Present: R.Davies, A. Metelko, F. Roy, T. Major, M. Wiltshire

Following a precisely orchestrated dawn raid the team assembled at Subliminal with the principal aim of tackling some of the enemies perceived weaknesses, a Swanage easy route! After a short briefing the team was deployed into a pincer formation with privates Roy and Wiltshire, under the guidance (or perhaps mis-guidance) of captain Metelko, attacking an un-named VS; whilst corporal Major and Field Marshal Davies took on the slightly more tricky target of Freda VS 5a, which following initial skirmishes became a hard fought Grandma's groove (E2 5b). Having taken only minor casualties the squadron regrouped to take on the next target, Cattle Troughs.

The manoeuvre to Cattle Troughs was made without opposition so the squadron was able to take on a series of progressively more challenging targets, culminating in the capture of Bunneys wall VS 5a, Peacemaker HVS 5a, Hangover VS 5a, and Old Lags Corner VS 4c without taking any casualties. Unfortunately shortly after this private Roy was seen fighting with Isis VS 4c, reinforcements were called to the scene, but arrived too late, only to see private Roy sustain catastrophic injuries and have to be withdrawn from action. Having sustained this loss the team pulled back to a late base camp at the Ship Inn, Langton Matravers - generous rations consumed by all.

After some much needed rest the squadron rose at dawn (well actually about 9am), and bathed in early morning sunshine struck direct at the capital, Boulder Ruckle. Strikes were made on Finale Groove HVS 4c, Jo HVS 4c,5a and Thunderball HVS 5a,5a although the squadron did sustain a casualty of Captain Metelko on Directors Groove HVS 5a, 4c. With an 80% hit rate on its sorties the squadron returned to base via a fish and chip shop - troops were required to provide their own rations at this late juncture!

So as promised, no tanks got stuck in any bank holiday traffic, crags were crowd free and the rock was bathed in glorious sunshine - so need any more reasons to be on the next southern sea cliffs meet?

I may yet regret offering to lead a meet this particular weekend, as I'm expecting to get back into the country around mid afternoon on the Friday! Sometimes teaching has its good points!

So anyway, to the meet. The plan is to make the long journey to the south coast, where as anybody who was at Dave Turnbull's slide show will tell you it's always sunny! So, a good bit of sun rock should be on the cards.

The climbing, well there is a lot of interesting climbing to be had in most of the grades, although you'll probably enjoy it most if you can second around about VS. At present I plan to visit the Priestway campsite in Swanage itself, which offers camping facilities, and for those who like a little extra comfort also offer static caravans for hire for the weekend (usually about £6pppn between 4 people).

As I will be away between the 22nd and 28th March I do need people to let me know if they plan on attending by the Black Memorial lecture? any messages etc. after this will not get to me before the meet.