Around the gym - ropes and stuff.

Recently we had a "working-bee" at the gym.



We came into possession of a fairly large quantity of heavy duty rope. The kind of stuff they use, for example, to lash frigates down in a storm.

The fact that one of our members is in the navy, has nothing to do with anything.

Pay no attention to that frigate floating past...

We use the rope for striking, to develop power. This means we can hit people harder. See some earlier (and, no doubt, later) posts for photographic evidence of the resulting bruises.

So, we had a bunch of rope. And we had to cut it into managable lengths. We made a bit of an occasion of it and had a BBQ - South African style.

(Important note: My spelling of some SA terms is likely to be way off. Please don't take offense. Or hit me at training.)

BBQ is a big thing in New Zealand, but we get a bit flash. Some friends of the Girlie and I have a bbq that is pretty much an entire kitchen. This can get a bit much. The South African bbq is called a braai.



This is pretty basic. A big bowl and some coals, and a grill on top. None of your fancy 4-gas-hobs-and-hotrocks here! Luckily, we have Bradley, a South African chef, in our group.



So, while Bradley was cooking, the rest of us got to work on the rope.

We cut it down to lengths we could bundle up and hang down from the ceiling.



And this is how it looks set up to use.



And here's Kurt, showing how we use it...





And Pete's just itching for a go...



It wasn't all about whacking ropes. There was some other work going on.



I'm not quite sure what Jackson was doing...





... but I'm pretty sure the bag won!

It was all a bit much for the next generation (Damian's son, Kieran)



We have quite a nice gym.






There's even an office for Damian to look busy in.



So... with the work all done, time for nosh. We were introduced to the South African treat known as boreworst. A kind of spicy sausage. Very yummy!



All in all, a good day's work.

Pete thinks so, but Damian looks concerned...