In Search for the


To visit this years Holy Grail Part 2 Click Here

In Search for the “Holy Grail”, Part 1, In Search of the Lost Art
On the 4^th April 2006 Mike Mitchell and Laurence Newton will be heading off on a journey to bring back the advanced Shaolin Chuan Fa Kung Fu syllabus from Ancient China and Australia.
Our journey will start in London on the 4^th April.
On the 5^th April we will be landing at Hong Kong International Airport from there we will be heading over to Lantau Island in search of the Po Lin Monastery and any other monasteries that represent our style.
On the 7^th April we set off to Melbourne, Australia.
On the 8^th April we will land in Melbourne to meet 3^rd Degree Sifu Leon King and many other Grandmasters in the chain of our system.
We intend to return with advanced knowledge of the San Chien, more knowledge of the Ching Lo healing system and also the advanced Dragon forms of the Shaolin System.

04/04/06
Set off from London

05/04/06
Land at Hong Kong International Airport

06/04/06
Travel To Po Lin Monastery


The Concentration almost cause the vein in Mike’s head to pop	We had no Idea where we were

View of the Po Lin Monastery Big Buddha

Up close and personnel with the Buddha	3 statues on the right hand side of the Buddha giving offering their hands are in different Mudras positions

3 more statues on the left of the Buddha	The back of the Big buddah and whats Mike doing

It looks like old Snake hips has spotted something	Oh no not another Bin this is the 8^th one in 20 minutes

It was no easy task getting in to the Shaolin Temple	After hours spent Translating ancient scriptures we found the answer

To go back down and buy a vegetarian meal ticket, Doh.	New Discovery the Holy Shrine of Paul Taylor

Entrance to the Hong Kong temple	Po Lin Monastery

Drawing the Bow without Thought, Its in every paper over there

Trip to Hong Kong Island

The amazement of the height of the building put Laurence into great awe	This is the tallest building we saw, we couldn’t see the top as stupid clouds where in the way

Hong Kong has a George Bar too	After Making our way to a Hidden tavern we were challenged by a Monk

Chi Sao was the challenge of the day and after a long arduous conflict….	We were shown secret techniques

His eyes can shoot lasers unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to learn it	I think she’s nervous but so would you if you were this close to the Sweetest of Cheeks

Mike using his skills as a stalker managed to photograph 3 women practicing the Ba Duan Jin	Hong Kong at night

It changes so much in the night time

07/04/06 Leave Hong Kong and Land In Australia

On Arrival we set up our main Headquarters, Vietnam all over again	The Camp Site using the age old tradition of setting up your tent with the use of a Bo Staff, lawn mower, table leg and chest of draws

With the heavy armour and deterrents armed we knew we would be safe from wild dingo’s

Safe and Sound

08/04/06
We Ventured into the city centre with Leon as a tour guide. We found Amazing book shops with all sorts of posters on anatomy and books on Martial Arts. We will be bringing back a lot of Katsu posters. The night time event consisted of a trip to the local pub luckily we were given a lift. 8 pints later and after a lot of small time gambling which turned into a nice little profit we decided to head back to HQ. This was not as easy as expected. We left at 3am and made many wrong turns. The police stopped us and their exact words were “Well your in the wrong suburb to start with”. We arrived home eventually with the walk only taking 2 and a half hours.

09/04/06
A late start due to the night before. We were made to cut down old bamboo, was this part of our training I don’t know all I do know is that I don’t want to see bamboo again for a long time. Later that evening we were taught some nice new warm up methods. Lets just say ouch and that it involves a lot of Horse stance.

10/04/06
Shopping day in Melbourne centre.

11/04/06
Tri sectional staff training, the most painful and most dangerous training ever done, and we mean it. Lots of lumps on bones and lumps on ears. Laurence gained more confidence in the later evening by attempting to swing the staff in a windmill method and figure of eight method in the pitch black with several injuries.



Also training in advanced staff work

12/04/06
Discovered the original variant of the San Chien form, this is very interesting work and answers a lot of questions.
We also discovered the first documented version of the Dragon Form from our style which consists of approximately 71 moves. There are approximately 7 Dragon forms to learn after the 2^nd degree gradings.
Advanced 3^rd dergree work on the system of Dah Jong (strengthening of the Forearms, Fists and Palms) was discussed. This is all new stuff that is going to be available to Hull Kung Fu students.
Leon Showed us some advanced forms on the tri-sectional staff which we documented on video, unfortunately over writing the video footage of Lantau Island.
Building more confidence with the tri-sectional staff soon we will be masters.

