested at how quick the dancers legs move. Much like electrified crickets on speed. The idea of Irish dancing seems to be: move your legs as wildly as you can and click your shoes to the beat of the never-ending piano and accordion tune at a BPM rate that makes hardcore electronic techno sound like an atmospheric Brian Eno track. Whilst this is happening, you keep your arms by your side, maintain a perfectly still torso and somehow manage a smile despite the enormous fatigue that one must surely feel whilst dancing the jig.

We have some huge days of shooting coming up, and I am now six days away from the 30 hours of transit required for me to get back to the sanctuary of my cave. Mmm, cave - dark and quiet... Maybe I am a yeti? I'll have to check with the guys in the morning to see...