Rocking Out

 Monday April 3rd 2023

This said it all, and with a SSE breeze in the forecast, time to get the 2023 Rocky Horror Show out on the road.  Never much doubt about the optimum venue for a first time outing, with its peerless rock, inviting lines, and easy access, it's got to be;

Castle Rock of Triermain

AT all set to follow CB up the first route on the regular circuit.

The dazzling sun and azure sky disguise a perishing wind, but motivation remained high.

CB takes the direct finish on Lilith (HS)

Then AT opened this year's account with a steady lead up the corner in the shadow 

(Slab Climb HS4a)

On belay climb when ready!

Local team arrives.

Climber approaching the same point as CB above.

Then moves left to place gear 

 Before finishing up the left hand open scoop

Watched closely by partner on belay.

All very tidy.

RAF F-35 Lightnings gave us a wave

(not)

New bridge and gate

The old one was in a bad way

H&F rammed headed home via diversions past big stooshie on A66.

Beers at Briar!

Fountains Trip

 Sunday April 2nd

Spur of the moment ride out to make the most of surprising weather, only 45 minutes to the historic Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Park.  

Plenty of people, families, kids, all breeds of dog!  10,000 step stroll and a pleasant lunch by the water.

Fountains Hall

Grand Bec Decennial

 January 28th - Feb 5th

THOMSKI  2023

Another year, another ski week for our intrepid gang.  The trip to Bozel runs into its 13th year in a row, with the last 10 all being based at the Chalet Grand Bec.  This super accommodation remains available only to a select clientele that thankfully still includes Thomski.  So the trip follows a now pretty frictionless flow down the autoroutes through France to to the GLORIOUS ALPS!

Outwards

Depart Sutton 07.30

Arrive Tunnel terminal 09.10

Called 09.45, depart 10.25

Arrive Dijon Best Western Quetigny 18.15

Depart 09.30, Arrive Bozel 15.15

Dijon nights

Le Tire Bouchon - excellent eats out

A trip down Happy Valley - bound to finish up here!

Great weather and snow conditions every day!

Fast grippy hard pack pistes, afterburners on.

SL waiting for everyone to catch up!

Note cloud inversion (left upper)

Up there the air is rarefied!

The Geisha return run is a winner 

(a.k.a Happy Valley)

Eats in as ever at Grand Bec

Sunday Meat Balls (AJ)

Monday Fish Pie (RL)

Tuesday Chicken Bake (MT) (featuring focaccia)

It's a Drive in Wednesday 

Pralognan

AJ Birthday Action Wednesday Feb 1st

At the top of the Gentianes lift

In the heart of the Vanoise

Wednesday at

Pachu 2000 refreshments

Same day

Lunch at Fontanettes

A top spot

Omelette DIY back at the GB

Chaos

Thursday

Atmos

Pherics 

View from Roc Blanchets

This years GO-TO balcony.

Happy Valley return run

MT runs it out

Finishes inevitably at Les Borselieres

Bozel scene

Video - finish of Gentianes runs

Pra Lognan

The Ancoli lift serves a wide area of enjoyable terrain.

Some clips below.

Runs finish at the terrace of Pachu 2000, this time with lunchtime refreshments 

The creature from down below

Eats (continued)

Thursday - stroganoff (RL)

Friday is pizza night! (AT)

Plenty more to come!

Saturday Chilli CC (RL)

Pralognan, Saturday

MT and CJ head round the corner

Leading down into the Gentianes sector

More Gentianes action

Another year's ski tr ip  goes by in a flash

What a week!

Actuals

Monday - all out at La Plagne lunch at Borseliers

Tuesday  - all out at la Plagne lunch at Chalet Des Dolines

Wednesday - all out at Pralognan lunch at Fontanettes

Thursday - AT, MT, CJ out at La Plagne lunch at Roc de Blanchet

Friday - AT, CJ, RL,, AJ, SL out at Pralognan eat at le Pachu

Saturday - AT, MT, CJ out at Pralognan eat at La Pachu

Sunday, rolling at 07.00

Arrive terminal 17.20

Arrive Sutton 19.30 

Curry 20.00

Christmas Festive Frolics

 

December 22nd 2022 

to

 Jan 1st 2023

All set for arrivals

Pete and Vikki travel 22/12 via Newark rendezvous

Fabulous curry special all ready on arrival

Friday M & V to Headlam for pool leisure and pamper session

Pizzas ready to replace all lost calories

Xmas Eve Bowie-opoly

Finished off Xmas day.  Big win for Vikki !  (birthday luck!)

25th December

Happy Birthday Vikki!

Merino Xmas Andy!

Gifts Galore

Merino all over!

Kitchen Crew in action

All set for some serious Christmas Dinner

Followed more seasonal fayre

And of course the Birthday Special!

Might be room for some on Boxing Day

Festive Flamenco......

Live at Briar Walk

Early Boxing Day Dazzle

A bracing walk out in the Tees Valley

Wednesday trip for Lunch up in Whitley Bay

More exchange of assorted goodies!

Except no pictures taken  😕

New Year's day river walk

Banks burst

All set for 2023!