Back to the Blanca - One More Time

Our pad at Mascarat - though not all of it

 After a month of cool windy weather arriving back on the Costa Blanca was a complete tonic, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted as we enjoyed warm sunny days and glorious sunsets. We stopped in the same lovely apartment in Mascarat that we weathered Covid Lockdown 2 in, back in early 2021. I did a bit of climbing but felt vaguely ambivalent about it, not sure if that was because we know the area so well, or I was just happy to enjoy the sunshine without the need to keep scaring myself!

The last supper, Pal and the final sunset

The only fly in the ointment was my second bought of sciatica - the first, in Ariege two months ago was unpleasant, this one was worse, more painful and longer lasting, two weeks in and I still haven't shaken it off. Currently we are stopping in the Ebro Delta, Ariege bound where I will need to hunt out a physio/osteopath.

Off We Go Again

You might guess it is windy around here

 We are due back at Chez Arran mid-December for a couple of weeks cat-sitting so thought we had better crack on. A week in the mountains above Lourdes was very pleasant though the climbing was limited for a variety of reasons. Then south through the Pyrenees to Morata de Jalon, a place we last visited an amazing 19 years ago. It is a great area with a lot of climbing but for almost two weeks the wind has blown, occasionally roaring and on one occasion ripping tiles of roofs and hurling a big wheelie bin into the side of our car - bugger. At least we have got a fair bit of climbing done - there are very few climbers around - which is always nice. 

The way home

We have decided to head to the Costa Blanca for a month, I have a book to finish and (as ever) it looks very nice down there. As an aside, we have been asked to do another possible cat-sitting in Kalymnos in January - house and car provided - that would be a nice mini-break.

Autumn is Here

Calames and mackerel sky

 We climbed with Colin around Briançon for a few days then he was away to Spain with a car load of stuff he was transporting. We stayed a little longer then headed down to Buis le Baronnies, where, once again it was too hot for comfort. There was some confusion about our leaving date, and on the Wednesday morning we had to pack the car in a rush and hit the road. We headed to Chez Arran a day early, luckily they had space for us.

In the event, John's contract to work in South Sudan was late, so we were only needed for two day's cat sitting - the two week's free accommodation was a bonus.

Through the autumnal parks

We got a bit of climbing done but my first ever bout of sciatica put a dampener on things - pretty unpleasant, though manageable through walking and stretching exercises.

Next we are heading west to check out the Haute Pyrenees, last time we were over that way, last February, everything was snow-bound!

The Heat is On/Off

The Maurienne - we like it around here

We had just over a week in the UK and than it was off again - Sheffield > Portsmouth > St Malo > Avallon. The only fly in the ointment was the emergence of a heat bubble just before we set off - the week we spent near Avallon was 33-35C everyday which way too hot to climb. Basically we hunkered down, made a real effort to keep the bedrooms cool and went for gentle local walks.

Our local crag - 120 routes, minutes from the parking

Then it was away to the mountains - five hours to the relative coolness of Aussois up at 4,800' and some climbing - at long last! Things cooled down nicely over the next week and Colin arrived (14.5 hours for an 8.5 hour journey!!) so even more climbing - currently on nine days out of the last eleven.

Then onwards again, over the Galibier Pass (8C and thick fog) to a pad near Briançon for a week - looks like a chance for a bit more rocking.

Currently booked in for two weeks cat-sitting at Chez Arran in ten days time - but just waiting for the final confirmation.

Ready for Off

Last stop in Norway - Thorbjørn's cabin at Riksgransen

Norway was great, the weather was kind, things were cheaper than we expected and we got all the photos we needed - the drone was a massive help with that job. I actually managed to crash it for the first time, clipping the tip of tree on the way into land. It was a spectacular tumble through the tree and down a rubble bank. Fortunately damage was pretty minimal - a split blade and a couple of scuffs - though my ego took more of a battering.

Then it was a three plane hop back to the UK to get ready for our upcoming trip to France and make use of our 180 day visa.

