Sat 12th June 2010

Well it all started when my alarm bell went off at 02.30 am out of bed quick shower got dressed and off into the yard out back for some early morning hand conditioning, in the truck by 03.15 am and off to Stansted airport my flight was 6.45 am so I had time for breakfast at the Airport. I arrived at the airport via the bus from the mid stay car park and decided to eat at Frankie and Benny's in the departure lounge, so took of my belt and watch stowed all metal objects in my bag and headed for the security checking lane, I had made one big mistake not only had I forgotten I had a small bottle of fluid in my front zipper of my rucksack but I had also got a Kubaton on my key ring, normally not a problem but the bottle of fluid got my bag pulled out for inspection where the security guard found my Kubaton, bearing in mind it was football crazy everywhere with added security police in the airport I was told I would have to make statements as to why I was carrying a Kubaton into an airport. Luckily I had been in this situation before and with a little persuasion managed to talk the security man into letting me through without too much fuss. arrived at my table had a lovely breakfast quick wander round the airport lounge then boarded the flight bang on time, flight was good 55 minutes Sifu was at the Airport in a flash to whisk me off for breakfast number two in the Main Street Cafe in Balbriggan where we were met by Dave, Somewhere between the Airport and the Cafe Sifu dropped into the conversation that he had decided that he was going to put me through my third degree grading and see how I did, to say that was a bit of a shock was an understatement but hey I decided to give it my best shot.The day was packed full of training a trip to Argillan Castle Park where Fergal joined us for Chi Gung and some iron palm training in the woods, then off to Skerries Beach for some stone breaking, This was a new experience for Dave and Fergal but they soon wanted to break every stone on the beach , wanting to save some for another day we bundled them back into the van and headed back to Sifus house where we went through the breaks we needed for the Grading, with all the aerial breaks completed it was off to the Gym for some more training followed by the grading’s we watched Fergal demonstrating he had full knowledge of his techniques performing well with a score of 99.3 he was awarded his 1st degree black belt , followed by Trevena who was awarded her Brown Belt,congratulations Fergal and Trevena,  then it was time for me to try to remember what I was meant to be doing I was lead through the grading syllabus and after a few techniques got into the swing of things thanks to Mark for his assurance that I would be fine and it will all come flooding back into my head when I needed it. Well to my amazement I had passed with a score of 99.8 . After the Gradings we headed of to the Balrothery Arms for a celebration meal then i was dropped back to the Airport for my flight home, I arrived safley back at the house at 12.45 am.

I would like to thank Sifu for all his hard work his hospitality and his friendship, Amanda for bringing in food and drinks, Mark for his help with jogging my memory ( hope that arm gets sorted , )Robert for the healing on my arm, great to have you back training, and Dave Fergal for standing as my partners through the grading, Peter And Trevena for a great days training, looking forward to seeing you all soon