Millstone Grit

Attendees, vaguely in order of appearance - Christine Beeston, Manda Molloy, Dave Bone, Duncan Lee, Sabina Coselech, Mark & Cathy & Emma Gledhill, Roger Dyke, Helen & Steve & Daniel & Lowri Swygart, Neville & Sheena McHendrie, Shane & Jacky Storbeck, Roger & Bridget and Carys Mappleson, Andrew Croughton, Colin & Rosin Madison, Lee Wood, Chris & Rob Allen, Jim & Judith Symon.

Of which, prototypes - Emma, Daniel, Lowri, Carys & Rosin.

 

From the solar point of view, quit remarkable. Empirical tests indicate that the sun hits the Embankment slabs at around Eleven o'clock, at his time of year. Bagged a nice shady lounging zone. It was a nice climbing meet, so there was some climbing. In general the routes followed suggestions from various guide books. I have begun to notice that my own guide books are becoming more like '100 best Sandbags for your mates to lead'. Some are even the right colour, e.g. "The Yellow Bumper Book of Froggatt Sandbags" circa 1834, where most of the Vdiffs are at least E1. Whether this explains any of the following, I'll leave to your imagination.

Confessions - Duncan said he took a leaf out of Christopher's book of pauses and paused for some time on Time for Tea, teetering he said while savouring the blank looking bits. Lee said he failed on an E3, but I reckon he was just trying to make the meet leader take pity on him.

Manda said she had given up looking for challenging routes but still followed Dave Bone up the back wall of Embankment 1. (foot note: has since worn out finger tips bouldering)

Roger D and Neville both gleefully confessed to laughing out loud at Sheena, a.k.a. the Thug, while she was on a slabby E1. No jugs, she said later.

Christine and Cathy said they hadn't done anything difficult. Secret training me thinks.

Sabina was observed reaching holds that were physically out of her reach. Some dark magic there. She would confess to nothing but I suspect her glasses bring things closer.

Colin, in between romping up routes, was seen building a dry stone house. Possibly training for siege camps on Italian peaks.

Roger and Bridget actually climbed together. A milestone in the upbringing of Carys.

And on the Emma side, Mark got back in the swing of things on Great Slab. Throwing his cares and worries to the four winds. Luckily there was someone nearby to hand them back.

Snot hurling champion Jacky, heavy cold from Durban, was pipped at the post by a double barreled load from the up and coming Carys (also well known plum hurling champion).

Andrew wins the photo guru contest with four cameras on site. Neville will have to watch out for the 'up the trouser leg' shot Andrew got while bridging high on Great Portland Street.

Wayward team Chris and Rob confessed to being at Ramshaw rocks for some time before eventually turning up at Millstone.

Slightly more wayward team Jim & Judith turned back with car problems but still got out locally.

Green traveler awards go to Shane, Jacky, Colin & Rosin for using the railway for transport.

The meet leader failed to be of suitable crèche minder material, making Carys cry. Duncan, however, excelled maintaining a sustained tearless baby grip. Rumoured to have whispered into the babe's ear - "One squeak and I'll drop kick you".

So there you have it. Lots of climbing and stuff. A spiffing day out. Ta.

Dave Dillon