Happy New Year

A new year, a new start and a whirlwind of excitement to come...

Bringing in the new year with a trip to Lincoln cathedral, beautifully lit with bell ringing, crowds of people and tea lights floating into the sky where a full moon enlightened everything in sight. It was a truely beautiful evening in the crisp cold after an exciting day of Mountain Biking around Carsington Water. I was a little dubious about the idea of getting back on a bike, especially when it was freezing cold, icy though sunny but we went with the idea. I had done the low level routes with my parents when I on holiday years before (but this time it was with Ned Needham, who doesn't understand easy!).

Unfortunately I had been ill the previous two days which was ominous, with having only ate a tin of soup and some toast. My energy levels were low but we whizzed onto the trails and there were hills! I can say I only had to push on one of them from exhaustion, the other two where because it was icy and I had no purchase on the ground. On Ned peddled, thankfully waiting for me on the flat. A nice lunch stop by the dam where we were pestered by a family who had a puncture. Then an absolutely freezing sprint across the dam where I lost both hands and feet to the cold and we were back to the car. I made it but can't say my bottom agreed with it though....

Now my week had obviously started off badly due to being sick, though I managed to squeeze in a meal with some old school friends on the Monday night so once I was feeling better on the Wednesday I was back on the road and it was to stop at my friend Ned's house in Derby. Easing in gently to physical exertion I had a 'fresh' walk around Darley Park to be surprised by a random water buffalo called Oink sitting in a field, finished off with a wander around Derby old town for a taste of culture. It was bitter cold so we head home for tea, though the house was really no warmer! Ned doesn't seem to understand the word heating. The following day, the weather was fantastic so we had our ride around Carsington followed by an amazing dinner and trip to Lincoln, finally crawling into bed very late.

New Year's Day, another amazing day of weather that was dedicated to a trip to Harborough for some outdoor climbing. What a way to start the new year and though there was snow still on the ground, I was thrown into climbing on Limestone. Some amazing views looking over the Peak District, I got myself two leads ticked off for my logbook. If my log book continues in this way then I will be having all types of rock types logged soon enough. Ned tackled a particularly tricky looking climb that I seconded. That was when my hands completely froze, not to mention the non-existent feet on the end of my legs. Painful as it was, I got to the top and we bailed for the 'warmth' of home.

After I found my feet my again, I was shocked to find that the heating was actually working in the house which was blissful. A evening of food and films finished a day well. Very successful!

Now it can't all be fun fun so a morning of getting up to date with things and some work, we then spent the afternoon at Nottingham Climbing Centre where my comfort zone was well and truely stretched with the introduction of fighting over hangs plus a play with twin/double/half ropes (don't ask me to explain or work out the difference as it was a 2am conversation that was only half taken in when it was explained!). The bouldering was pretty good though and I tackled some interesting problems but the day took it's toll on me thankfully co-inciding with closing time at 5pm. Some sore hands and a bit of demoralisation, we skipped off back home for a couple of hours to then go to see the new Sherlock Holmes film at the cinema which was very good. Thoroughly recommended with the character of Holmes being portrayed in a very quirky manner. The night topped off with a monster game of Yahtzee and cheese on muffins!

So a very exciting week and now I prepare to head back to Buxton for work tomorrow. Back on duty so 7 days of early mornings and late evenings. Apparently the snow is still up there but the roads are ok which makes my travelling a little easier. Clearing drive ways for non-existent members of staff coming in makes in a bit demoralising but hey ho, work work work. Let's hope the weather stays sunny and fresh for some afternoon climbing outdoors. And with that I head to Buxton...