Toledo 2015- An Article By Kirsty Sloman Brighton WCMA

It was an early start for seven intrepid explorers as we arrived at Gatwick for the 7.30 flight to Madrid. There was Chief Instructor Mr. Russell Suthern, Instructors Shaf Suthern and Josh Haigh and students comprising of myself, Robert from the Worthing club, Carrie from the Eastbourne club and Marcello from the Brighton club. Our mission was to spend a week in the beautiful medieval city of Toledo training hard and hopefully returning laden with the metal work the city is famous for; in other words SWORDS!

We found the perfect training spot right at the bottom of the ravine by the large slow moving river, surrounded by masses of tall reeds and a myriad species of birds. It was a perfect setting to work on the Suang Yang form and Mr Suthern systematically took us through each individual move, really tidying up every one. We worked on this in the mornings in this tranquil scene. It was exciting for Marcello and Carrie as they had only been taught a small amount of the Suang Yang form and suddenly, there they were learning a very large section. It was wonderful for the rest of us because the improvements made the whole pattern feel much better.

After Suang Yang practice, we got to work learning the two person Suang Yang form. This involves one practitioner acting as a fall guy for the other to use the Suang Yang moves in the same order as the form in order to block, defect and counter attack all the punches, kicks and grabs that the fall guy uses. It is tricky being the fall guy because it involves knowing when to attack and with what technique and what hand/foot. The result revealed what the Suang Yang moves could be used for in ways that were less obvious to the eye. The form is very dynamic and is used as a display pattern and looks dramatic as the fall guy is pushed, pulled, knocked and spun all over the place. Having said that, we worked gently and carefully with each other so that we could learn the moves.

Our early evening training consisted of thoroughly tidying up and correcting the kung fu forms in particular the first four and we did this by repetition and by pairing up and watching and correcting each other. The tough one was the six stance form, especially as it was rather hot that day. While we did this, Shaf worked on the Straight Sword form with Robert using a pair of swords that Russell had cunningly fashioned out of some long sticks, a bit of cardboard and some sellotape. Also, Mr Russell Suthern taught Shaf and Josh a brand new form: The Eighteen Enlightenments.

Our afternoons and evenings in Toledo was spent hitting the town, exploring around and eating lots of Tapas in a variety of small local establishments. We also went to a very nice Chinese restaurant too. It happened to be the same one that we went to the last time we were in Toledo. In the day, we either walked about as a group scouring the shops for anything we liked the look of (swords!) or buying souvenirs. Other times, we went off exploring on our own. I took the opportunity to walk along the river and lose myself in the narrow cobbled streets. It was during one foray that a whopping thunderstorm occurred, the heavens opened and tipped its entire contents onto the town causing nothing short of a waterfall to come gushing down the street at high speed. I had to stand on a step, press myself into the wall and hope for the best while it went on. Thankfully these sporadic discrepancies in the weather were short lived and they did clear the air.

We really enjoyed the local food, though. After a good day training and looking around, it was great to all get together over some food and a beer or wine and discuss the events. We went to the same Tapas bar a number of occasions because the food was such a bargain. The mushroom dish was a hit with everyone at this place. I took everyone on a merry walk to a bar that I remembered from the last time we were here, but alas it had closed down. However, fate was on our side because just down a steep side entrance off this street was a wonderful little local pub. This was the Jacaranda Bar. It was a taste of real old Spain and it was cosy. The bar man gave us free bread, crisps and his totally yummy home-made pate. And so, without further ado, this soon became our ‘local’.

Soon enough (and too soon) it was our last day. After the morning training, it was time to embark on the sword buying mission. Russell had his heart set on a beautiful golden coloured Katana in a presentation box with all the cleaning accessories and two changeable spare Subas. The blade was real quality Damascus watered steel. It was a fantastic bit of kit. And that was what he proudly strode out the shop with after some negotiation with the shop assistant over the price. Josh managed to buy two lovely engraved short cutlasses so he could use them as a pair of Double Daggers. And myself, I managed to come away with a fantastic straight sword of an unusual design that was just the right length and weight for my short body. This was a tricky item to haggle for and the grumpy woman in this particular shop was not having any of it in terms of getting any kind of a discount. It was with huge thanks to Russell and Shaf who managed to get her round a little bit and so, I got my sword. Mission accomplished.

These week camps are such an experience although they take a huge amount of organising and planning for on Shaf’s part and everybody has their roles in terms of helping out whether it is shopping for food provisions, doing a bit of cleaning or preparing breakfast and lunch. I became Shaf’s ‘PA’ helping out with ordering food and drinks when we were eating out and assisting in paying for the bills. Lucky I had my trusty Spanish phrase book with me. It was such a great training holiday and many thanks go to Russell for all the tuition and to Shaf for making the whole thing possible and keeping the prices for everything really low. I heartily recommend to anyone reading this that they get to one of these camps and experience the whole thing because apart from really giving your training a boost, they are an adventure rich in experience and enjoyment.

Kirsty Sloman
Brighton WCMA