Back to the Peak - at least it isn't raining - for now

I actually went climbing with Colin after a break of 67 days which may never have happened in the past 50+ years. Of course it was hard work, but there is still a glow in the embers of enthusiasm - let's see what France brings

Back Up North

The view from the cabin - northern sunset and cruise liner

 After seven weeks in the UK we filnally got back on the road - taxi to Manchester, flight to Stockholm, swap planes - though it was actually the same one - then up to Kiruna in Arctic Sweden. The two days we were there it pretty much rained all the time - but at least we were away! Then it was up through the mountains, over the border and down into Norway - the weather improved all the way and we were soon established in Thorbjørn's superb cabin just west of Narvik. 

The magnificent Eidetind

A few days in and we have photoed several of the cliffs in the Narvik area - the current book has been out of print for about six years - and some of the peaks around Eidfjord - all for the next edition of the Lofoten guidebook which we hope to have out in time for next season.

Applying for a Six Month French Visa

A few folks have asked about the process in applying for a French 180 day visa. It is quite complicated so I have laid it out in detail below. It is worth remembering once your 180 days are up you still have the 90 days in the Schengen Zone to use. Basically all the paperwork in handled by a company called TLS Contact - presumably so that the French Consulate doesn't have to!

NOTE: The Manchester TLS Contact office moved from Salford Quays to central Manchester (1 Portland Street) in Nov 2023 - parking is a now little tricky, there is a multi-story about ten minutes walk along Portland Street.

Happy bunnies - good to go

French 180 day Visa Application

STRAND ONE (France Visas)

Each applicant needs to:

1 Register with the French Government Website - https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/

2 Decide what type of visa you need (Long Stay More than 90 days)

3 Get your supporting documents together (See  below)

Cost thus far €99 each

STRAND TWO (TLS Contact)

The lead traveller (ONLY) needs to

4 Register with TLS Contact and fill in the details for each traveller https://www.tlscontact.com/en/start-your-visa-journey/

5 Make an appointment with TLS Contact (London/Manchester/Edinburgh) - usually available in a few days

STRAND ONE

Return to the French Visa Website and confirm your TLS appointment. They will give you a checklist. You will need to present TLS with the following for each traveller

i) A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay, at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested. You have to have copies of any pages containing visas, entry and exit stamps etc - on A4 sheets.

ii) Two recent ID photographs.

iii) Purpose of travel/stay - we just said Tourism

iv) Promise not to exercise any professional activity in France, if applicable accompanied by a letter explaining your project.

v) Proof of your socio-economic situation. We took our P60s which showed we were retired teachers

vi) Funds - Last 3 months bank statements (UK account/savers) showing your full name and address, as evidence that you have enough funds for the whole duration of the stay. If you are financially sponsored by your spouse/partner : marriage certificate and bank statements of your spouse/partner.

vii) Accommodation - proof of the first place you will staying

viii) Proof of residency of the host in France: rental agreement or property tirle or, if applicable, statement signed by the host confirming the establishment in France.

ix) Travel health insurance. For stays in France up to 6 months : UK-insured reciprocal healthcare entitlement documents (valid EHIC / GHIC). For stays over 6 months : Private Health insurance covering the entire validity of the visa (up to 1 year), except for retirees receiving a British retirement pension who may provide the S1 Form delivered by the NHS.

 

STRAND TWO

6 Visit TLS with your passports, passport photos and all the above supporting documentation, to get it checked. Hand it all over, pay and wait - around three weeks.

7 Have your biometrics done (iris scan and fingerprints) before you leave the office

NOTE 1 do not sign and date the forms until asked at the appointment

NOTE 2 there are photo booths inside the office - eight quid a pop!


Cost of this section £170 in total.

We used the Premium Lounge service at £50 each - judging by the queues in the main office, it was money well spent, though at the Manchester office this is no longer available.

Wait for three to four weeks (10-15 working days) for the 'collect your passport e-mail' and keep your fingers crossed.

** GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR APPLICATION **

Ticking Over

Derwent Water - busy

 We got back from a hot Kalymnos to find it was just about the same temperature - and a lot more humid - in the UK, not nice. After just a few days we booked a couple of weeks in Penruddock on the northern edge of the Lake District and that was very pleasant once things cooled down a bit. Colin came over and we had a few good days climbing, clipping bolts in a couple of quarries - how times change. Everywhere was pretty busy but I guess that is the UK in summer, even though the schools aren't out yet.

Colin on a tough 6a at Bram Crag Quarry

Then back to Sheffield to work on our  French 180 days visas - currently we are failing badly. On a much more positive note we have booked remarkably 'cheap' flights and car-hire for Northern Norway for early August to work on Lofoten Rock III - that feels a bit better.

Homeward Bound

Myrties from on the hill

 I'm not quite sure how we ended up in Kalymnos in June, it just kinda happened. We had a lovely varied five weeks in Turkey, then with Sherri's great organisational skills we got from Bodrum to Pothia, via Kos Town in just two hours. 

A couple of weeks on Kaly gave us the chance to wind down, grab a few routes and make onward plans. We had feared it might be red hot and really busy, but in the event it hasn't been too bad. A breeze and occasional clouds have kept it bearable, and although there are plenty of folks around, it isn't like the crazy season.

We have a whole heap of jobs to do in the UK including sorting another long-stay French visa and organising a trip up to Lofoten in August, so I don't think we will have a chance to get too bored.

I am sure we will fit in a few mini-trips away and there is also quite a bit of Western Grit that needs photoing with the drone whilst it is still high summer.

Turkey Trotting

Lake Salda

We left Kalymnos in the middle of the afternoon and were in Bodrum by early evening - via two ferry crossings. We spent a couple of days getting sorted and exploring then headed across country to spend a couple of days at Salda with its amazing blue alkaline lake. It was a Bank Holiday and we thought it might be busy, but in the end, everywhere was pretty much deserted.. The town felt a bit like the Wild West, but the people were all super-friendly and the lake was intriguing.  

Taurus Mountains

Then it was onwards to our AirBnb in Geyikbayiri above the huge city of Antalya. It is four years since we were last in the area, and thought it might be a bit warm for climbing, but decided to give it a go anyway. 

Again everywhere was really quiet which was a pleasant surprise. The house was very impressive, cool at night and with the added attraction of some semi-feral cats and some very noisy chickens. We got a bit of climbing done, plus a lot of wandering and enjoying the sun.

Cool (and damp) at 6000'

We figure that we can cope with a couple more weeks before have to contemplate heading back to Kalymnos and on to the UK - we would rather not think about that just yet!

Kalymnos - same as it Ever Was

Kalymnos perfection

There was a time (fifteen years ago) when we had never been to Kalymnos - now I have lost track of how many times we have visited - certainly over twenty and over 2000 climbs done - though many of those ascents are multiple repeats. We always stop at Babis Bar and leave a load of our junk in the cellar so we can just travel with hand luggage, far and away the pleasantest way to go.

Climbing - it's what we do

When we were here in February the west coast resorts were 100% deserted, now in late April the season is up running, everywhere is open and the place is pretty busy, though nothing like 'peak season'. Of course conditions are pretty much perfect.

We have climbed, hiked eaten good food and generally had a great time. On a sadder note, one of our favourite cats, who always comes in when we are here - Big Boy - suddenly fell really ill one morning and Vasso the Vet diagnosed severe heart failure - with no prospect of recovery we sadly agreed to 'let him go'. We stayed with him to the very end - saddest thing we have ever done, sleep easy gentle boy - we will miss you.

Big Boy - so sad to see him go

UK - YES, YEUK

Cloudy and rainy

We had to come back to the UK for a couple of weeks to keep an eye on my mum (95 years young) whilst my sister jetted off to Dubai to celebrate her 70th birthday with on of her youngsters. Coming back to the UK was okay but leaving again could have been problematic as my passport expires in July - so we bit the bullet, shelled out £200 for the 48hr service and picked up my shiny new 'freedom pass' in Durham.

