Sensei Paul Derrick (Or Noel Coward as he is now known) was so moved by the experience and warm welcome that we had received from our host Babis Cachingkis that he wanted to share his lyrical talent with the group, so below is his poem:

I invited Sensei Riley to visit me,

And he issa here in Athens right now,

He's also brought lots of his students,

So I'sa thinking "what a wonderful cash-cow"

When I invite Sensei Riley to teach for me,

I'm sure it would be very nice,

And 'cause I'm a clever man innit,

I think I can charge them all twice.

Although he's not Hombu registered,

Sensei Riley's aikido's not bad,

But I don't want him to give me an 'ouchy',

So he mustn't find out he's been had.

I gotta hundreds of students to turn up,

(well, two, three or four anyway),

I donna know how he gets his to travel so far,

'cause they live such a long way away.

I pretend to learn Sensei's aikido,

So I ask him to teach on my mat,

But if my phone goes off while he's teaching,

I'll disappear saying "sod that".

I won't a bother to talk to his students,

Even though they're here for a week,

(except when the pretty ladies are changing,

I might burst in to take a quick peek).

I'm such a good host for Aikido,

Where else would he get such great care,

It's not like he'll teach anyone else while he's here,

So he'll have no way to compare.

Ittsa all gone so well in my tiny mind,

They all love me and without any fear,

I'll invite them all back to do it again,

Then rippa them off worser next year.

I think something's wrong with my facebook account,

My friends have all gone I can tell,

Except for that nice student Ian,

"Oh s***", now he's gone as well.

Signed: Babis Rippemoffalot,

Athens, 2017

Well done Paul, we think you deserve 3 jars of jam and a pot of marmalade!!!!!!!

On reflection a great time, suitably located hotel and a large group of friends had a wonderful experience in Athens. In the true spirit of the foundation of Aikido.