Open Course on the Isle of Wight 2011

Looking back over the years not much as changed on the Isle of Wight, it still reminds me of the early 60’s and it is a pleasure to be invited back once again to conduct a one day course with Sensei Mick Dewey 8th Dan SEKU and the coordinator Sensei Mark Elliott 5th Dan SEKU.

I travelled across by ferry which takes about 40 minutes, in this time you can witness some of the coastline and its beauty which has a long line of history. On arriving I made my way to Sensei Mark's house where I was greeted by Sensei Mike whom I have not seen for 15 years. It was quite a emotional time, we sat and talked about old times we had spent together in the past.

That evening I was invited out to dinner, I had a wonderful Fish supper then I went back to the hotel to get a good night sleep ready for training in the morning, at 9.15 – 10.30am I started with the Children I counted about 30, all were eager and ready to go.

Then it was the turn of the Adults and Cadets I counted about 35 people and after an hour of arduous warming up we split the class into groups, Sensei Mick took the kyu grades and I took the black belts and after 2 hours Sensei Mick focused on Kata and I focused on self – defence and then for the last hour I was invited to take all black belts so I focused on the Kata Tensho and Kakie (Sticky Hands) everyone was excited with this discipline.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Mark Elliott and his wife Lisa for such a lovely time.

George Andrews