The Camp Site (and Leon’s house)	“Awwwww its to Hot”

13/04/06
Learnt a very long advanced Dragon Form and a very long spear form. The principles of the dragons claw was explained in depth. More and more practice on the Tri-sectional staff including all the exercises. Completed more of the advanced staff forms from the weapons syllabus.
Went for a game of pool with Leon and his friends on the evening.

14/04/06
Had a break and visited Melbourne. The first stop was a book fair. Then we visited the Melbourne stadium to see a kids fair. Then we visited the Rialto that gives some excellent views of Melbourne

After a vigorous search the two Michaels could not find any Heinz Beans	We were challenged by these 2 fairy folk but soon got rid of them by the flash of the camera

Dai Sifu Leon King 3^rd Degree Kung Fu (back), Michael King 8^th Degree Kung Fu (bottom left), Katarina King 7^th Degree Kung Fu (bottom middle), Mike Mitchell 2^nd Degree Kung Fu (bottom right)	A big boat

The Shaolin Motto	Chinese Dragon Dance

Chinese Dragon Dance	Chinese Dragon Dance

A bird	The experiment to splice both dog and mad went slightly askew

Views of Melbourne from the Rialto Tower	Views of Melbourne from the Rialto Tower

Views of Melbourne from the Rialto Tower	Views of Melbourne from the Rialto Tower

Its tricking time	Mike searched frantically for a copy of Destiny of Souls but could not find one at all

Merlin’s keyboard jam

15/04/06
Constant studying of the tri sectional staff, its getting easier but there is a lot in store for people when we get back.

16/04/06
Up early (07:30am) and training again. Three sectional staff and spear experience. Finished training at 16:30, couple of beers, Calamari and bed.

17/04/06
Operation Saving Private Skippy commences. That’s right were heading out to enemy territory to bring back the orange sash Ian Marsham. We need his help on the war against the Deadly Dingos and the Raging Red Backs.


Arrived at Geelong Station after a long hazardous journey on train.

We’ve found Skippy, he looks a bit battered, but after a quick clean up and a shave he was right as rain

After a night of negotiations playing Poker and drinking 50 cans of Carlton Extra Strong Lager (hmmmmmmm) we came up with a result. Laurence 5 Aces in one hand won the release of Mr Skippy, Mrs Skippy and Little Skippy	We nearly changed our minds when we saw Ian’s number plate

18/04/06
We treated the Skippy family to a day out to the biggest Aquarium in the world (apart from the Deep in Hull)

I’m Squidword	No i’m Squidword

Everybody’s Squidword

19/04/06
Long hard training again. Learnt the Water Forms and Dragon Forms

We met Brian Cairns, one of the original three who worked in conjunction with Wayne and Angela on their organisation. He had a lot of stories to tell of the history of Sigung Wayne Short.

20/04/06
A visit to Melbourne zoo, I hope the animals are all awake and lively

Laurence talked to a leopard and it fell asleep	Laurence talked to a lion and it fell asleep

Laurence talked to another lion and it fell asleep	Laurence talked to this and it fell asleep

Laurence talked to a hippo and it fell asleep	Laurence talked to a tiger and it fell asleep

A Meerkat and it’s awake	Nope Laurence talked to them and they quickly said its bedtime

21/04/06
Training again, advanced Tai Chi forms where shown and we ended up going through our grading work for the Bo Jutsu qualifications


Mastered the art of the Tri Sectional Staff. You had to be there to see it but Mike sliced a lemon (yes it’s a lemon) in half with one swing of the Tri Sectional Staff

22/04/06
We hear rumours that there were some furry penguins (don’t use that word it’s politically incorrect) in Australia. We set off to southern Australia in search of these fluffy beings. Our first point of contact was the Kangaroo farm that may hold more information

On entrance to the farm we encountered a male Kanga who continued to ignore us. Laurence used some of his Kanga sign language which he learnt in his tour of duties in Vietnam	The Kanga seemed very unimpressed

