h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And so another class has been done...

Last night we had a new bloke, who I was paired up with.

Problem is, that guy was a ing Prop Forward (rugby term meaning 'biggest guy on the team')... he was about my height, but I swear he was about twice my width!

Started with basic footwork and guards... partly for the benefit of the new bloke and partly because occasionally going back to basics is a good way to keep everyone on their toes.

Next was more Wallerstein grappling, and also a mention from Alan that given the similarities in the techniques, writing and place of origin (southern Austria as it was in the Middle Ages) it's entirely possible that it was also written by Fiore dei Liberi. It went pretty well, and Alan showed myself and the new bloke how variations on the same technique can be used when fighting an opponent of different size and strength.

Then we did longsword. Yay! The new guy benefited from my, ooh, three whole months of experience... particularly with regards keeping movements as small as possible. It's a common temptation when starting to do big movements because, well, big movements look cool. Again all went pretty well and sufficient fun was had that new bloke will be continuing to attend the class.