I have just returned from one of my wife's "getting away from it all" long weekends. This traditionally involves a stay in a freezing cold caravan and walking around various gardens and shops. This time it just happened to be in close proximity to Sensei Jim Darts Kenshindoryu Club in Northampton.

So early Saturday morning we traveled down to his club in Roade, about 20 minutes south of Northampton and junction 15A on the M1. The morning started with Jujitsu for which I donned the traditional white belt as I get to go on a Jujitsu mat about once a year, I lasted longer that usual and about half way through the session managed to put my jaw in the way of Sensei's knee (ouch!!!). The remainder of the lesson in ground fighting passed off without further mishap.

After a quick break we went back on for a Judo session, for which I dug out my black belt. Jim's club teaches Combat Judo which is based on the Zen Judo Syllabus, with some changes to the order of the throws and for higher grades, atemi (strikes) and other techniques are added. As it was half term for the local schools in the UK, the class was smaller than normal, so the opportunity was taken to run the new green belts through some of there new throws and sutemi waza.

The session finished with some light randori. After putting the mats away we retired to the local village Pub for food, drink and conversation.

I would like to thank Jim and his Club for an enjoyable morning and making Yvonne and myself welcome.

John

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