Hmm. Perry, I wasn't thinking the loop R was part of the hey at all, nor that the timing needed any adjustment. I do think that the half hey doesn't end with the gents in the center. Ron clearly wrote that the gents pass R in the center. That theoretically puts them at the side or nearly so, and heading that way. The ladies will be looping the back at that point. A loop R will feel like turning to a hey the line, especially for the ladies. My point is that it will take several iterations of the dance for dancers to remember to flatten it out as they travel toward the next N so they can gypsy R with them. If you told them to balance and swing, it would happen more easily, but I can see that Ron is trying to keep it glassy smooth. My experience suggests that whatever we intend, dancers will interpret "loop" with varying degrees of curve, many making it deep enough to spoil the transition to the R gypsy, unless the teach specifically prevents this. if you just told the gents to pass L in the middle, and continue to the side, then face the N and pass through to gypsy the next, the curve would evolve on its own as people danced it, and be just right. My opinion only.
As for timing, no matter what you call it, I'm betting that loop is going to cross the phrase for many, and the new N gypsy will be short. Possibly, just looping to a new N Sw would work. Might be a long swing for some.
Best,
Andrea
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