The Cat's Whiskers

Two weeks to the day since we got home and it has been unrelentingly miserable, cold, grey and damp, with only one sunny day. I had hoped to get a few of the outstanding crag-shots for Peak Limestone; not a chance. On the plus side, home comforts have been a treat, and I have managed to crack-on with the layout of the book; it is starting to look rather good.
Sherri has found a 'pet', a local cat that has taken a shine to her - or at least the treats she gives it. It is an looking odd critter, a Cornish Rex apparently, but it is very affable.
A trip to the Blanca looms, it looks lovely down there are the moment - a stay of a couple of months would be nice - can't wait!

Home is Where your Heart is?

The journey back to the UK was about as hassle free as you could hope; we watched the sunrise over the Turkish coast and I assume it set in the grey murk as we cross the Snake Pass heading for home.
The week has zipped by, so much too do, and the home comforts have been great, though I know at least one of the team is missing her beach walks and semi-tame cats.
Saturday it even snowed a bit - which was nice and festive - buggered our journey up north to see the parents mind. We will try again tomorrow.

Homeward Bound

It is that time again - four and a half months in Paradise and it is all coming to an end - bugger. We had a very pleasant session at the Babis household yesterday evening for his 'name-day' and today we have started the sort out ready for an early start on Sunday morning. Last year it took us five days to get home, lets see if we can improve on that.
We finished the work at Sector St George, bolted the last two routes and painted the names on the rock. Then we took the drill back to the Municipal Office and return home to find my bolts from Germany had arrived - typical!
To soften the blow of the return to the UK (4C - that can't be right) we have already booked some accommodation in Spain for next month. I am wondering about taking the STi across to Santander on the ferry and driving down - I wonder how rough the Bay of Biscay gets in March?

Driller Thriller

That's Colin's 10 days over and done. He stuck about 60 bolts in Crag X (now known as Sector St George), trundled some big rocks and put up eight worthwhile routes from 6a to 6c. We also had three rest days when we went climbing!
The birthday 'do' in the bar was a pleasant one with a few friends and locals gathered, Babis cooked pizza for all of us, champagne flowed and we sang Happy Birthday to the old bugger. The locals were very impressed with the way Colin demolished 1/4 of his cake in double quick time - and that was after three slices of pizza!

New Route Fever

On our various ramblings we have been keeping an eye open for possible new routes and spotted a decent looking crag not far from Pothia.
As it was soon to be Colin's 65 birthday we flew him out and pointed him at the crag - I know he loves a challenge. Two days on and three new routes have already appeared, and if we say so ourselves they are quite good!
All we need now are some names.
The cost of the gear to equip a route is a bit of a shocker mind, a hanger 12mm bolt is around €5 and 'proper' lower-off is €35. The three routes have two lower-offs and 24 bolt runners, you can work out the total easily enough!

Monday Morning Blue

The magnificent Arhi was deserted, so we had the whole place to ourselves which is rare event. Last time we were there (New Year's Day) it was rammed. Despite the showery forecast there was a cool northerly breeze and wall to wall sunshine, perfect climbing conditions. Factor in the great routes, beautiful rock and the fact that it was Monday morning - could it possibly get any better? Oh and Sherri has booked the flights home - bummer!

Not set to leave for four weeks mind!!

Exploratorium

We had a great day craging over in the Three Caves on Telendos, though I got a bit chewed by 'the only crack on the island'. Also we have continued to poke away looking at various bits of undeveloped rock - there is a lot if it about when we started looking. The brief is tricky mind, it needs to be not to far from the road, not to high and not too hard; plus Aris says it has to have a 10-15 routes to make it worth a visit by other teams.
We may have found a candidate not far from Pothia, Colin is coming out next weekend, and I have already borrowed the drill so watch this space!
Today we had a walk to another Crag X which I reckon may have room for 50+ routes, far too big an undertaking for me mind - I'll hand it over to the locals!

Click on the shot to the right (twice) for a full sized version of the crag.