Dark Clouds Gathering

Well... it has been an utterly miserable last few weeks with one period of horrific weather after another and little chance to get out and enjoy the fruits of the training labour!

I've been mostly spending my time devising new 4 move problems on steep planks of plywood and in the murky depths of the crypt, some 15+ move monstrosities have been created in order to stem the boredom.

Last weekend brought some light relief with a daytrip out to some chossy Peak Lime and watching Owen get agonisingly close on his project there. I wasn't really feeling the vibe or awake for that matter and proceeded to eat a carrier bag worth of food, washed down with a can of some grim chocolate "Power Up" drink from Trafford Centre services.

Just as we were all fading, a strong barrel shaped team appeared through the undergrowth! Crushers Sugden and Gibson had been out on the lash but were clearly keen to show the keen youths how it was done. Tom almost flashed the crag but his fingers of steel were denied by some fine beta hustling by madams! Gibson was momentarily spotted putting on his boots but the moment passed in a flash and he was soon atop of a rock with rolly in hand, with the black down jacket doing nothing to mask his penguin like physique!

The evening do at Sheffield's darling socialite was a grand occasion with great BBQ food and plenty of beer. I was enraptured by an amusing conversation between Rhyn and Owen about the Bob Graham round of 43 peaks in 24 hours. Owen reckons he will give it a go, so Rhyn has offered somewhere to stay as well as a pacer..this I cannot wait to see!

Back at the wall of Awfulness things haven't been going to (The Guru's) plan with me managing to crush my hand by climbing (with added weight) in the crypt. The fact that the swelling was triggered when lead belaying for an ungrateful urchin, only compounded my misery. Hot and cold treatments and a visit to the Liverpool A&E have left me none the wiser apart from being told I should rest for 10 days minimum and then see if it still hurts. The temptation to train my opposite arm into a mutant limb of embarassing power, has a certain appeal when the olympics coverage will be coming to an end this weekend!

I will possibly post a photo montage of swollen finger shots over the next 10 days and jazz it up a bit with flames and lightning...etc