I hope you haven't been bribed/bullied into going to too many weddings and "Do"s these summery weekends! Instead how about coming to Northumberland.

A beautiful, quiet part of the country, good things have been said about it so lets go and see. I'll be in the pub beforehand if anyone wants a peek at maps and the tome of gnarly climbing in the area.

Although it's not all gnarly, there are plenty of Diffs and VDiffs for an easy day out. I reckon it's best to just excercise a bit of selective dyslexia when looking at grades. e.g. if the guidebook says it's VS it would go at HVS and S would go at HS etc. But, this is the realm of the proper hard. After all, they say folk in Newcastle don't need coats on a night out in January!

I'm planning to go exploring on my new bike and would be glad of 2 wheeled company if that's your bag? The roads are very quiet and I'm hoping to check out Lindisfarne and other bits on the coast.

Campsite is Highburn House (OS sheet 75, grid reference: 983282) Wooler, A697 off the A1. Recommended; great views, the showers are hot and the village pubs are only 500m away. There are footpaths from the campsite into Northumberland National Park, and it's right handy for Back Bowden and Kyloe.

Here are links to a review of the campsite and also the full details about it.

I've passed my driving test so I can offer lifts to any willing victims ... don't all ask at once! If there's any info I've forgotten get in touch and I'll try and find out.