The Case For A Climbing Wall In a Redeveloped Sands Centre
Recently it came to our attention that the new management of the Sands Centre here in Carlisle, were about to push through changes that would see the Sands’ current climbing wall demolished with no plans to replace it in the new facility. For the City’s growing climbing community it represents a real loss. Pete Gunn, has organised a petition through Change.Org to try and get a rethink on this short sighted decision (IMHO). It’s the only decent sized leading wall in North Cumbria and for those living in the Borders. Kendal’s massive wall is 50 miles away and it’s 60 miles to Newcastle the nearest alternative large lead wall. Under Pete and Davina’s stewardship, it’s open to the public 7 days a week and these two...
A Short Winter Climb to Revive Jaded Spirits
After a night out in Penrith and with winter still having its icy grip on the Lake District; what better way to take advantage of a low pressure day than to grab a quick trip up one of the classic little ice climbs around Thirlmere. I couldn’t track down anyone to come out to play, so it had to be something fairly easy going and quick to access. This was clearly the excuse I needed to have a look at Launchy Ghyll. This is one of those under rated mini classics that I’ve been meaning to get round to for years, but had always been tempted by higher places. Launchy Ghyll is rated grade III but is one of those amenable climbs that lulls you into thinking it will be perfectly OK for a quick morning solo. As Launchy is an SSSI (Site of Special...
Santiago de Compostela- The End of Heather’s Camino
After 780km of walking, Heather has arrived at journey’s end. The final day of the Camino was sadly let down by the weather. After all the heat and the dust, just when you’d like a bright and colourful day; what does it do? Tries to do an English Summer’s day! Now that’s no way to treat a lady! Santiago and this is the last – probably! Well, I suppose you want me to write that there were bells, trumpets, full orchestra, banners, flags, dancing when I arrived in Santiago, don´t you! Let us first go the night which was OK apart from an Italian man a) snoring b) leaving his foot smell to waft around and c) already having got my back up by tending to the weedy female he was with who kept meeowing, a bit like a baby. That is when she...
Belly Ache and Respect on the Camino
It’s hard to believe that the summer has passed by almost and Heather is actually on the last few laps of the walk. I’m a couple of days late posting this so I’m hoping that the ominous silence in the email department isn’t the gutaches catching up with her. Pride Cometh Before a Fall Part Three Hi Everybody, I´ve fixed my walking sandals with superglue so they should be good for a few hundred more kms. Trainers are still going strong even with the bottoms not quite all there in one piece, so to speak. I had a wonderful moment today – as I said, The Camino is not now what it was as it´s now full of people having joined for the last 100 km. I probably forgot to say as well that you have a credential which allows you to stay at the...
Galicia, And only 130km to Go on Heather’s Camino
Was working my fingers to the bone yesterday, but I finally managed to break away for a few photos and a bit of bouldering at Head End Quarry, as I build up an archive of climbing ropework video clips. It’s harder to get good vid of that than I imagined. Not really a one man show! Meanwhile Heather is definitely seeing the hills again and I think Galicia has rung her bells good and proper! Beautiful, Beautiful Galicia. Hola Todos, I realise I haven´t got anything funny to write about! Sorry! Yesterday I passed over into the last province, Galicia. Here there is a different language (brilliant, just when I´m getting to grips with Spanish) and beautiful mountains, completely different to any in Britain as they all seem to have vegetation. I have taken so many...
Albergues and not Quite Arguments on the Camino de Santiago
Finally got a sunny day on the rock yesterday (Sunday). Should have been Wasdale and the joys of Scafell Crag, but never mind, it was sunny and the rock was dry. Not quite as dry and sunny as northern Spain as Heather prepares to slip over the top of some hilly bits into Galicia. It would seem her patience is being tested again! Albergues and “not quite arguments” aren’t really what you’d expect on the trek for spiritual peace that presumably motivated St James. Impatience – have I learned ANYTHING?? ´Why are you sleeping on the floor with the Italian scout troup, Heather´ Well, it´s like this…… Cherryll would understand – these things happen to her as well! Long story, let´s start at my arrival in Ponferrada...