Farewell to a friend

You taught me how to protect myself whilst at work, when confronted by a violent patient.
I will always be grateful.
Rest In Peace my friend.

Training

Yesterday I went with my husband to the Royal Army Chaplains Division Museum. We had to Email them first as you visit by appointment only, its a small museum on the training site of the serving Army Chaplains..... I have a feeling my husband wants to become one! (Army ! !, well now that would be an interesting concept, for an ex RM!). When we got home, I did the horses and cooked a roast, odd day to have a roast I know but we have all been doing other things and yesterday was the only day so far this week that we are all in for dinner. Training last night. Training is the bright spots in my otherwise gloomy time, its two hours where I have to concentrate really hard to get the moves right, its fairly physical and most of the people I am with don't know there is anything wrong, (and the ones that do know are concentrating on training too). I think we could do with an extra two training sessions a week. . . OK maybe not but it would be brilliant for my mind! My husband however doesn't have this break, he is back at work today, and I am hoping that the break from me will give him some space, it can't be easy for him either, especially as I keep getting stressy on top of everything else!

Bokken

Yesterday evening I set off for Aikido, in the knowledge that I may not be able to lift a cup to my mouth today! Obelix, who takes the Monday class has us working hard, usually within the first 10 minutes I have worked up a sweat! (sorry a little graphic) .....Yesterday was no exception, we worked hard, the first half of the two hour session had us learning some throwing and pinning techniques, the second half was so much more fun!! Weapons work, I would like to point out that I am not a violent person whatsoever but I have a thing about the Bokken, a wooden replica sword, I love it. On my second ever session, there was a move I just couldn't get, it was making me frustrated, Caine, who was my partner for this practice went and got his bokken and demonstrated the same move only using "it", not a partner, he got me to do the same then once I had caught on told me to do the same this time to him! It made so much sense (anyone who is familiar with aikido will know why) from then on if I didn't get it, he showed me using the bokken. As an anniversary present my husband bought me my own (it was an early present) when I took it to the club, Caine said he would sand and oil it for me and weave some tape I had chosen around the handle. Yesterday was the first time I have actually used it in a lesson and I love it, even if I can't practice what I learnt at home! ( the ceiling gets in the way!)
Oh and this morning...... I lifted my cup easily, either Obelix was easy on us or I am getting used to the work!
The picture shows my Bokken and Jo.