Spent the day with some great guys and girls practicing classic Pugilism. I’ve got a real interest in all kinds of old martial art, and pugilism is one of the oldest. You could argue it’s more than two and a half thousand years old, as the Pankration was an Olympic sport in 648 BC.
Today’s was a little more modern, the kind of prizefighting practiced
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Well, there goes SWASH, a serious and respected historical fencing event, with some of the leading experts teaching both practical skills and lecturing on their research. Naturally the black tie dinner lead to sabrage (opening champagne with a sharp sword) and from there to dueling with balloons in a hotel bar. I fear I look a little squiffy in this picture though.
Off to SWASH tomorrow. Two days of fencing with various historical weapons, a black tie dinner in the Royal Armouries war gallery, in amongst the suits of armour, and a lot of wine.
Wish me luck.
Spent this weekend being a bakers apprentice at Cosmeston Medieval Village. Up before six to light the big wood fired oven, then sweating away baking most of the day and telling visitors about the bakers life and the medieval diet.
A pleasant evening of modern Epee tonight. Historical sword systems are my real interest, but the modern form of fencing is a fun game.
Fenced against one of the young chaps who does competitions, he's early 20's (quite a bit younger than me), has better reach, and trains more.
But he got off to a bad start, lost the first 5 points, and his game...
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A quick post, before I hit the books to plan a Bartitsu Class. Actually I’m thinking this will be a chance to martial my thoughts for the intro to Bartitsu I’ll need to give at the start of the class. I should have got this whole trip sorted by now, but the black dog has been nipping my bum a little, so I’ve had a
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Well, I suppose it's time I made a Blog entry. I've never actually blogged before. Not once.
Strange really, because I’ve been using web forums and reading other people’s blogs for a long time. But it always seemed a bit self-absorbed to me. Seemed a bit of an odd idea that perfect strangers would want to read what I have to say.
Still, it also...
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