Not written anything, for over a year. Not because I had nothing to write about, but mostly because I've been getting fed up of social media and the tendency of drawing attention to oneself. However, this year we've been to lots of places (many of them new), done loads of climbing, met up with several old friends and made many new ones. Undoubtedly it's been a cracking year.
Lourmarin in frosty January, last time was in the early 90s.
Reguchillo, Mula, El Queso and La Muela during a few wet weeks in February and March. At La Muela we met up with super keen wads Luken Hernandez and Penny Scully (and their crazy chicos Soca and Solo, who entertained Ruff). At Mula we spent a few lovely days with our old friends Eddie and Mandy Martinez, who were enjoying cycling in the area. Sadly, that was the last time we saw Mandy; tragically she passed away in June.
Climbing at home and Oltra Finale (in Italy) in April and May, and doing my 8a+ training route for the 100th time.
La Baleine, at St Leger, in May and June, sharing some tufa tips with Kev Avery and meeting up with life long friends Al and Barb Stewart. Also hanging out at the crag with Yogi and Jagna (from Canada), Matt and Anna (from Australia) and Bertrand (Toulouse) and Kristy (Chamonix).
Escaping from the summer heat to Switzerland; climbing at Van d'en Haut in July with Dave and Rhian (stand out route: L'ete Indien), meeting lots of friendly Swiss climbers (especially Haf, from Bethesda, and Sylvan) and hooking up with Twid. (Last time we climbed together was a weekend in 1990, I led Wreath of deadly nightshade, on North Stack Wall, and he led Authentic desire on Cloggy, so long ago that Twid actually had hair!)
We returned home for a week at the beginning of August to help Garreth Scott install his first Digital Training Board in France, here at Art Bloc in Nice.
Joining up with the Chadster, Ben and Karyl for perfect conditions at Simplon Dorf in August.
September: climbing Triste Lune, a dream route in the Verdon. Lots of new routes in the Vercors (and meeting up with Ian and Judith, a lovely couple from Nottingham).
Returning to St Leger in September and October, making the most of the unusually quiet and dry crags. Stand out route being Le désespoir des singes.
Revisting Carros, after 22 years, to sample Manu's excellent new routes in October. Phil Ralph and Pete Blackburn (friends from Elaine's time at I M Marsh in Liverpool) came to stay and sample the climbing in the area.
And finally 3 wonderful weeks in Rodellar in November, simply because Tanya Meredith and Anna Gilyeat lured us across with tales of quiet and dry crags (normally Rodellar is understandably far from quiet). Also great to spend time with Steve Crowe and Karin Magog.
It's great to be back home and bouldering at Art Bloc. However I have injured a miniscus in my left knee, which needs attention. First rdv with Patrick Vialli (our amazing sports physio) is in a couple of days.
Special thanks to Eric and Edith, our lovely neighbours, for looking after our house when we've been away.
