Bit of a mixed bag weather-wise this weekend with everything from hailstones to full-on summer heat. Almost everyone here managed to get something done though.
I was in Newcastle with Abby this weekend and a cold, blustery day on saturday saw us heading to Climb Newcastle to test myself against the problems set for their recent ASBO ’10 competition. There were some real crackers in there including some puzzling technical challenges using the full range of walls and features. Get down and try them!
Waking up early on Sunday to the sound of rain I was expecting the day to be a washout but by 10 the cloud was breaking up and conditions were great. We took the opportunity to dash north to Bowden Doors for a fabulous afternoon’s bouldering. By the time we got to the crag it felt like mid-summer and I was wishing I’d worn shorts. Particular highlights were The Lightbulb (ft6a) and the superb highball of Childs Play (ft6b), I took a long fall from the top of the latter after I got a bit scared and skidded off a sandy foothold but jumped back on and after a bit of a gibber ticked the problem. Feeling a bit bruised, battered and very, very warm we sloped off back to the car and headed down to Bamburgh for ice cream on the beach.
Stu took the kids out for an introduction to orienteering on the junior course which the Airienteers Club had laid out at Golden Acre Park on saturday. After some navigation practice and a few tricky moments explaining that not every checkpoint is on a given course they had a great time. The event proved really popular with tons of families trying out orienteering for the first time.
Tim ended up at Anglezarke on Saturday and ticked some of the classic routes on the Golden Tower including the Golden Tower (E2) itself, Fools Gold (HVS) and Tangerine Dream (E3). Meanwhile Fran was out at the mighty Shipley Glen ticking some of the more esoteric gems in the wilds beyond Glen Arete.
James got out for a ride on Sunday heading from Halifax to Gargrave via a slightly exploratory route round east lancashire (he got lost) whilst John was on organisational duties at the highly successful Leeds Bradford Triathlon Club Aquathon. This is a great way for kids to get involved in multi-sport events and proved hugely popular.
Hope you all managed to make the most of your weekends, anyone got any tales to share?