Jul 02 2009
Top weekend last - evening climbing with Forshaw at Trowbarrow (did Assagi, classic HVS ***, ace fun), then climbing on Sat day with group, Julie and H & H. Sun back home for the dad’s 60th meal which was great, then into a full week of Dolomites related stuff.
Off tomorrow (provided car gets through LPG service) to Sams for weekend of tunes, rock and beerage.
Jun 22 2009
After a great many years, I’ve finally been passed on my Single Pitch Award - the UK NGB in sing;le pitch climbing and abseiling. Did the training about 9 years back with Sam and Ellie Read at Moor crag with Giles, this Assessment was done with Andy Brown (MIC) from http://adventures.org.uk .Only two of us on the course, and the other happened to be a headmaster of a Secondary School in East Lancs. It’s probably only a matter of time until I bump into him!
The course went well, I realised I’d not done anywhere near enough ‘revision’, so thanks to Simon Waterworth and Terminator at their place in Ambleside, I did a few extra hours of group bondage tying each other up, which enabled me to work with a lot more confidence and get through everything ok on the Sunday. Could have been touch and go, but the Gods were shining on me that day!
Good crack that weekend, with Andy ably assisted by Emma and Phil from Newton Rigg. Probably time to work out what we’re going to do for County Camp now!
Jun 01 2009
An ace weekend in North Wales. After a frantic week installing a server, a managed wireless installation and 100 voodoo pretend netbooks, I was shattered and in need of R&R (Thursday night I got 15 mins kip in Burnley services after work to ensure I got home in 1 bit). Grabbed Tom and Maria J, and headed Westwards. G0t to Snowdonia around 17:00, not too much of a problem before the real rush set in. Did Monolith Crack on Gribin Facet. More of an adventure than a climb, and was harder than the VS I did the following day, though it was S!
Round to Nant Peris to meet Heather with a couple of mates. Up to the cottage to meet many others (Dave, Trace, Johnothan etc), then beers and sleeps after catching up til 0200 ish.
Saturday was adventure day. Off to Cloggy, high on Snowdon. 1.5 hours stomp in the swealtering heat nearly killed us, but we got there eventually. Did Longlands Climb - classic VS with Heather, with Tom and Christian behind. Good fun but quite easy. The final overhanging pitch luckily was easy to protect from the ground, then with some grunting and a ‘thuggish’ approach I hauled myself up and over the 10′ crux. Chilled out at the top, attracting odd looks from walkers on the Rangers path.
Ran away to a BBQ at the cottage with some other mates of Heathers’ that had been at Cloggy at the same time. Ate food, drank booze, fell asleep in front of fire for several hours whilst still drinking and occasionally joining in the conversation.
Sunday was a slow start … and a slower end. We all crawled out of bed around 9 ish, I chucked some breakfast on, then we managed to get as far as the front garden in glorious sunshine … and didn’t get any further! About 4 hours later me and Tom left to Betwys to try out some kit and eat cake, then drive home.
Ace to see everyone, also very good to climbon Cloggy at last. Desperatly want to go back there now!
May 25 2009
Without trying, I’ve managed to up my climbing standard. Well, without intending to is more like it.
Friday I went with Ron K and Tomboy to Liverpool Phil to watch a set of guitarists. Andy McKee and 2 of his collegues - very impressive. Mad techniques of rhythym, tapping, slide and other stuff all in one. An experience of people very committed to their niche!
Saturday was most chilled on this ‘weekend off’. Hit the Gym, painted the loo, went to opticians, ordered new specs, found eyes had not got any worse (good news), back home, painted more loo, painted bog door and then chilled. Got the offer for a gig/party in Ambleside but was tired, so did some Risk Assessments for Dolomites trip (Party animal me).
Sunday met Tom in Ambleside around 10 ish. Headed over to the Langdales and did Pluto on Raven Crag (4c 4c 5a) - HVS. The first HVS I’ve ever led (multi), and the first HVS I’ve climbed since I was climbing with Comber at Anglezarke in around 1991. Found it reasonably straightforward. Didn’t exactly cruise it, but took my time and didnt’ get phased by any of it. After doing that we did Bilberry Buttress VS next to it as well (4b 4c 4b), was ace. Shattered at the end of the day, though buzzing.
Monday was holiday bank, and went for run in am then over past ‘rents to Brian’s 60th doo in Skem. Did some tunes with Ellie, Creed and Phil which was cool. Caught up, had laughs and enjoyed some most excellent company. Then home for scran, beers and “Snakes on a Plane”, which is a bit like Ronseal.
Great Days. Here’s hoping the weather holds for next weekend!
May 16 2009
That almost sounds like a tag line for an ad. campaign.
I’ve been doing some reading around the past couple of weeks into & around the Euro elections. Who’s standing, what the issues are and so on. Unfortunatly, what with the level of Politician hatred that’s kicked off this past week, and with the compounding effect of increasing voter apethy as time goes on, I’m getting increasingly worried that some of the more extremist fringe parties are going to get a seat at the European Parliament, which (to be honest) scares me.
At the last set of elections, the BNP managed a result of around 6.5% in the North West of England. That wasn’t just in the areas that they’re known to be strong (Burnley, Oldham etc), but they managed to field candidates in many seats throughout the region. Low voter turnout was cited as the reason that they managed to get in -they had motivated their electorate but the rest of the main parties had managed to turn ‘off’ Joe Bloggs, and hence they got the seats.
The worrying thing is (that pundits and journalists would have me belive), as soon as they hit the 10% mark, then it’s pretty guaranteed that they’ll get a seat on the European Parliament. Due to where we are now, and our complience (whether you believe it is right or wrong) with the EU parliament and the policies which come out from the EU, if far right parties such as the BNP were to have seats on this decision making board, all of Europe would be effected. It would legitamise other far-right parties throughout the continent, and miniority groups would suddenly find themselves ‘unwanted’ in their society, rather than ‘embraced’. This gives me real cause for concern.
And the worst bit, is that if they hit the 10% mark, then if rumours are true, they’ll automatically get invites to regular shows such as Newsnight on the Beeb. Which then projects their viewpoint, albeit in a carefully managed and packaged product, into the heartland of the UK. That’s the disturbing thing - they suddenly would become a legitamate force in UK politics, rather the unwanted black sheep of the family (pun intended).
So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’m asking you to spread the word out there. Not so much to vote for one of the main parties if you don’t believe their politics, just VOTE, and don’t waste your ballot. Hell, if you’ve real beef with the UK being managed by Europe, evan vote UKIP if you actually believe with their policies. Just make sure you use it though.
As the EU website says on the notion of “Why Vote” :
By voting in EP elections, you choose who influences your future and the daily life of close to 500 million fellow Europeans. If you don’t bother, somebody else will - and decide who represents you at the only directly elected Pan-European assembly. Elected MEPs shape the future of Europe for 5 upcoming years. Get the Europe you want! If you don’t vote, don’t complain.
I know that voter apathy is high at the moment, and the whole Politican/fee thing has ruined the faith that the Electorate has, but if you’re honestly concerned about keeping your joy if you work in the public sector, or worried for the stability of society if you’re in a minority group, make damn sure you and everyone you know votes in the upcoming elections. I truly beleive in this situation that not voting for whatever reason, is a very foolish (if not downright stupid) thing to do. We’ve taken a bloody long time to get to this point in our society, and ignoring the democratic process because you can’t be arsed or think its cool is unbelievably self centred. One person, one vote.
Use it - and try to encourage others to do the same.
