Belgium Gasshuku May 2004
I left from the London city airport, which is very
convenient for me and arrived a mere 55 minutes later in Antwerp. When
I think about it, to get to my dojo it takes just as long through the
city traffic.
I was met and taken to the hotel, the owner had a fabulous collection
of vintage cars, some of which I have not seen since I was a child. I
counted about a dozen cars from Humbers to Rolls Royce's.
The room I stayed in from the outside looked like something out of a fairytale
story, the stairwell was very narrow but when I reached the room it was
quite big with it's own kitchen and bathroom but I was in for a surprise.
The next morning about 4.00am a cockerel outside decided to serenade me,
as much as I love chickens if I could have got my hands around its neck
it would have been singing a different song.
After breakfast the Chief Instructor Sensei Patrick Curinckx took me to
the dojo where the students eagerly waited for the training, the first
training was with the children which a really enjoy. At first they looked
at me as if I were from another planet, but after 20 minutes into the
training they realised that everything was ok and relaxed into their training.
Then it was the turn of the seniors, lined up
ready for the three k's kihon, kata, kumite, we went
through the IOGKF curriculum covering all aspects, everyone really enjoyed
and put their all into the training.
After training and a wonderful meal, Sensei Patrick invited me to his
house to sample some of his home made beer; we made our way down to his
cellar, just the right temperature to test the beer. Well besides the
beer having a delicious taste and having wind all night, what a way to
spend an evening. 
The next day was such a lovely day, blue skies covered
the horizon and with temperatures to mach, which persuaded everyone to
sit outside during the lunch break. With lunch concluded, and it was time
to train. I commandeered Sensei Patrick while one of the seniors conducted
the warm up. I scrutinised his kata until it was right, and he was very
happy for this training, because he is attempting his 5th Dan in Okinawa,
so all teachings he received were greatly appreciated. Before I left on
Monday, he performed all the kata in his garden so I could correct him
once more, he seemed quite confident and happy.
My special thanks to his wife Mieke, for taking care
of me, I had a wonderful time.
See you all in Okinawa soon.
Sensei George Andrews