 |
 |
Alix was born in Scotland, and grew up mostly in the north of England. In his late teens, Alix began developing a keen interest in illustration and design, particularly during the two years he spent in the Headingly area of Leeds, living in the 'bed-sit' land close to the university, while working in a car repair shop and as a silver service waiter and barman in the evenings. Pursuing a career in commercial art, he landed a day-time job at as a sign designer, and an evening job in a small advertising design house, and spent the weekends producing copies of classic oil paintings for a local merchant. However, at the same time, he also developed an 'itchy feet' ailment. In search of a cure to this malady, he set off travelling to various countries of western and southern Europe, the Middle East and Asia Minor, but unfortunately, the condition only worsened.
All this time, he hadn't the slightest interest in learning martial arts, and very little knowledge of Asian martial arts. One country led to another, and after some years on the road, Alix found himself living and working in Bangkok, Thailand. Being kicked unconscious one night by a group of Thai youths brought the importance of improving self-defence abilities to mind. After earning his first dan black belt in taekwondo, Alix went on to train for his second dan belt, and later pursued black belts in Shotokan karate and aikido. Finally, however, attention inevitably turned to Chinese martial arts, and he took up classes in hong chuan and chang chuan, the two mainstays of Chinese gung fu, as well as taking Saturday afternoon classes at a yong chun dojo for some months.
Father, left, circa 1944, mother (seated) and sisters, circa 1999
Hiking, particularly on mountain trails, is an interest Alix developed while living in Hongkong in the mid-1990s, while photography has been a recurrent interest over the years, dependant as it is, on having sufficient funds to pursue. His other main interest, language learning, is a natural consequence of spending long periods living and working in various countries.
Alix comes from a largish family, with one brother and three sisters. Both parents now long gone, his siblings live in various parts of the British Isles and Switzerland.
This Site is Seeking Sponsorship. Interested parties please e-mai: sponsorship@gmail.com