Autumn sun

Well, despite it being almost November, today was warm enough for a spot of sun bathing- I guess global warming has it's positive side. Absolutely cracking day to be outside climbing. I finally managed to lead my 6c called Cold Turkey, and Lee worked his 8a Elite Syncopations at Dinbren. After finishing up there for the day, we called at Trevor Quarry to climb a couple of the new sport routes. Even the drive there and back was a pleasure.

Bit of a contrast from last weeks storm dodging

Lee ties on ready to face Elite Syncopations: the warmth is actually quite sorporific

Trevor Quarry is one of the few man made crags in the valley- it still has a great atmosphere.

We're only about 2 kms from the Hall where I garden.

The Departed:

believe the hype.
Twists and turns, great performances and flawless direction. Not a nice film, but it's a gangster movie- what do you expect?

Last few days

Here's a few piccies I've taken in the last few days:

View from Dinbren Saturday- changable weather made for a geat atmosphere

Oops, looks like rain on the way

We screeched to a halt on the way back from the crag to catch images of the incredible rainbow- hippies at heart really - barefoot in the rain :¬)

the way home tonight

Sunset over the river Dee

A lone cloud captures the sun for a moment

Just one more...

Please indulge me- I had to share this climbing video: it's pretty inspirational stuff

More photos from Austria

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Chris Sharma

Is one of the worlds top climbers, here's why:

Books n Movies

Book I'm reading at the moment: The Revenge of Gaia, James Lovelock, very good so far, but rather frightening (exactly the intended reaction I think).

Update on Gaia: Put simply, one of the most significant books I've ever read. Everyone should read this- you may not agree with everything Lovelock says, but I guarantee you'll see enough strong evidence for dramatic global heating to start you thinking- and maybe make you realise it's not someone elses problem. Lovelock isn't just scare-mongering- but is also offering some ideas for us to survive.





Films I've seen recently:


A Scanner Darkly - surreal drug induced science fiction- superb. One of my favourite directors.





Volver - another surreal treat- entirely warm and human- Spanish director Almodovar on top form.





The Black Dahlia - Please don't waste your money, get LA Confidential on DVD instead.

Österreich

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria

Is the name of the country where the friends I've just visted live. Most people call it Austria.




I've been friends with Christian and Babs many years, and have been out to visit lots. I've been made to feel so welcome, that I regard them as my Austrian family; I love them loads :¬) I'll add more photos and text soon, but for now here's a few of my favourite images from the weekend:

Christian and Babs new house- (I helped to tile the roof !)

Bubbles in Stansted Airport

Autumn leafs outside Christian n Babs new house

Sunset on Sunday, the hills around Stainz

Babs Grandad rests here- he once cooked the best meal I've ever eaten- baked potatoes and venison cooked in garlic- much Schnapps and beer was consumed during the preparation and eating of this meal- I've never been so drunk and stuffed by midday, and then gone mountain biking with no helmet- a memorable day. Thankyou Willi

Saved the Best 'til last: Christian and Bab's daughter, the beautiful and charming Laura (who has yet to master the art of applying lipstick :¬)

Countries I've visited

create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

I'm actually a bit disappointed by how little of the world I've seen- feels like more :¬)

Uncle Bob

This weekend I visited my dad's uncle in Somerset with my parents. Bob doesn't fall into the same category as the average aged relative. The most common look you'll receive from Bob is a conspiratorial cheeky smile as he drops his latest lewd or controversial comment- so a visit is no chore. It was his birthday, and he'd organised a party at his local pub The George (where he's a regular, and known as "Young Bob"). We had to go for a short "walk" at lunch time prior to the party (which "happened" to swing by The George for a quick jar), and then on to the main event (at The George) where we stayed until 10:30pm, enjoying a very convivial dinner with his family and friends. Over the last two days Bob's discussed Wi-fi, laptops, politics, religion, education, cranked up his £4,000 hi fi and made breakfast and lunch for my mum, dad and I. All of this after organising his own party, and drinking pretty much the same quantity of booze as me.
He's my role model- I want to be that animated and having that much fun when I'm 89 too :¬)

phone call

Sometimes I call up Ben at the studio, and his boss John says he's busy. Last time I called he was most amused to tell me that Ben was "inconvienienced" and couldn't come to the phone, as "he is in a body bag". Ben is a studio photographer, and in his career has variously had to shave a leg for a foot shoot and manicure his nails for a hand shoot. This time however he was to pose as a cadaiver- which just required being very still. Some people have boring office jobs- not Ben :¬)
(thanks for the lovely BBQ Sat night, and a great bike ride Sun- had a cracking weekend :¬)

