This was a successful trip and one that will improve the communications between North and South of Poland; I met Sensei Adam Litwinski 4th Dan IOGKF, who is a senior instructor in Poland.

Over the weekend we had meetings with some of the senior Instructors that wish to work with Sensei Adam in future, everyone was in agreement that Sensei’s Adam Litwinski and Marian Czlkowski would work together to develop Goju Ryu Karate – Do.

There also was training sessions and a Tournament for Children and Adults. Kata for Children and both Kata and Kumite for adults. There was about 125 participants, Sensei’s Adam and Marian were very pleased with the turnout and as to the training it was split into groups to maximise the knowledge that was available.

There was also a viewing of Higaonna Sensei training in his Dojo in the 80s and on Sunday, after the training finished, most of the seniors were invited to a BBQ at Andrzej & Monica Markowski Hotel. The weather was great and the evening Sun was a pleasure, Black and White Sausages were cooked over an open fire which complemented the salad.

I look forward to working and meeting with these two fine men in the future.

George Andrews

I went to Cape Town, South Africa, to celebrate with one of the best Karate practitioners I have had the privilege to be associated with; Sensei Bakkies, he is an inspiration to everyone.

I was met at the airport and made my way to the accommodation; it was actually a bachelor flat with an open plan bedroom and the weather was a comfortable 25°C. After settling in, there was a knock at the door, it was Gavin Hill from Australia, he said "I have hired a car", so we made our way to the Stadium.

It was such a pleasure to see Higaonna Sensei in good spirit and his assistants Nakamura and Yamashiro Sensei’s. After all the greetings it was time for training, 3rd Dan to 8th Dan for 90 minutes then training was spilt into 4 groups, there were about 250 people.

Every morning we met for breakfast with a healthy Green Tea and Porridge with Honey and Raisins outside one of many Café/ Restaurants in Stellenbosch, but it was not all about Karate – Do, we visited a Cheetah Sanctuary where Gavin went in with the Cheetahs, I stood outside because I like my own space and I respect theirs.

Then we went to a Lion Sanctuary where we both defiantly respected their space, it was quite daunting to be walking between 35 Killing Machines and a fence that I’m sure they could clear had it not been for the 20,000 volts that deter them.

And of course we climbed Table Top Mountain, Gavin Hill and Paul Parrlett did it in 47 minutes, and I did it in 15 minutes in the Cable Car, once up there the view was quite breathtaking.

My Special thanks to the Laubscher Family and Gavin Hill for a wonderful time.

George Andrews

I was invited to conduct a Gasshuku by Kevin and Mika Duff, who stayed and trained in the London Honbu Dojo for 18 months. I was happy to travel to the states at this time of year because the temperature was 25°C with beautiful blue skies.

Arriving at Catania airport on Sunday, a chartered bus was waiting for some of the people arriving at the same time as me.  To my surprise my good friends Rob and Adrienne Langgartner from Canada where on the same bus.

This was the 7th Gasshuku in Koh – Samui, it is the ideal place for those people that live in cold climates, it is a chance to train hard and enjoy the warm Sun, Sea and Beaches with a Night life second to none, and guaranteed temperatures of over 33°C.

The message from Moscow was to make sure you bring plenty of warm clothing and they were right, the temperature outside Domodedovo Airport on my arrival was -22°C and lots of snow.

I was driven to my place of stay which was about 40 minutes outside Moscow; it was called Zhukovsky, the accommodation was in the Sanatorium (houses of rest) where you can have treatment for every part of the anatomy. The surroundings were outstanding with Pine and Birch trees and an aroma to match, everywhere was covered in snow, on entering my room the temperature was a comfortable 25°C and furnishings to match.

Three meals a day were provided so you never went hungry, alcohol was not allowed. I could not sleep the first night due to the silence, and then I could not wake up due to the dark mornings, due to living in London this place was like a retreat.

I was invited by Sensei Veerappan Arumugam (Billy) Chief Instructor IOGKF Malaysia to conduct a Gasshuku in Intan, Perak (Diamond Bay). It is situated some 400 Kilometers from the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Course Report from Martin and Louise Stockley, Cambridge

The 2012 Lambert Gasshuku started on Friday 28th September in Kirkcaldy, the birth place of the social philosopher and economist Adam Smith (1723-1790). The dojo for the evening was an upstairs room of the theatre named in his honour. The instructor that we had driven 400 miles to see was the newly appointed world chief instructor Nakamura Sensei. After personally greeting all of the participants, Sensei began the gasshuku briefly informing us of the new organisational structure of the IOGKF and that we would also be taught be the newly appointed vice chief instructors Sensei Ernie Molyneux and Sensei Henrik Larsen. The class that evening covered Junbi Undo, Ten Tsuki and Sanchin kata.

The venue was the famous Okinawa Kenritsu Budokan in Naha, training started at 8am for 3rd – 7th Dan every day, then one hour with the Master for basics which included all grades, then there was group training for 3 hours, so a total of 5 hours.

We were also honoured to be given lectures by Aragaki Shuichi Sensei who was a direct student of Miyagi Chojun Bushi and the Sakiyama Sogen Roshi of Kozenji who also trained with Miyagi Chojun Bushi.

The world famous Higaonna Dojo in Naha, Okinawa is a short walk from the Asato station on the Okinawa Monorail (or Yui Rail).  On an exterior wall visitors are greated with the following words:

The kanji next to the IOGKF kenkon reads "Okinawa Goju Ryu" followed by "Higaonna Karate Dojo" in larger print.  The remaining text tells us that beginners and women are welcome for maintaining health.  These simple words remind us not only that karate is for everyone but this martial art is for the purpose of looking after your body.

Martin Stockley

Thank you to Kumiko Akamine for the translation.