out for a walk

me and my dog: poppy

sian and poppy at newborough beach

poppy traits: food rules, opportunist, snores like darth vader, love chasing oystercatchers, chatty and super scrambler dog!

out for a walk with: benny and gelert

Benny, who is often off with the fairies, he is one happy dog

my beauty gelert, the most loving, gentle dog I have ever known.

went climbing today... blood, sweat and no tears

 
Today I did these great climbs:

footstool left / S 4a
8m. The wide crack that passes to the left of the tall tooth is a bit of a struggle at the bottom and manages to feel rather committing at the top when passing the overhang. This gets VD in BMC guide, left as S (Rock fax) as there are log book ticks. © ROCKFAX

keep corner / S 4a *
12m. The groove left of the jutting buttress was popular in antiquity, hence the polish. Awkward but well-protected and a nice pitch. The last section is easier than it looks from below. This gets HVD in BMC guide, left as S (Rock fax) as there are log book ticks. © ROCKFAX

the fly walk / S 4a *
10m. The battered cracks in the right wall are worth doing to ledges (not bridging to the opposite wall of the groove is probably worth VS 4b), then finish out right. The groove direct is Main Corner - S 4a but sadly avoiding the cracks of The Flywalk is practically impossible. © ROCKFAX

the nithin / S 4a *
12m. The right-hand crack in the recess (awkward) to a ledge and the wide crack on the left. The arete direct is HS 4a. © ROCKFAX

studio / HS 4b **
12m. Climb the good crack then mantelshelf rightwards (hard but safe) or layback (easier but bolder) then follow the cracks only. Following the left-hand crack is harder. This get S 4a in BMC Kinder guide left as HS (Rockfax) due to log book ticks. © ROCKFAX

Castle naze

the fly walk and the nithin

Today I did my first: hard severe climb

The studio /  castle naze / HS 4b

"Climb the good crack then mantelshelf rightwards (hard but safe) or layback (easier but bolder) then follow the cracks only. Following the left-hand crack is harder."

- Western Grit

I went for a recce today

I went around the chew valley looking for some nice quiet climbing routes, rob rocks, dovestones edge - however it was far too windy to do anything, boo hisss - so headed to castle naze and did a nice S 4a route called the niche, best climb I've done so far.

what i am listening to: mazzy star

zo zo and bex my lovely best chums introduced me to mazzy star, listen to one of my favorite songs here
and here

enjoy! x 

artist: freya horsley

I recently discovered a great artist called freya horsley, she had an exhibition at the brewery arts centre in kendal and I instantly loved her work. Check out her site: http://www.freyahorsley.co.uk/


















I have my eye on this picture called the 'Pheriche Valley'

i am currently reading......

high infatuation: a climber’s guide to love and gravity by steph davis. Mrs B treated me to this book and I love it! (thank you mrs B). I feel greatly inspired by steph by her drive and ambition and how she stuck to what she loved (even though money was tight at times) and enjoyed rather than following the tiresome rat race. Again Steph shows a great example how climbing naturally progresses to mountaineering. Check out this amazing clip of her climbing the crack house: http://highinfatuation.com/crack-house.html/

mrs b

This is a little post dedicated to my wonderful Mrs B. We have known each other,... well since she was born and we are incredibly close, like sisters (but dont have the silly arguments). She means the world to me, she understands what makes me tick and she lets me be me, she is my rock and I am so honored to have her in my life. She is one beautiful incredible little lady and I am so super proud of her.

i have just finished reading..... higher than the eagle soars

I went to a fantastic talk by stephen venables at the kendal brewery arts centre. It was a great insight behind the renowned mountaineer, he touched upon his amazing life as a mountaineer, he came across as a lovely, well rounded chap. I felt greatly inspired and i was lucky enough to get a signed book, higher than the eagle soars. I have just finished reading it today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it so interesting to understand his progression and his remarkable journey as a mountaineer. I somehow got great comfort from his book, I suppose reminding me of my childhood and my up bringing. I have read many books about the summit bid to everest, however I felt like I was there with him, understanding the sheer determination and exhaustion... totally amazing and inspiring.

special birthday surprise/ london

my two amazing girlfriends treated me to a very special and fabulous evening. They surprised me with seeing the new antony gormleys new live artwork called the one and other and then we headed to the ivy for a very special evening. I am certainly one very luck lady to have these girlies in my life.

love you lots and thank you for the best night ever xx