First, a little background, Chippenham Twin Town Association were asked in early 2008 if their visitors from Friedberg in Germany could include some Judoka. They agreed… and then found they couldn’t find anyone for them to train with!

Via a roundabout route Mike Healy, who lives 15 miles away, was contacted and a two hour joint training session subsequently took place in Trowbridge. A good time was had by all and the result was an invitation received by Mike for a visit to spend time in Friedberg training and socialising there.

So it was that a party of 20 including such dignitaries as Andrew Millard and Gordon Lawson were led astray, or do I mean abroad? Yes, abroad, that’s it, by Mike Healy on 30th July.

Thursday 30th July 2009

The morning of that day saw us far too early and a little bleary eyed at Stanstead for the flight to Munich where our luggage was whisked away to our accommodation while we were led off by two of our Hosts, Christian Mayr and his Sister Evi, to have lunch at a Bier Garten followed by some brief sightseeing in the centre of Munich.
 

A brief train journey took us to Friedberg in time to grab our Judo kit and join the 35 or so members of the Friedberg Judo Club who were able to join us for two hours of training. This was followed by a meal at the Friedberg Sports Club.

Friday 31st July

Up and off on a trip to Augsburg with a guide from the local twinning association to show us the sights followed by a leisurely lunch by a lake.

There was just enough time on our return to change ready for a civic reception at Schloss Friedberg with a chance to mix and chat.

Saturday 1st August

Most of the visiting party spent the day at a local lake swimming sunbathing and… Waterskiing … yes waterskiing, and again left in just about enough time to grab our Judo kit prior to another two hours of judo. During the course of that training Gordon and Anne demonstrated a groundwork Kata and the Kime No Kata. You’ll have got the pattern by now. This was followed by a Barbeque.

Sunday 2nd August

Up early and off on a train to Garmisch Partenkirchen to visit the Olympic Ski Jumping Arena followed by a wonderful walk through the most impressive gorge and on up on a walk of about 90 minutes in the hills beneath the Zugspitze, which is the highest mountain in the Bavarian Alps, for another leisurely lunch prior to descending the mountain and returning to Frieberg.

Monday 3rd August

Our hosts gathered us up and returned us by road to Munich for our return flight.

Our immense gratitude is due to our hosts. We hope we have made many new friends who will come to see us in the future and we just hope we can match their level of hospitality.

Sensei Mike Healy
5th Dan BZJFA