The trip was starting a day earlier for the Welsh group as we were setting off at 1.50am on the train from Fishguard Harbour, even though the original numbers of the group were 'halved' we intended to have a great time.

Our first change was in Swansea at 3.30am where we also met 'Meesh' who was nice and refreshed 'Cause I 'ad a sleep before coming out'. Bloody Swansea Jack!

4.00am and we set of from Swansea with a next stop Reading, where there was a coach waiting to take us to Heathrow Airport.

Nice 'brekkie' for all at Heathrow as we had a few hours to wait for the flight.

Whoosh and up we go, lookout Barcelona! We are on our way!

Upon arrival there was transport waiting, all set up by Akaza, off to Barceloneta which was about 20min away from the airport. Unfortunately it was 'rush hour' when we landed and it took us about 90mins to reach the apartments. Not to worry though as it was fun watching the way the crazy Spanish drive. Glad I was a passenger!

We were dropped off at our apartments and met by the Akaza staff to welcome us to Barcelona & show us around the apartments, which took about 45 mins, 42 mins to climb the stairs as we were on the 5th floor and 3 mins to show us around the apartments. I'm glad Tom Thumb had just left as it would have been a bit of a squeeze with him still there. Meesh & the girls were luckier their flat was on the 1st floor with a 'little' local bar right across the road.

Out for a walk to look for a restaurant as the gang were getting a little hungry, it turned out to be which one do you pick, they do like their restaurants they were everywhere. We finally made the choice and settled down for a few drinks & grub on a lovely Spanish evening.

Time for bed & of we go to Trumpton town. Nite Nite Noddy.

Evening & time to back to the Ramblas to meet with the rest of the Higashi crew, Peter Sue & the Forest Gate gang, 'Deno' & some of the Whitley gang were already there & as we arrived the waiters had to get more tables together to fit us all in together, the late comers were Steve & the rest of Whitley as they were held up with the rush hour.

With all of the gang at the feeding trough it was time to order food which took a bit of time with all of us & the language barrier. All sorted out & it didn't take long before we were getting stuck in 'what a meal'. It was 'yum yum' except for mum as she had a bit of a Spanish tummy and was taking up 'squatters' rights in the loos.

The drinks were flowing all evening and everyone was enjoying themselves catching up & watching the street entertainers as well as joining in, it was a great evening out for the Higashi Crew.

Time to go up to the dojo and 'Gibbo', 'Smiffy' & John arrive today so the Higashi Crew was complete.

Lovely dojo with glass doors all down one side & the fitness area up on a viewing gallery with all who were up there wondering what was happing in their sports arena.

All changed & into our gi's ready for our first session with Richard who had arranged all for our visit to Spain. Into lines ready for the off! Will it be a gradual process as some of them were still a little hung over from the night before (or morning) Deno (cough, cough), dream on, nothing doing it was right into the deep end with basics & 'combo's', you know, I do believe he had a few Spanish clones as every time you turned (and I know we could hear him at the other side of the dojo) he was there 'what, where did he come from?'

Onto Kata & it was still 100% from all even when Deno was doing his press-ups it was 100%.ish

Yes I do agree with Steve Bell, Gibbo was looking very sharp.

Training over and time for refreshments, boy it was needed as that was some session, although it was over in a blink of an eye, again.

On the way back to the flats we all split up to go for food, then off to get changed for the evening out.

We all met up later, English, Welsh & Scottish in the Irish Bar, go figure. All of a sudden the bar was full with us all & the staff where in for a busy night especially the barmaid keeping everyone's glasses full and the way Deno & Smithy neck 'em down they were run off their feet.

The girls all left us guys for a girlie night out, it wasn't long before they were back in the Irish Bar though, I think they just missed our company.

A little walk up the Rambles to the Dojo ready for another session. Richard had brought along a local student from Shito-ryu but little did he know what he had let himself in for, a brief warm up and away we go.

Hanshi Spanton's dreaded combo's were pushing us beyond our limit which built up a tremendous atmosphere in the dojo. With each and everyone pushing each other all the way everyone now giving 110% and more, a short water beak was welcomed as it was getting rather warm in the hall.

Kata followed, then into groups with Sue taking Meesh & myself off to do Kata work which was excellent.

Time to stop, photo session up next with everyone grabbing for a drink.

All of a sudden there was a call for us to go back in lines! What's going on? No one had booked in to the hall after us so Peter had managed to snatch an extra slot, we had an extra 30 mins for a last blast of combo's & senior Kata to round the sessions over.

A few more photos, down some more water and it was off back to the flats for a quick shower and change for the buffet, not to let the occasion down we decided to go with the theme of ghouls & vampires as it was Halloween weekend, another lovely meal but they were a charging the lads a little to much for their beer so it was decided to head back to the Irish Bar to finish the evening off.

It did just that with plenty of the amber nectar, also a game of tag, tree felling and hide 'n' seek to round the night off. That's what makes for good reminiscing.

Back at the harbour we had a tour of the Aquarium and bummed into John & Phil who had been thinking of trying out the cable car.

Evening time was set aside for a trip to see the Dancing Fountains so it was off on the Metro for us lesser mortals while a few others jumped into a taxi. We all arrived around the same time and waited eagerly for the show, and waited, and waited, and waited, enough said about the show. We nearly had a fountain show all of our own the way all the females were fighting for the loo.

Food time was upon us again.

Deno, I & all the girls decided for The Hard Rock Café for our meal and that was some meal, could have fed an army, boy it was good.

Back to the Harbour to meet everyone for our last night together in Spain with all our friends & family in a cosy little Bar.

It was a great experience, one that I'm glad I didn't miss with so many loyal friends & family, travelling from all over to meet and train together in another country, what more could you ask for.

Thanks to:

Peter & Sue, Whitley, Maldon, Forest Gate & 'Gorgeous' George.

Sadly, as all courses go 'it was over' but with everyone working so hard through the weekend the dojo & Barcelona was alive with the 'Higashi Spirit' and that's what it's all about.

'OSS Sensei'

Who knows where we will be next year, but wherever it is the Welsh will be there.

John Sioned, Meesh, Zoe, Ciara, Tara & don't forget Mum