Parts missing... parts replaced.

Without going into the ins and outs of why when I finally moved to Wales I wasn't able to bring all of my training kit I'd managed to assemble over the years. I think, without checking, that I had at one point some 30+ grippers. Most of these were won or donated.

I was able to bring a small amount of standard 1-inch bore plates, certainly enough for a pinch workout or three, but ended up being limited by the load capacity of the Luton van my son-in-law Lee and myself used. As any of you who've moved home AND have a home gym of some training kit will know 1500kg is NOT enough of a capacity.

So not only was stuff missing (stolen, sold, scrapped - who knows - together with a good deal of furniture. I'm out well over 3000 quid based on what it cost me) but some stuff had to stay behind. Throw in kit that belonged, so to speak, to the gym itself (now sold off in lieu of bills and the gyms doors will be locked for the final time real soon) that could also not make the journey, or even a return journey and I had need, if only to have a home gym again, of replacing some bits.

One has to temper any temptation to go on a shopping spree with a need for other works needed at the new place (see my Facebook album here). Yet even though I am awaiting the day of running water, followed by hot water and more, the card has been abused. It did, it would seem, take some persuading for Bodypower / Fitness Superstore to accept that I WAS the cardholder. Having moved from an address in Kent to Wales the billing address was not the delivery address. A few hoops jumped through and I now await delivery of some 325-kilos in Olympic 2-inch bore plates.

Watsons (via Savage Strength), on the other hand, had no such issues and so I already have a lightly knurled, tubular 'thick bar' insisting  in the rack. My Vulcan gripper, shortly to be upgraded by virtue of a collector wanting a V1 version and so sending a new V2 in its place and some grippers made it. Missing is my old and faithful Ironmimd 3 and ALL the CoC 4's I had. I could go on but it's energy wasted and I plan on winning more at the next competition.

I do have to say I have, as before, been surprised and grateful for the kindness others have shown. I'm being helped in my contest prep by one buddy and another helped sell on some bits-n-bobs that remained (we split the cash). It IS a shame stuff never made it but training goes on and I can always use the annoyance as a motivator for various up-coming sessions of working out. So I'll grit my teeth, grind out another rep and get the f@@k on with it. You with me?