We then attempted to tell the Kanga a really boring story about Gerbils in order to bore him into giving s the secrets of where the Penguins reside	The Kanga got really angry and started to smash some bricks up. After he had calmed he started to chat to us

We all became great friends and talked about the weather and other Kangaroo topics

But as we started to talk about the penguins the Kanga decided to go for a swim	Just before we left the Kanga whispered into our ears – “see the Koalas”


The Koalas were not very friendly, in fact they just ignored us and went to sleep. But the oil we poured on his tree worked a treat

On again with the journey. Look over their it’s the Australian Grand Prix	A black Llama

Spot the Wallaby	The cruel sea
We finally found the penguins but unfortunately they would not let us take any photos of them (they skanked us). And they said we would see 600 furry penguins but we only saw 20

23/04/06
Waited for Leon outside his place of work

Got a bit board so we invented a game that we called Stones and Leaves (or Noughts and Crosses)

Met a very honourable man called Mr Tan, he made us some sashes for our 2^nd degree work. We thank him and his family very much for all the work that they put in to help

24/04/06
Leave Australia

25/04/06
Land Home

*Phrases of the Journey*
Canna hop on it
Oh its too hot
Awww I’m fed up of all this walking
Markal, come here
Is that Darth Vader?? No it’s the fridge
Don’t let the dingos get yer
We’ve not seen any red backs yet
Happy opposite day
Watch out for the funnel webs
18, 17, 18, 17, 18…….
What’s that
Awww don’t go all moody
Im not
Shall we go to the pub
Is That Dingo Juice
Awwww we’re lost
I don’t like…..(followed by anything)
Is there a dog on it
Sweet cheese (by Michael King)
That bats massive
Too many chips
I’m looking for a book on the Hulk

The war against the Raging Red Backs
Humans	Red Backs
2	0

Conclusion

The holy grail, did we find what we where looking for. Well yes we did but is it the end or has it stirred our minds more
The basic sayings that we will tell you are
As one door closes another one opens
and
Its not about finding answers, it all about asking good questions

So what now

Is this the man we aim to seek more information about or do we know enough	Is this the soul of our art

Is there more to the way of the sword than we know	What does this shield represent and does it give clues to the future of the art

What does the San Chien represent, what are the secret 108 moves. Why was the Way of the Sword introduced. If you have your black sash you need to know these answers then we have them
So again is this the end of what we are trying to achieve? Only the people who really know us will know our next move

Best regards,
*Sifu Mike Mitchell, 2^nd Degree Tai Chi, 2^nd Degree Kung Fu, 1^st Dan Bo Jutsu*
*Sifu Laurence Newton, 2^nd Degree Tai Chi, 1^st Degree Kung Fu, 1^st Dan Bo Jutsu*

To be continued……………






In Search for the “Holy Grail”, Part 2, Legacy of the Emperors

Well, here we are again, on our journeys to fill in the missing pieces of our Shaolin art and to answer the questions that we did not answer on part 1 of the journey. This time Sibok Mike Mitchell, Sifu Odette Mitchell and Sibok Laurence Newton are to venture around China in search of the last missing parts of the Kung Fu and Tai Chi system in order to provide us with accurate and definitive teachings.
You will be amazed at what we are to bring back with us.

The main objectives of the mission are:
Verify all the moves of the 108 San Chien Form

Learn in depth knowledge of Ba Gua Zhang- Eight Trigram Palms
8 Trigram theory
Advanced Chi Gong
Advanced Tai Chi
Nine sectional chain
Chinese Fan

The journey will be as follows:

01/04/07
Set off from the UK

02/04/07
Arrive at Beijng

1) Tian An Men Square	2) Tian An Men Square

3) Tian An Men Square	4) Tian An Men Square

5) Forbidden City	6) Spot Sweet Cheeks for 4 free lessons

7) Forbidden City	8) Forbidden City

9) Forbidden City	10) Forbidden City

11) Temple of Heaven	12) Temple of Heaven

13) "mmmm I wonder where i can get a red hat"	14) Mike continues his search for a red cap with no success

15) Temple of Heaven	16) Temple of Heaven

04/04/07
Arrive in Nanjing


17) Big Park	18) Big Park

19) Laurence finds his true gods of the Dragons to join in his dance	20) Yantze River