The Devil Box

...is the name a climbing friend and former work colleague gives television. He's on a programme tonight about "most tight-fisted" people in the uk. He's certainly the only phd chemist that I know with a decent job that lives in a small van :¬)
Way to go Trampy!

programme listing

For those with a twisted sense of humour...

I saw this film years ago on TV and nearly wet myself watching it- I hope it makes you laugh as much :¬)
(it's in German, but honestly- it needs no translation)

My 1st video post?

Let's try this thing..... Climbing at Harrisons Rocks last month when down South for Mark J's 30th birthday. An absolute classic route- brilliant varied climbing packed into a single short pitch. I have soloed this route in my youth: when I was unaware of my mortality- these days I use a rope :¬)

Holiday in the South West

Late organisation didn't hamper what's been a great little holiday for me. 1st the weekend in Portland sport-climbing with the cracking Spanish crew: Ricard, David and his girlfriend Olga- great fun to be around. can't wait to get out with the gang again :¬)
My main objective was to lead Buoys will be Buoys- and I flashed it! So everything else was a bonus really.

Portland, Dorset, David leads Buoys will be Buoys 6b+

Flashing Buoys will be Buoys 6b+

No man is an Island 6c

Olga on I Dream of white Porsches

Portland, end of the days climbing, looking toward Cornwall

And on to Cornwall with Mark. Climbing was at a relaxed pace, with emphasis on quality rather than quantity. I reveled in the new area, being my 1st time in Cornwall, enjoying some of the best climbing I've ever done in the most magnificent positions- thanks to Mark & Rachel (congratulations on your engagement :¬), Bruce and family (especially to Beth ;¬), and of course to Ali and Phil- I look forward to climbing again with you guys soon.

Old Cornish Tin mine- typical of the area

Camping outside the Counthouse, Bosigran.

Rock pools at the base of Saskia HVS 5a

Belaying Bruce on Saskia, if Bruce falls off: we're both going swimming....

Mark ropes up to lead Madonna of the waves E2 5c

Belaying Mark on Madonna of the waves

Climbing over, it's time to chill out on the beach. And yes; this is still in the UK- about 5 mins walk from where we were climbing- I haven't just stuck a photo from Greece in or something. Though I wish the water temperature were just a little bit warmer....

Bruces daughter- the irrepressible Beth (Surf babe ;¬)

My other office

I've just started a gardening job for one our hoof trimming clients (yes that's my 3rd job now). She's a rather great boss, and I look forward to working for her in what is a rather spectacular location . The peace, quiet and solitude of the environment is the perfect compliment to my otherwise hectic and social life. Thank you L. for taking me on :¬)

http://www.trevorhall.com/

to be continued.......

Today Lee picked up his new mobile ozone hole generator. As an environmentalist I should detest this car. Looked at positively though, at least it's effect on the environment will do it's part to help you tan better. But I don't detest it, far from it, for fortunately I'm also a carfreak, and as such, more than 400bhp and a V8 engine that'll rev to 8500 rpm sounds like heaven. One down side though- it has to go 2000km at no more than 6000 rpm to run the engine in. What could be more frustrating than getting a really fast brand new car and having to drive it really slowly - that's like putting a plate full of delicious chips in front of a starving man and telling him he can only have two!!!
Anyway, here's some car porn:

The proud owner, demonstrating his car's versatility; not only is it as quick as a Ferrari,
but you can stick 4 peaople & piles of climbing gear in and still go fast!! :¬)

The front grill is reminiscent of the auto union race cars of the 1930s (badge will look familiar)- Porsche developed cars (just as the original 1994 Audi RS2 was ). In fact Lee's new car pays homage to the original RS2- being blue, and an estate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Union

http://www.audilinks.co.uk/info/rs2_1.asp

To be continued; after the run-in period is finished......

eight and a half thousand RPM.......mmmmmm