Travel

Guernsey, island haven

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I spent the last few days in Guernsey, recovering from launching my latest project. I was invited by my friend the Early Music legend Andrew Lawrence-King to hang out for a few days and attend a concert he was giving with fellow legends Jordi Savall and Frankie McGuire. Guernsey is very much an island, defined … Read more

Helsinki versus Ipswich. Who will win?

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We’ve been in Ipswich for a couple of months, and perhaps the most common question I’ve been asked is “what’s it like” followed in popularity by “Ipswich? Why?” So I thought I’d summarise some of the key points, in the form of a tennis match. Because this is England, and it’s summer. Or at least … Read more

Mission Accomplished.

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Sixteen years ago, I was at a crossroads in my life, so I went and sat on top of a hill in the Scottish Highlands, and meditated for a sign. A voice in my head said “go to Helsinki and open a swordsmanship school.” So I did. Now that school has become “The School”, and … Read more

Dread

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I am right now in Ipswich looking at potential homes for my family. I travel a lot, and have the practicalities pretty much down to a fine art, but the night before this trip I was consumed by a deep and abiding sense of dread. I feel like this the night before just about every … Read more

Women’s Class

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I have always made sure that there are at least some women in the photos in all of my training manuals. This photo from The Swordsman’s Companion is one of my favourite pictures ever: Last weekend, teaching at Lonin in Seattle, one of the women students told me that the only reason she had started … Read more

Do you own it, or does it own you?

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I like reading about lifestyles I have no intention of emulating, but might learn something from. Such as the “travel the world for ten years with only one pair of underwear” minimalist types. It’s all very “I’ve got an ultralight laptop and that’s all I need”. Which is fine if you’re only a writer or … Read more

Think Like a Criminal

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A couple of weeks ago I took four days away from the wife and kids, and spent a good chunk of money, flying to Belgium for a seminar with Rory Miller. Regular readers will have heard me banging on about his superlative Meditations on Violence. Rory and I have corresponded a little over the last few … Read more