Sunday 23 February 2014

A Flier


My father's 90th birthday and vague hope of getting some of the missing crag shots for Eastern Grit III persuaded us 'home' for a quick week - though I'm not sure Sherri was totally convinced. We said a sad farewell to the cats and just a few hours later were in a wet and cold Liverpool. Friday was a half-decent (for February) day so it was Curbar with Graham and Steve - in the event I got all the shots I wanted and we even got a couple of routes done. Saturday was an early start, a surprise for my parents (who thought we were in France) and a big get-together for the Craggs/Ramsey Clan and then onward to Sherri's mum in Saltburn for yet more food and more being talked at.
Sunday was back to Sheffield, a damp day so a chance for a bit of getting organised. The three days we had left, had a half-decent forecast and in the event I photographed some of Baslow and Gardoms, as well all of Chatsworth, Agden and Cratcliffe - turns out it was the driest spell for over two months.


Of course the big news is that we have booked flights to Singapore for June as part of planning a trip to Australia - only a 1st step as the whole idea is a bit scary/daunting - but all journeys have to start somewhere and just booking part of it gives us the option of changing our minds!

Sunday 9 February 2014

Winter Wanderings

Almost eight weeks have passed since we rolled up to Chez Arran in the wonderful Ariège, already the days are starting to lengthen and the 1st signs of Spring are on the way. We had our 1st visitors in the shape of long-time friends Steve and Sue Warwick. They were very pleased to leave the grotty weather of the UK (the wettest winter for centuries if the hype is to be believed) and do some snow-shoeing, climbing and walking in the mountains.

Top: Chouila snow-shoeing


Bottom: Mas d'Azil Cave

Before they arrived we visited the amazing Mas d'Azil cave to the north-east of Foix. The area has been inhabited for more than 30,000 years and the scale of the cave - with its road running right through it - is amazing.

I have cracked on with Eastern Grit 3 - looks like I might finish it several months early - so with that being the case, I'll be looking for a new project quite soon!

And it Continues

Exploring the coast north of Altea February in the Costa Blanca Three weeks on and we are still seeing slow improvements in my stamina, bala...