21) Yantze River	22) Yantze River

23) Yantze River	24) Yantze River

25) Mike and his collection of signs, saying "hide soldier cave" (1)	26) Mike and his collection of signs, saying "<something> building" (2)
05/04/07
Confucius Temple

27) Confucius	28) The ancient pose of Chris Purcell

29) Confucius lion	30) Shrine of Confucius

31) Mike takes his search for the illusive red cap to Nanjing
06/04/07
Arrive in Suzhou
On our way to Suzhou Odette had the magic idea of stopping at Wuxi to sail along the canal and take in the sites of the country, however the boat ride on the canal was at the other end of town and we had the problem of luggage only realising this after getting off the train we had to wait just over 2 hours before the next one. Never mind. During our relaxing sit down on the stone wall we gathered a crowd who were rather interested in our tattoos and wanted to practice their English on us. We were however warned by a fairly fluent speaking Chinese man that it would be much safer to wait in the waiting room. Arriving in Suzhou we went in search of the famous gardens that were to our misfortune closed
:( maybe tomorrow. Our journey lead us to a rather empty bar with a free pool table, get in :D


32) Odette thrashing mike at pool	33) Ancient markings of unfortunate characters

34) He was rather good at pool
07/04/07
Humble Ministers Garden, North Temple Pagoda, Lion Garden


35,36) Humble Ministers Garden

37) Mikests favouritests vase in the worldest	38) Crazy bonsai tree

39) Lots of bonsai trees	40) Plant pot garden

41) The Buddha wouldn't stop laughing for some strange reason	42) Garden in the North Temple Pagoda

43) North Temple Pagoda

44,45 ) Lion Garden

07/04/07
Arrive in Shanghai
Arrived late in shanghai first impressions werent great we were tired and hungry and it was dark. After a past trial on the Nanjing metro and finding it pretty easy to use we attempted to get the metro to a station a short walk from the hotel. HAHAHA maybe not signs were terrible and people kept showing us to the ticket office for the main railway. We got a taxi in the end and couldnt decide if it was any better as the taxi drivers dont understand the English names of hotels and roads. Made it to the hotel got some beers and a couple of giant pot noodles, BRING ON THE MARKETS.

08/04/07
The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Yuan Garden


46) Picture through a decorated window	47) There was a big crowd here honest

48,49) Yu Yuan Garden

50) View from the Bund of the Huangpu River	51) The search of the Legendary red cap took us to Shanghai but still no luck

52) A view of China's tallest tower from the Bund	53) Mike and his collection of signs, saying "south pole stone" (3)
09/04/07
Visit Jade Buddha Temple,

54) Shrine inside the Jade Buddha Temple	55) Koi for dinner mmmm
Unfortunately no photos were allowed to be taken of the actual jade buddha and you had to pay a second entry fee to go see it what a rip off. Mike did however sneak a bit of footage HAHAHA. It was rubbish.
10/04/07
Arrive in Lantau Island
Woooohoooo were back and this time we have the crazy banana with us oh and Odette. Mike couldn't wait to film it all over again and for Laurence to record over it yay. The first day it was getting a bit late for site seeing after the bumpy bus ride so it gave Mike and Laurence chance to Odette the sites and sounds of the silver mine beach and we had a nice pizza and beer and the China Bear (which wasnt there last year mind)

11/04/07
Visit Po Lin Monastery and Various Temples

56) Man Mo Temple	57) Hung Shing Temple

58) Pak Tai Temple

59) The Silver Mine	60) The Silver Mine Waterfall

61) View of Silver Mine Bay from the highest point we had walked	62) A hidden Grave

63) Which ones the Big Buddha	64) Another Buddha

65) Rarrrrr	66) Mike and his collection of signs (4)

67) Mike and his collection of signs (5)	68) Mike and his collection of signs (6)

69) The Wisdom Path	70) View of the Big Buddha from the top of the Wisdom Path

71) Lantau's tallest peak	72) Tai O fishing village

12/04/07
Arrive in Xian
Well the adventurers almost didn't make it to the hotel let alone Xian, to start we had a trainee Pilot flying the plane and it took 2 bouncy attempts to land the plane. Laurence being asleep as usual never noticed a thing. After the 2nd successful landing we got in to the taxi after a bit of trouble like always the taxi driver set off. After 5 minutes he started to slowly fall asleep :-s not good. Mike had to keep poking him to keep him awake but he assured us he wasn't tired after having several near misses and the taxi swerving from side to side he pulled over for a drink. We set off again and luckily made it to the Hotel in one piece although Mike and Odette's nerves were shot to pieces. The brave travelers followed the rabbit to their rooms and went straight to sleep.

