Twelve months later there we were, getting on a plane to Barcelona. In total 27 from Whitley were going on different flights. Some had decided to make a week of it and it would have been more but some of our people didn't realise that you needed passports to go to Spain (I bet you think I'm kidding!). Anyway also heading out were a few of our Welsh friends, a handful from Pete's club, George from Wessex and 'Gibbo', 'Smithy' and 'Spurg'e' from Maldon. This was going to be some weekend!

We'd all booked through Akaza and had apartments mainly in the Barceloneta district of the city.

We were some of the last to arrive so that by the time Sue and I got to our apartment it was a dark but warm Thursday night. What a surprise when we saw the apartment that we were to share with Andy and Kip, my old mate who was an estate agent! He would have described it as cosy or intimate, but you don't spend much time in your apartment so what the hell…..

After a very quick wash and change it was a speedy walk into the City Centre to meet the others at the Ramblas, a vibrant and lively part of the old city. Well the party was already underway with Pete and the Welsh gang eating and dining in the open air whilst John Dunn was performing acrobatics with some street performers!

The Welsh seemed to gain an honorary member for the weekend in 'Deno', which probably means something in that funny language they speak (answers on a postcard please), although it could have been something to do with the fact that John was well outnumbered by females and besides who else is going to understand the gibberish if not the Welsh!

Amazingly as we had got into the local taxi supplied by our hosts from the airport, Paul had found a keycard obviously for a car. The driver explained that before us he had given a lift to other members of the karate clan and it turned out to be George's key! This was later returned to him in traditional Whitley style in exchange for a few pints.

Barcelona was enjoying a late summer heatwave and it was a beautiful night as about forty of us walked back for a late nightcap.

Well as it happens we were staying in the middle of a local area which was extremely busy. There was a baker on every corner next to the tiny little Tapas bars and pubs.It certainly was an experience, especially the guy who came around at 5.30 every morning filling up gas bottles and announcing his arrival with a huge cowbell and banging the bottles like a manic Keith Moon from the Who in their heyday!

A relaxing morning strolling around the beautiful harbour area of the city, so many sights and sounds to see, although one thing is for certain I would not want to drive around it! It was like watching the starting grid at Silverstone only every time lights changed instead of twenty drivers revving up there were 20,000!

Well we gathered up in the afternoon to meet up for the main reason we were there, the training (sic!). Peter had managed to find a beautiful sports hall right in the middle of the Ramblas for our training session. Outside were the Maldon crew, and if any of you think Dene is excitable you should have seen 'Smithy', cloud nine must have been his starting point.

It was strange for the locals in their gym seeing all these English people putting on their gi's for a session (okay a few Welsh as well, how can I forget you lot?).

After the initial greetings were over it was into the training over 30 there in total including Richard from Spain who joined in for the weekend. As usual Peter put us through our paces, testing us with combinations to try and find any grey matter that hadn't been dissolved the previous night. It was an enjoyable atmosphere as we were pushing each other harder with an impressive 'Gibbo' giving it all he had inspiring us to greater effort. It was extremely warm and one or two of the lesser mortals were beginning to weaken, at our end however pride was winning through and no weakness was being allowed to be shown.

Peter put us then into some kata work and seemed to be everywhere testing blocks and stances at every opportunity, plenty of press-ups too flying around although I never got to see who did most the usual suspects were there or there abouts!

Then all of a sudden it was over! Can a lesson have really gone that fast? I couldn't even recall having a drink break. Everyone's gi's had that lived-in appearance, where it looks like you've been wearing it a month whilst living in the North Sea.

A quick drink which didn't touch the sides and then out and back to the flat that Action Man had left as he'd needed more space!

We'd decided to find a local Tapas bar for our evening meal before meeting up with the rest of the gang, and again it was a beautiful evening with very funny waitresses and a great meal. We met up in an Irish bar at the harbour (there weren't any Welsh ones) and the rest of the gang were there.

Stacey organised all the women and out they went leaving us poor blokes to our own devices in the pub. I mean what were we going to do without them? Still they must have been pining for us because after about two hours they came back just to make sure we were alright! DOH!

The next day we were up and around again strolling around the beach area, the most fascinating thing about Barcelona is their love of art and all the beautiful sculptures and buildings which are terrific on the eye. A boat tour of the harbour area was another great relaxing way to spend the morning.

In the afternoon it was back to the sports hall for the second session, this time we also had a local guest from a Spanish Shito-ryu club joining us and away we went, back into Pete's own unique style of combinations testing us physically and mentally and building up a great atmosphere for training in. Back into some kata work, and this time we did get a break to take on some well deserved water, back in again suddenly and into bunkai before splitting into small groups for more kata work.

A photo-call spelt the end of another great training session. Then we didn't have that much time before going back to 'Polly Pocket's' house to get changed for our evening buffet meal. It was then I was told of some of the other flats. Now some had booked at the same time as us and others later, but we'd all assumed we had similar sized places. But no, we found out Stacey and Paul were in a place once used by Queen Elizabeth, who'd complained it was too big and that the view was too nice! Pete and his crew had a similar room that 'Jacko' and his entourage hire every time he's in Barcelona.

Well we all got together for a great mix of local food and drink, apart from Shannon who got a pizza, and back to Paddy's bar for a drink.

Sunday was a day free of training so we decided to go on the city bus tour and what a glorious city it is! From Gaudi's park and weird buildings to Picassos house and fantastic Gothic churches. Unfortunately the Nou Camp was closed as they were playing that day but nonetheless so much to see and do, too much for one day!

Sunday evening and back to a different Tapas bar for a great meal in good company and a nice finish to our last night although the local brandy had a funny effect on my legs, a very early morning flight back and it was over too soon.

I'd had a great time and it was nice to see everyone in a different surrounding for a change. Now it must be said that we were in a huge city and with it there is real life. It is vibrant and we did experience one or two of the less touristic sights. Shannon's family had to be the unluckiest and it seemed every turn presented them with another hurdle. We witnessed a nasty motorbike crash and it is a city you do have to be careful in and you do have to have your wits about you.

On the Sunday night some of our people went to the theme park by train and with it being Sunday and the clocks changing that day they ended up getting stranded and paying a lot for taxis on the way back, an unfortunate end to their weekend.

Back at the club the feeling is that yes we will all be going away somewhere again next year, maybe though as we've done Barcelona, somewhere different. The location is yet to be discussed but it'd be nice to see some more people come and join us next year. If you've never been to Barcelona I would highly recommend it, there is so much to see and do.

Many thanks to Peter for his superb sessions,

To John and his harem, nice to train with you all again.

To the Maldon crew, geezers!

To the Forest gate mob, respect!

And to George, you're still gorgeous!

And to the Whitley gang thank you very much for your continued support and training, proud of all of you.