Sunny and muddy

Easter week in the UK incoming, the roads are packed, the weather is shite, everywhere is busy and really expensive, it is really not a lot of fun being back at 'home', even though we did it for years. Currently we have a flight booked back down top Kos (£50) in ten days time, back to Kalymnos and onwards to Turkey - we can't wait!

Wet and muddy

A few photos from the last week give a feel for what we have had to put up with.

Kalymnos out of Season

Sorting the dustbins from the cellar

The three weeks in Cyprus were very pleasant, then it was a double hop, up to Athens and back Kos for the night before an early crossing to Kalymnos as the weather began to get a bit too wild. Ten months since we were last here, and a lengthy six years since Colin was. We often arrive in mid to late March and the place is quiet, but getting here at the end of February saw the whole of the west coast resorts absolutely deserted. Within a week the 'works' had begun with people appearing and the whole of Massouri turning into one big building site - will it be ready for Easter? Probably!

Of course the climbing has been as great as ever, and combined with pleasant temperatures and deserted cliffs - it is about as nice as it can be. Highlights have been Palionisos Beach crag, Trois Illots and Star Wars wall where we have done a great set of climbs upto 6b and all new to me.

Classic Kalymnos sunset

Telendos from above Myrties

Back to Cyprus

Sunset off the balcony

The crossing from Santander was flat calm, a pleasant change from last time, and the complimentary upgrade to Club Class was appreciated - as ever. We had a night in a hotel in Portsmouth, the fact that rats broke into the car and stole a lot of our food was the most memorable thing about that. Then it was three days in Sheffield before we were off again!

Paphos winter sun

A taxi ride (train strike - how typical is that?) to Manchester, followed by another night in a hotel and an early transfer for the four hour flight to Paphos. A week in and we have had a couple of days climbing, spent a day volunteering at the Tala Cats Sanctuary - mostly cleaning food and litter trays, and done some local walks. 

We didn't expect to be back in Cyprus quite so soon - but the winter sun has been a real tonic after all that white stuff. Colin arrives on Wednesday so that will be more climbing on the menu and then it is off to Kalymnos for a month.

A couple of scrubbers as Tala Cat Park

The Six Month Trip Done and Dusted

 

The spectacular road up to Luz-Ardiden skiing

We left Chez Arran and headed west to the Pyrenees south of Lourdes, an area we visited about six years ago for a brief climbing trip. 

One of us (that would be me) made a slight miscalculation as the whole area was snow-bound, it is peak skiing season!!! We made the most of being up amongst the white stuff with some great walks in spectacular scenery.

The plan had been to head into Spain next but the forecast is cold and unsettled into the foreseeable future so we have decided to cut our losses and head back to the UK via the Santander - Portsmouth ferry.

Glorious conditions at Luz-Ardiden

On the plus side we have booked flights to Cyprus for next weekend at a very fair price of £50 each. It is currently around 20C - that will be a nice change. It sounds like Colin might be interested in coming along too - there could be a plan forming.

Costa Brava Cruising

Cliff top walks - Costa Brava

Chez Arran was full over New Year so we had to move out, plus we have already played the game where the place is full of noisy youths celebrating the end of the year into the wee small hours so we were happy to go.

Originally we thought about westwards towards Lourdes but because of the cool and manky weather we decided to head eastwards and over the border to Spain and the Costa Brava. A great call as it turned out, the weather was gorgeous, up to 20C, there was no one about and we got four days climbing on the granite towers of Solius.

Sunset from our tower block

Granite climbing - Solius

We last visited the area an amazing 16 years ago, back in March 2006 and it was certainly good to be back. We stopped on the seventh (top) floor of a tower block, which meant great views and complete peace in our island in the sky. After eleven lovely days we headed back to Chez Arran and back to typical mountain weather, cold, grey and damp.