Climbing Again

A few trips with Paul to a new climbing venue "Fairy Quarry" in the evenings and I 'm feeling on form again. First lead for nearly a year was HS then a VS with a cracking hand traverse before attempting an E1 on sight. Frustratingly got within 6 feet of the top but couldn't crack the last move, evidently a very wide stretch for a hidden crimp. An abseil in the dark eventually saw us safely down.

An early start was required the following morning for a very long day in Belfast and by the evening I could feel the stiffness in my shoulders and calves not helped by inactivity on the flight.

Out of the office most of this week, then just 5 work days to go until I start the Pyrenees Adventure for real! Annoyingly I have to continue to commute to London one day a fortnight until early October to complete one of my projects.

Getting ready for the life style change

My stressed out, sedentary existance of the last few months is coming to an end shortly (in 4 weeks to be precise) so I've decided to try and cushion the shock. I've started running and cycling again to augment my regular trips to the gym. It's been a while since I was on the bike so I decided to cycle the 40-50 mile round trip to the Bath and West Agricultural Show. I new it was hilly crossing the mendips but it's amazing how in a car you just don't notice the hills. Getting there was fine but coming back on an even more hilly route, on an empty stomach and in the hot weather totally goosed me! Had to stop in at Paul and Tracy's en route for sustanance.

The show was a bit disappointing. Was hoping to reasearch pigs, chickens, tractors, tools, etc. But it wasn't much help and the £18 entrance fee was a bit steep. Bumped into celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey - he's taller than I imagined (or perhaps I'm shorter?). Managed to find a waxed jacket for £30 which will do for the winter and save wear and tear on the gortex mountaineering gear which I tend to wear 'cos I haven't got anything else that's waterproof.