Cool as....

Three and a half weeks in the Ariége, in the depths of winter, and it has been pretty damn pleasant. Very little rain so far, warm day-time temperatures and no snow - not yet anyway - the forecast suggests things might be going to change.

Left: Sherri on top of the Clot de Colombiere

Nights have been cool, the current record stands at 0.6C which isn't too bad. Regular checking of the weather back in the UK proves we aren't missing anything, it has sounded unremittingly wet, grey and miserable.

Right: Winter woods and stream

We have explored more of this great area, done a bit of climbing and work pretty solidly on the Costa Blanca guide - it goes to the printers in 10 days - as ever the final haul is a bit of a battle - but it will soon be out of the way. That will be three books produced in around 10 months - of course I have been working on them for several years but has still been the most productive period ever. A bit of a break is in order, a few places need visiting (climbing) - and there are other projects simmering away - all of which are Top Secret!