great weather for kites

It was so windy today even the Reindeer were in the low hills.

No snow flakes to be seen, just remarkably deep heather - all good training for the winter?

all we need is the white stuff

I can safely say that I am not going to be cold this winter.

My only dilemma now is to decide if the plum looks better with the salsa, berry or peacock.

I have also received an adventure kit - all I need to do is have an adventure...

Errr.....

Ok, flights booked - next adventure is imminent

in need of a rest

The big holds no longer feel big enough.

I am finding it hard to carry the shopping from the car to the flat.

It must be time to come home very soon ....

run away

It was Colin Mortlock who spoke about adventure, peak adventure and misadventure - trying to get the balance right when it comes to choosing your adventure and not ending up in a wooden box.  I know my limits as I sat on the rock watching them head out one by one.

And then, a few moments later they all returned, all deciding that it was good to live and the route can wait until another day, when the waves perhaps aren't so boofy and scarey.

more deadly things

Not only do we have to contend with sharks in le sea.  But now we have to contend with praying mantis on the path whilst wearing flap flips.

mr happy

Mr Happy came from the Smithy Santa last year, and took up residence on my little Alpine pack.

Mr Happy had completed his first Scottish winter season, climbed fat ice in Norway, ski toured in the Alps, summitted Muztag Ata, climbed numerous Munro's and had just embarked on his first bolt clipping experience.

Well, today "there has been a murder, and no-one is taking responsibility"

Mr Happy is obviously no longer Mr Happy :(



jaws

Last night, Gnome & Di were speaking about swimming in le sea, and what to do if you saw a shark.

Since there seemed little point in trying to outswim the large fish, we thought that we could pretend to be a log or a large piece of driftwood so large fish would choose to ignore you.

Catrin said that we should poke its eye's out.

Today, they forecasted cloud.  They were most definately wrong and we only lasted for about 30 minutes at the crag before admitting defeat.

Instead of eating ice cream and drinking beer we thought we would scare ourselves stupid.

Mildly terrifying, completely naive about having to swim to the start of the route and trying desperately not to think about what the best impersonation of a piece of driftwood would be like.

Needless to say, it was a very large G&T this evening.

hydration is the name of the game

It is very important to stay hydrated during all this climbing stuff.

We then took a bottle of the soopie's cheapest vino tinto to a rather fine viewpoint for the sunset, only to discover that the wine had corked.  Oh well........

the new team member

I bought a new guidebook last night which meant I managed to avoid the drowning today.

We went to this crag that was supposed to get morning sun only. The sun left the crag at 1600 and as a result, there was lots of hiding in the trees.

Today, we discovered that Naomi's arm span just fits into my wide angle lens camera - its just not fair.

More importantly, I am embracing the thought of DWS and bought a 4th team member (above).  A bargain at 8 Euros.  It will happen soon ....

living in fear

I thought we were getting some shade over the weekend, but no such luck.

I am going to have to buy some waterwings and a rubber ring tomorrow so that I can go deep water soloing.

I won't be able to sleep tonight from pure fear.....

If I don't blog tomorrow evening, I have drowned.

another +30 degrees C day

It's funny how everyone seems to naturally fit into an evening routine after hiding from the sun all day.

Sam and the Veranda prep dinner before embarking on a marathon run every evening.

Catrin heads down to the sea to bob around playing with the fish and trys to avoid swallowing the water (she failed yesterday).

Di checks the weather for the next day and makes the G&T's.

It goes without say, that by the time that Sam & the Veranda have completed their marathon run, Di is still connecting to the tinterweb and on her third G&T.

the upside down crag

Sam: "I can't remember the last time I went climbing seeking out shelter...."

Catrin: "I can.  It was on Lewis. And it wasn't the sun I was hiding from".

Today, Sam #2 sandbagged Sam #1.  As a result of Sam #2 sandbagging Sam #1, we had the clips in place for an unside down route.

No, really it was :)

the very bright thing in the sky

There was a general theme about today and it mainly involved avoiding the very bright thing in the sky.

So, as the majority of us tourists arrive in Majorca destined for the deck chairs on the beach to soak up the very bright thing in the sky, the girls try desperately to avoid the very bright thing in the sky.

Sam managed to find ice-cream, Di managed to sand bag herself, Miranda complained about being hungry as soon as she arrived at the crag and Catrin is still managed to pull her arse some impressive grades with one working shoulder.

After a rather long period of ming weather back home, it finally looks as if summer has arrived.

it's here

Yup, the white stuff has arrived......

Ok, it will probably be gone by lunch time but ...

More importantly, in today's mail (the mail that comes through the letter box for once) I got one of the nicest cards I have ever recieved.

No, Thank You girls!



a mighty fine day

It was Thea and Martin who had raved about it.

A 47 km cycle with 1200m height gain on some superb single track.

To get one puncture is unfortunate.

To get two punctures is careless.

Possibly some of the best downhill single track that either of us have cycled on.

And with amazing views, you (nearly) forgot about the hike a bike sections.

However, to get three punctures is just bad luck.  Especially when you only have enough repair kits for 2.



So, as Di enjoyed 5 km's of perfect downhill riding, Derek become very grateful for having a very light bike.

Derek is now buying a new pump, a new repair kit and 2 new spare inner tubes.

the hut fairies

The fairies were out at the SMC Ling hut on Saturday.

Enough gas for the next 4 years apparently.