One HOT Summer!

Ok here goes; a brief report of a Euro trip- over 3000 miles driving, 7 stops, pastries galore and bit of alcohol thrown in; some snow, some rain, a lot of sun and even a bit of climbing!

After 20 hours driving Ned, Gangle and myself arrive at Susten Pass to snow!! Not such a good start, Ned falls down a hole resulting in snow up to his nipples. After a bimble around we sack it to Chironico for the night, blue skiies greet us and after a huge pizza we have a look around. Next morning equals rain!

Off to Magic!! After a couple of days of rain the sun comes out and never goes away. Temps are perfect for sun bathing and Ned gets burnt (regularly)! He also does some good sending as does Tom. For me this trip was about having fun and trying to get back into it after my shoulder. Gladly I didnt really feel my shoulder at all until a few days from the end, where I slightly tweaked it!

It was also a trip of nearlies for me; if the weather had been slightly cooler I would have definately come away with a few more ticks but they are being saved for colder times. I did however climb 'High Spirit' which was awesome, I came so close last year and didnt even try it this year until the last few days. Tom got interested and found some beta that cut the foot movements from 8 to 4, I wasted a rest day to see if I could do it this way and sure enough it worked. I woke up early the next morning for slightly cooler temps and 2nd go it was done!

We then headed to check out Fionnay, a place which seems to have steered clear of the crowds since Graham was there in 2006. I did a few things there but again should of done more, I got a really bad split which meant I couldnt finish off some climbs, but I will be back. Its a beautiful place and the main cave stays cool even in the baking sun. There are also some very nice blocs in the woods and meadow! I am sure there is plenty of potential in the surrounding area to!

A short stop over in Annecy to see my Dad and swim in the lake and we were off to Montauban for Ned to compete in the World Cup! The boy did good finishing in 23rd, narrowly missing the semi's. Audrey climbed really well and made the semi's. I had never been to a World Cup before and I am gutted that I didnt get the chance to do any this year! It was an amazing experience, and I am so psyched now to train hard and maybe one day get on a podium. The party after was a good laugh, although the car journey the next day wasn't!!

We finished the trip with a few days in Font staying at Neils place. His gite is so nice and the board is quality too, definately a thumbs up from us! I slightly hurt my shoulder and so didnt climb so much. Ned and Tom both did 'Fata Morgana' and Tom dispatched 'Opium'! Effort boys!

As for now; BBC's on Sunday, house moving and work next friday! Then I am starting training again; Campusing, fingerboarding and a bit of fitness. My goals are to climb Vecchia Leone this winter, plus a V12 or higher on lime, grit and sand stone. I want to get back to Wales in August to and up to the County!