English open Taekwon-Do championships

When I first tweeted this I mistakenly said the British championships, a different event and venue altogether.

The event was held at the Guildford leisure centre, what a place massive with all sorts of events going on at the same time, nothing anywhere like this when I was young and free parking  which in this day and age seems to be the exception rather than the rule. The Taekwon-Do was in a hall on the lower ground floor level with room for seating and 6 matted areas.

 

First off the kids had to do patterns, a series of moves and stances to show their skill and discipline unfortunately I didn’t get there in time to see this and sadly neither of them won any medals which is unusual.

Next up is the sparing which is where it gets exciting, first Pic’s are of some 5 year olds really going at it.

The only tears seem to be those of frustration if they lose and those never seem to last long.

Harry’s first fight was a good one which he won 3 to 1 with the judge’s. Harry being the one in the red foot pads.

      

Sadly he lost his next bout, to the kid who went on to win the gold medal and who is also one of his pals. Harry getting an accidental nutmeg or as one guy commented (cor that rung his bells).   

                     

Daisy; well what to say about Daisy. Her bout lasted about 30 seconds before she was disqualified for what they call head shots. To explain, in this country up until the age of 14 they are not allowed to punch or kick to the head (Daisy won’t be 14 until July) but she is in intensive training to compete for Wales in the European championships where contact to the head is permitted and she was determined to lay down a marker to the over 14 that she was coming and to beware.

Innocent little angel aint she.

    The rule is a yellow card for every contact to the head 3 and you’re out pic is of Daisy getting her 3^rd card Daisy being the short

            

And so ended an eventful day  but a very enjoyable one. Anyone looking for an enjoyable day out (and it’s all free) the British championships will be at the same venue in July I for one will be there.



Poem by Brian Waller Procter

I never was on the dull tame shore

But I lov’d the great sea more and more

And backward flew to her billowy breast

Like a bird that seeketh its mothers nest

And a mother she was and is to me

For I was born on the open sea

A few more musings from 1974/76

1974

Don’t mock me in my sincerity

Your sickly green shows through

I believe in my nature

And not in your discourse

I am not a social outcast

I cast out your society first

1974

Nothing’s changed

I’ve tried

Even to build false pride

All feelings to hide laughed instead of cried

But nothing changed inside

I’m still overwhelmed by the tide

1976

I’m not Gay but I have some wonderful gay friends who I would rather be in the company off than some hypocrite I walk now on a strange but very gentle path

Winding its way through new and softer thoughts

Each step I take leads me farther from the cold road

That cuts like a black scar through my unsettled past

I seek to lose myself in the bright new foliage

My body no longer weary in its trudging travel

Vibrates with new excitement

My tread light in anticipation

My eyes wide in discovery

I am no longer shackled by the irons of society

My mind no longer lame by its ever demanding order

I walk freely into nature