13/04/07
Great Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, Drum Tower


73) "Do you have any King's?" "Go Fish"	74) Dance Snake Hips dance

75) Wild Goose Pagoda	76) Awwwww

77) The trail of the red caps was thing in the Wild Goose Pagoda	78) View from the top of the Wild Goose Pagoda

79) Bell of the Bell Tower	80) Drums of the Drum Tower

14/04/07
Visit the 8th wonder of the world the Terracotta Army, tomb of Qinshihaung and Hauqing Hot Spring

81) We searched the Terracotta Army but still we couldn't find any red caps	82) THE ARMY

83) You shall not pass	84) Mike and his collection of signs (7)

After the Terrocotta Army we went to visit the tomb of Qinshihaung and we found to our dissapointment that you couldnt go inside, but instead u climbed the stairs to the top of the mound of the tomb where it was spoilt by drinks/tat vendors

85) The stairs to the top of the tomb	86) Map of the inside of the tomb

87) Mike and his collection of signs (8)

88) Pumped source from the hot springs	89) Source of Hot Springs 1

90) Source of Hot Springs 2	91) Temple in the Hot Springs

92) Hmmmm This all looks a bit falsified to me	93) And still we have yet to find a single red cap

94) Garden Hotel Tai Chi Master

16/04/07
Arrive in Guilin
Too hot nuff said

95) Twin Pagodas	96) I'll never find a red cap

97) Mike and his collection of signs (9)	98) Mike and his collection of signs (10)

99) Solitary Beauty Peak

17/04/07
Visit Li River, Reed Flute Caves

100) Li River	101) The Epicentre of the Reed Flute Cave

102) The magic mirror	103) Who wears short shorts

104) Under the sea
18/04/07
Arrive in Beijing
Intense grading with 4 Masters in the art of Ba Gua, Chinese Fan and Nine sectional whip chain.

Well we're back in Beijing Woooo Hoooo and its time to start our real training oh and don't forget the markets. This time we're staying in a different hotel pretty easy to get to and with our knowledge of the metro we can go anywhere.

19/04/07
Summer palace

105) Half horse half dragon thing Rarrrrrrrrr	106) Ahoy red caps dead ahead

107) Hmmmm maybe not, damn we'll never find one	108) We took a pedal boat around the Summer Palace lake nice to see mike busy as ever

109) Nei Hoe	110) Temple on a hill

111) Laurence had Cupping therapy done 14 cups in total	112) Michael had tread back walking and 4 left over cups

22/04/07


113) Laurence being given his painted Chinese name "Happy Cloud"	114) Michael being given his painted Chinese name "Arriving Cloud"

115) From left to right: Yu Xuan Zhang, Master Zhang Sheng Li, Odette Mitchell, Mike Mitchell, Laurence Newton

116) The Training Court Yard

23/04/07
The Great Wall of China

117) Simatai Section of the wall	118) Just chillin

119) So many steps	120) I love climbing up steps

121) Not them again	122) The sign at the 14th tower

On the 19/04/07 something terrible happened mike being obsessed with finding a red cap took an unfortunate turn for the worse. Those who frighten easily please look no further as a local photographer took pictures of the horrific event.




Mike got caught up with the package holiday and was never seen again

*Phrases of the Journey*
You'll get stuck (referring to Laurence)
Wait for me (Odette)
Hurry Up (Referring to Odette)
How do I wee into a hole in the floor (Odette)
It's rubbish (Laurence)
It's pennies
Have you still got cheese on your hand
Stop being Disgusting (Referring to Odette)
Awww mi back (Mike)
Your feet stink (Referring to Mike)
Told ya
Sweet deal DM
It stinks (Referring to the streets)
Wheres the Crazy Banana
Stop Pressurising
No washer woman I don't want to buy your wares
Let me see your wares
Haggle, Haggle, Haggle

Laurence's song to the tune of "I'd like to teach the World to sing" I want to fly in a world of trees and dance with a chimpanzee with fluffy chickens and forest fires and hamsters without knees