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10-29-2005, 5:33 AM Richard Joined on 10-28-2005 Posts 2 HOLA AMIGOS Hola from Spain again!   Tried to post a message the other day but it seems to have gone into a “black hole” somewhere.  Hello to those of you who remember me, I used to train with Ken at his Guildhall Club when I was in the City of London Police but when I retired in January 2004, we decided to drop out of the “rat race” and spend the winters in Spain, returning to the UK in the summer to see friends and family and earn a few bob to top up the pension.  So far it’s worked out really well.   To keep up the karate training, there is a club here in Nerja which practices Shotokan (no Wado clubs) and I go there twice a week.  In the UK there is a club near where we live, again Shotokan, and I continue to train at my “home” club in Wado Ryu in Harold Wood  with my son, Ben.  So there is a bit of readjustment required depending on where I am but I still enjoy training, albeit you have to train hard to stay at the same level these days!   Hopefully the Thursday Guildhall club is still flourishing and I would like to come along when we are back – or if you are down this way drop us a line.   Best wishes   Rich    Report

10-31-2005, 12:56 PM toots Joined on 10-21-2005 Posts 105 Re: HOLA AMIGOS Hi Rich Good to hear from you, & I'm glad that you are entering into the spirit of the forum. The past 18 months at Guildhall have been mostly good in attendance, but not for the last few months as again a few students have moved on (work). Philip has now been promoted to assistant Club Instructor with Tommy, Geoff is still regarded as one of my Club coaches & most experienced. Philip is dedicated & has worked hard on his technique, but also he has developed good teaching skills at the Club, he is also very reliable so it was a natural progression for him (well deserved). We haven't seen much of Cliffy or Helen for a few months at all!Andy S. has moved back to Docklands. The biggest fight I have always had is finding available Halls , as you know, they don't offer many (free)  halls to Karate Clubs in the City (HA! HA!), we must have trained in over 20 different 'Dojo's' in the City over the last 15 years. We are the 'Travellers' of the Karate community & proud of it. We have trained in Crypts, Function Halls, Dining rooms, gyms, Orchestra pit, the great Hall, squash courts, empty Offices,Fencing Hall (my favourite),we have trained at the Guildhall, the City of London Boys School, the Guilhall School of Music & Drama, Wood st. Nick (thanks Rich) & more! Anyway I may get to write our Club History one Day. As always Rich it is good to hear from you, I will add your Spanish Shotkan self- defence Seminar to the site with pics as soon as i found out how to do it! Keep on Kickin' Ken (my pic ain't come up?- where's that Ian?)    Report

04-18-2006, 10:38 AM Richard Joined on 10-28-2005 Posts 2 SUMMER IN THE CITY? Hi Ken and Everyone at Guildhall Wado Kai I am writing this from Spain, although this year I have had some interesting "Private Investigator" jobs which have taken me to Canada, Italy and France, so apologies for not contributing recently.  We went skiing this morning, which will be the last time this season as it is getting a bit patchy now in the Sierra Nevada even though it's nearly 10,000 feet up (it was -2C this morning at 0900).  I am going to the local karate club in about an hour - so it's been a busy day! We are driving back to the UK in early June, when I will be hoping to find a bit of work to top up the pension.  There are a couple of possibilities on the horizon which may mean working in or near the City, in which case I would like to come back for a bit of training if you accept Wado/Shotokan hybrids? Best wishes to all and hope to see you in the summer. Rich    Report

04-18-2006, 2:17 PM toots Joined on 10-21-2005 Posts 105 Re: SUMMER IN THE CITY? Hi Rich Glad to hear you're keeping yourself busy (not so good for the bad guys) you would be most welcome at our brand new dojo, & even if you have been converted to Shotokan, our new recruit Ian is a 2nd Dan Shotokan & would willingly join you for 'kata' - & as you well know from time to time we have had a Shotokan section at the club! It would be great to see you again, as usual we have the usual suspects + our new contingent. In fact the Club is running at a High at the moment, a hardworking , friendily lot with good spirit.This Dojo should be our base (see elsewhere on the site) for the next 2-3 years! Please drop in to see me (us) next time your in the City. Good luck & keep on kickin' ken    Report

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