Sabre Success and SENI

Paolo and Davina have found a good new supplier for the sabres which are best for our Northern Sabre Form, so I am listing them here: http://www.shaolin.co.uk/ Here's a link to the correct page http://www.shaolin.co.uk/product.php/93/1//d64b9508edb6cf45e1d83c9b605da1f1"Authentic Yang style broadsword with a completely rigid blade made from the famous Longquan steel of China. Complete with scabbard, highly elaborate and very high quality polished Scented Pear wood and decorative metal work." Cost is £65, postage is free. They previously sold the lacquered ones too, but when they got their latest delivery and found they were floppy wushu ones they sent them back.

Davina and Paolo had previously bought sabres from Wushu Direct, who didn't seem interested in trying to get the correct sabre. However they have offered to provide a different sword as a replacement or a refund.

Yesterday Richard, David and I went to SENI (http://www.senishow.com/) as Richard had invited us to join him. It was certainly a fun few hours, but we all felt very lucky and happy with what we are studying. SENI is a huge 'fighting arts' event with everything from wrestling (men in little but tight purple knickers - fantastic!), Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, to Capoiera via Wushu and even arm wrestling, bizarrely. The little T'ai Chi that I did see was done in a showy, competition-style Wushu-like way. We saw 'The Dance' but it was no more than a slow-motion step through with a great deal of angled ankle turning and bowing. Two things stood out: The Royal Marines display team had a large presence. From the efficacy of their real-life combat-based techniques to their non-showy attitude and openness with people, I have to say I was suprised and impressed. I also found a very good supplier of Jians and other swords. This company seem much more keen on quality control than is usual these days, especially as regards goods from China. I had to leave after a couple of hours: there's only so much grunting and posturing I can take. I left Richard and David watching a chap washing his face in broken glass and smashing roof tiles on his (female) student's thigh. Back at home I went into the garden to battle the long grass and brambles. I appear I have won this round.