Back in "civilisation"

Haven't updated the blog much. I guess that was pretty obvious. Two things happened. First, while we were still at Todra, we came upon a paradise made up of climbing and brilliant food. It became routine, we would wake up, eat, climb, eat, climb, get back to the hotel, eat, and sleep. Repeat. So it came to be that Ellie and I got used to it and it seemed no longer remarkable. I wish it could've only stayed that way!!! But it had to end, so we went to Marrakech for a couple of days. OH THE HUMANITY!!!! It was good preparation for London, SO MANY PEOPLE! It was a crazy hub of absolute craziness, so much fun but a bit too city-like for our taste.

I have another apology to make. I didn't lead a 7b+. It was a 7a+. My bad... I will correct the previous post as soon as I can. What I CAN say is that I climbed another two 7a+'s while we were there, and top-roped a 7b. Still damn proud. Could NOT have led that just then though.

Getting back to London is strange. I am lucky enough to have got my job back at Westway, which I love. Tried climbing there and instantly got splatted down on my face. The holds have no edges!!!!! You can't feel them. Very strange. It took me a few sessions before I could begin to feel confident, and then try and see what actually changed in my climbing. A lot did.

Five months ago, on the first round of the Superleague bouldering comp, I somehow managed to dislocate a rib, simply by pushing in an awkward position. I managed to climb another two problems and snatch first place on points that day, but that was the end for a month. Since then, because at first I was careful about my movement and apprehensive of further damage, my climbing became very static, few dynamic moves, no jumping, swinging, all that fun stuff. I didn't let my arms lock off and mantles became dreaded horriblenesses.

Just as I was getting to work on fixing these shortcomings, I got broken again. This time, it was a treasonous wine-glass that decided to stab me in the arm. I could look inside and see my tendons. SCAAAAAARY!!! So until the middle of March, I'm off climbing. I'm about to go crazy. I WILL go crazy once I can climb again.

So, until further notice, my blogging will include a lot less of my own climbing and a lot more of Ellie's. We shall see each other soon!