We were invited, as WUMA Malta, to compete in an event called REFUSE TO LOSE 2.  It was a night organised by Master Richard Hopkins, founder of the World United Martial Arts.  The Fight Night was held on Saturday 7 April.

We left from Malta on Thursday 5 April.  It was a late flight to Bristol that arrived at 0100 and had to spend more than 5 hours waiting for time to pass to get the bus to the Bristol Temple Meads train station.  That train would have taken us to Cheltenham.

Friday at around 0800 we arrived at Cheltenham Spa train station.  We were all tired after a night awake and travelling by plane, bus and train.  Now we had to use our own means of transport…our legs.  We spent an hour and a half walking towards the WUMA Headquarters and asking for directions.  Finally we found out, but it was closed.  Silvio walked in an unlocked door and the alarm broke the silence.  We spent an hour or so waiting until finally Master Hopkins arrived.  He showed us in and slowly settled in.  And our adventure just began.

That same day, Friday, we couldn’t sleep.  Place and atmosphere was new and our accommodation was not that comfortable, but it suited us perfectly.  We were in the middle of an industrial area and had a ten minute walk to Sainsbury’s, McDonalds and some shops.  On Friday we went to Sainsbury’s, bought some chicken and bread and stayed in the open air enjoying our first true meal in Cheltenham.  Weather was beautiful throughout all the stay.  For the rest of the day we roamed about and then settled in to take our needed rest….although we had a football game that day!!!!!!!

Saturday, the day of the fights.  Took it easy today.  Went to the town centre and started shop hunting.  There were some good bargains in the centre, like Sports World, Primark and some closing down shops that wanted to get rid of their stock at ridiculous prices.  Took it quite easy today.  At around 1600, Master Hopkins came to pick us up from the HQ.  After approximately 25 minutes we were at Worcester, at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre.  Fights started at about 1900.  At 2100 it was time for Alan to compete.  It was his first Full contact fight.  The result of this bout was that Silvio, Alan and myself ended up in hospital at about 0100.  Alan had his nose broken. It was an experience that I doubt he will ever forget.  Up next were Joe, Roger, Pierre and Matthew.  All gave great performances.

Easter Sunday we went to Bristol.  A nice and relaxing place that took us 45 minutes to go to by train.  We went to a pub and took a glass of beer on a table set out in the grass.  Quite relaxing, and after that had our Easter lunch.  For Easter we had a treat instead of McDonalds or some take away food.  We found a good restaurant that served some Roast Beef.  We enjoyed it and ate well.  After lunch we walked along the promenade.  Weather was great and Silvio, who has been in Bristol already took us to a tower that stands well high above Bristol.  The view from there was quite pleasant.  We also saw squirrels roaming around.  We walked and walked around Bristol until it was time to get back home. 

On Monday we dedicated the day to shopping.  We went down to the town centre and for the first time decided to go on for our separate ways and do our own shopping.  After that we met, got the bus and went to a place called THE BISHOPS CLEEVE.  Their we found a pub called The Kings Head.  We liked the place.  It was an old pub with low ceilings.  Tasted a couple of beers that I never did before.  Spent an hour or so and headed back home.  Today we ate in a place called Beefeaters.  Good but a bit expensive. 

The following day we went back to the town centre.  Our aim was not to stay there but to visit new places.  And that’s what we did.  Today we went to the Cheltenham Racecourse which is of world fame.  The place is amazing and is surrounded by greenery till the eye can see.  We were supposed to meet Master Hopkins and his wife Simone for dinner today.  Unfortuantely he had a sudden loss in his family and obviously could not dine with us.  Mcdonalds took our money this time.

Wednesday was Birmingham day.  We got the train to Birmingham.  It took us 45 minutes to get there.  The train station is right in the middle of an enormous shppoing centre called the Bullring.  Spend 3 hours there and then went for a walk.  Arrived in the centre of Birmingham, to be exact in Victoria Square.  Did our touristic duties, as in photo taking and went to Pizza Hut and took a pizza and salad buffet.  In the evening we went for a pint at Beefeaters. 

Our last day in Cheltenham.  We took some photos and headed toward the bus stop.  Then to the train station and made our way to Bristol Airport.  Plane left at 1800 and were in Malta by 2230.  It was a great adventure and had a memorable time.  I’m sure that Silvio, Joe, Roger, Matthew, Alan, Pierre and myself will consider this to be an adventure to remember, with all its ups and downs…..and hope that our next trip abroad will not be far away………..

Till the next time