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Saturday, 12 September 2015

The Sicilians Part Two

 Friday 11th September



Lazy morning then a drive into Castellemare del Golfo for lunch and provisions
Full team now in place
BBQ up and running


Saturday 12 
Saturday morning by the pool then down to the local beach for swims and lunch at the Tor Re. 
Charcuterie and Pasta supper.  Bella



Sundown shots
Sun rises on Labour's Corbyn dawn




Sunday lunch out at Badia
Casual!

A place in the country everyone's ideal

Continues at
Cooking Up

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Deluxe and Delightful

Thursday 10th
Travel to Scopello

Arrive with Livia to the villa about 2pm
It's huge!





What a spot







Private gardens
A fabulous setting
Villa far right
(click pic for best result)




View to cove from by garden gate


Five minute walk along the quiet road to the steps for the local beach

LIDO a GO GO!
Neighbours?
Continues at

Sciacca Sicilie.

6 September

Come fly with us. Gatwick to Catania then three hours west to Sciacca an old port and walled town above.

Sciacca (lower) and Scopello highlighted in red




Good digs in apartment Casa Zagale.

Ready to sally forth on a Passagiata






Evening in the old town.


Vikki says come hither for a fine dining experience down an alley somewhere!











Monday mooch around the old harbour and a trip to local beach

More come hither stuff going on

Pretty windy that day


Tuesday 8th Sep
At Eracula Minoa. Historic ruins. (Not shown). 
Next stop beach


First of many beach shack lunches

Vongole-ville


Getting the hang of the Lido Shuffle







Back at Sciacca
Great local food in pizzeria at top of step

Rained off for a day on Wednesday but turned out grand. Boxed Pizzas warmed up for lunch
Then
Sicilian Wedding at the Basilica


This guy wasn't there....

But he could've been!


These folks must have got married some other day

Monday Friday Tuesday Saturday












Thursday morning visit to the Castello Incantato
Then cross country to Scopello and stage two of the big birthday trip

The Castello Incantato

Castellmare del Golfo.
At the meet up spot






Spiagga Guidaloca for late lunch


Living the lido local


Continues at
Deluxe and Delightful

Thursday, 3 September 2015

Thirlmere Multicrag

Wednesday September 2nd



NB back in the loop - last time out early August at Eastby.  Once again weather prospects not great as we headed hopefully westwards.  Stopped off at Bramcrag Quarry on route to Swirl Crag - the new guide has a a big spread on this crag - which is almost all bolted.  A team was busy trundling rocks off the lower tier, the upper tier felt quite intimidating with spooky rock and a rather large drop above the main section.  A chat with one of the chaps helpfully directed us to the left hand end where the routes were shorter and more amenable.

A quick confab and we were ready to flirt with the devil.
 




AT clips first ever bolt and enters the dark side on the suitably named
"Twilight" (F5)

Unorthodox double roping techiques

The next route (Hound Dog F6a) followed the rh groove

This sport stuff offers fine positions

It's all done in a jiffy.... Twin carabiners at the top just like at the wall!

Next stop Swirl Crag about five miles down the road and a 30 minute hike with some fern thrashing thrown in.

Weather's holding up....





NB on Midge Wall, bold start, the crux above has good gear



Working out the moves



Phew!


Shortly after the sun disappeared for the rest of the day, occasional light showers arrived but the heavy stuff was passing by (a team arrived from Castle Rock - reported a downpour there whilst we were at Bramcrag).


AT has an attack of The Runs after wandering up the start of the HVS 5a next door.  Felt soft for 4c but some confidence needed.

It's 5.15 and the weather's gone to RS.  Time for the PUB!
Midge Wall (L) 
and The Runs



Tuesday, 1 September 2015

New Loop

Sunday 30 August
and
Tuesday 1 September

New cycle route to Little Newsham, Whorlton, Caldwell Eppleby and Pudding Hill

Sunday went a bit wrong and returned via Ovington
Tuesday parked up for lunch in Whorlton, two course plus ice cream or coffee just a fiver each at the Fernaville's Rest 


By Puddling Hill
Winston from the South
New house dominates the line

About 14.5 miles
Most of it after lunch


Saturday, 29 August 2015

Ascensus Interruptus

Friday August 28th
Another changeable day, best hope once again down in Gods Own Derbyshire, pretty blowy as usual so headed for this year's GO-TO crag -
Lawrencefield.
In an an effort to avoid A61 roadworks and bank holiday hordes plotted a new route down via Stocksbridge, and heading out past various reservoirs to Bamford and Hathersage, missing out Sheffield completely.  This was a winner, especially on way back as ignored the stupid detours demanded by the SATNAV on the drive down.  Will use this route as the default route to all PEAK venues from now on.

Climbing interrupted twice by sudden downpours moving rapidly on the brisk Sou-Westerlies, but enough sun and wind for rapid return to optimal conditions, lost about 90 minutes (a couple of routes), but still packed a lot into the day with BP in good fettle following recent battle with a few billion viruses.


BP set off in bright sunshine up Pulpit Groove, but by the time P1 was was in the bag the heavens opened and AT followed in very wet conditions.  Abandoned crag and headed back to the car for lunch.  
Another brief squall was seen off then returned to the crag - sun-dried!

Take 2

AT gets into a fine position to tackle the tricky groove on Three Tree Climb


The high flake unlocks the way in


Another shower comes and goes

Take 3
BP restarts with a pleasant lead up Snail Crack

Now the crag is back into good condition - time to push the boat out on Once Pegged Wall


The crack swallows gear but the next moves are steep and after another sustained gibber AT loses the battle of nerves and down climbs from here


BUGGER!!

Plan B swings into action

BP floats serenely up the bold Gingerbread

AT follows to get the gear then lowers back down to wait for a rope from BP to retrieve the gear seen festooning the wall on the left

Topped out on the TR - should have ignored all that clucking noise first time round and GOT UP THERE LARDY




BP tidies up

Still plenty to come back for.

The obvious crack on the left is on the list





Homeward sounds


Normal route


Optional route