A full corporate day trip towards the Plaka with Sensei Frank Burlingham as tour guide - well kind of. The morning was very warm so the first port of call after 15 minutes walk was a lovely bar which had enough seating for the entire entourage. The ladies had already scoped out the orange juice and coffee on a separate trip.

After partaking the refreshments, we walked around the Plaka dressed in our grey corporate t-shirts. A day for fun and laughter, trying on hats, Grecian dresses and that was when Jackie and Rose decided they wanted to be Spartans and tried on helmets - Jackie was Jason from the Argonauts and Rose was Gladiator. The sword was taken off the display and plunged delicately into Rose's throat and stomach, all of this whilst the shop owner was looking on in dismay. Rose ended up with a self inflicted war wound on her head by ramming the helmet down too far, oops a daisy.

Onto another shop where Rose and Jackie decided that they wanted to buy fans that had been used in the previous night's performance. While demonstrating them in the shop, Paul Leadley knocked over a shisha pipe nearly breaking it and the rest of the party was asked to leave the shop.

Jackie, Rose and Lola were by this time trying to lead the party to view more ancient Greek relics that they had found previously, but oh no ... someone noticed through a metal fence that there was a dead cat and this grabbed everyone's' attention. Jackie said pointing in the opposite direction "we've got ancient Greece over here but they are more interested in a dead cat". 10 minutes studying the dead cat and 2 minutes saying oh yeah to the rubble.

Time for food: The group went into the square and found a lovely little alfresco cafe that could accommodate us all on 1 very large, long table. Food and beer ordered, hassle free again.

Whilst sat at the table, we were overcome by smoke from a spit roast behind the cafe. Two full animal carcasses were being roasted, (we didn't know if to call them sheep or lambs). Whilst one of them was rotating Shane happened to notice with his sharp eagle eyes for detail something bobbing about on each turn. It's a pair of balls, to which we all sniggered and Jackie and Rose went over to take a closer look. Yep he was right, they were definitely a pair of balls. Shaun being a butcher went for a closer inspection and then said one's a male and one's a female, to which Simon Barrand replied, you don't have to be a butcher to know that - this resulted in more laughter from the party.

After being fully fed and watered, Frank showed us through the flea market where street sellers were showing their wares. This stopped the whole party in its tracks while they chose which splat toy they wanted to buy. Some chose pigs, others tomatoes and even a rat. Needless to say that none of these lasted very long once they were back in England.

Proceeded on our leisurely stroll at the foothill of the Acropolis to the square we had been in on the previous evening which we had only seen in total darkness. Refreshments were required and into a bar run by a Greek Leeds United supporter, who found us a private upstairs seating area and then ran downstairs to put his Leeds United songs on for us to listen to, ok after a couple of times hearing the same song, we got bored.

Rose and Jackie needed to visit the ladies before the drinks order was taken, which left the rest of the party in total confusion, needless to say that they waited for our return - bless them.

Graham was leaving for home today and met up at the bar with us once, he was all packed and sorted - ok and sobered up a little. Graham was the only one who knew the shortcut back to the hotel so he became the group leader and we all followed on like sheep.

Another evening meal was organised with the assistance of the receptionist at a tranquil tavern, the only problem was we only had the address for it and didn't really know the way. A map was given to Ian (now known as Mr Pathfinder), who started directing us using the map but then changed to GPS on his phone. He's a good Pathfinder!!

The taverna was off the beaten track and down a side road, such a tranquil and relaxing setting. Food and beer ordered, lots of banter and laughter had by all for the entire evening.

On the way back, Jackie asked Shane and Tony to nip up to the balcony, Shane and Tony pulled a little grumpy face as they wanted to go to Tony's bar instead. Jackie's tone altered and said "come up to the balcony" then softened into a "if you wouldn't mind please". Everyone went onto the balcony to present gifts of appreciation to all our Sensei's.

Shihan Riley, Sensei Burlingham, Sensei Hesletine all received a t-shirt bought by the group. Shane also received a wallet as he had previously sent the ladies on a wild goose chase to try and find his the previous morning. Sensei Derrick received a white panama hat, as he had tried one on, on the balcony a few nights earlier and we all decided he looked distinguished and like Noel Coward. The hat fitted him perfectly, so we now know his head is the same size as Lola's but with a ponytail. Shaun was also given a bottle of Metaxa for organising the flights and hotel accommodation for us all.

After the presentation, Shannon was awarded her 6th Kyu grade as she was a new member to the club, but her performance and dedication on the mat had been outstanding. Well done Shannon.

A night cap on the balcony and all retired to bed.