On the way home from St Andrews for Easter, Laura and I stopped off in the peaks to see Rowan for a spot of climbing.
Laura climbing the first of many great 3* VDs
Stanage was the crag we had our eyes on so early Saturday morning we headed up there for a great days climbing. We warmed up on some great routes, generally enjoying the amazing gritstone rock. The weather was great in the morning but slowly deteriorated.
Jonny leading the awesome HS 4a*** "Robin Hood's Right-hand Buttress direct"
Eventually we had all be buffeted enough so decided to head back to the cosy fire. We had a great dinner and did a jigsaw into the early hours.
Laura seconding Rowan on D** "Left twin Chimney"
As the clocks went back we had a nice lie on Sunday followed by porridge, eventually getting to Stanage at about 1pm. The weather was much nicer so we had a great day chilling in the sun and climbing. The most enjoyable climb of the day was the VS 4b Hell Crack with a really pumpy/ hand jammy start and a great finish.
Jonny leading the pumpy VS 4B*** "Hell Crack"
Rowan Cruising up behind Jonny on the great climb
Time was ticking on so we decided to call it a day so we could drop Rowan back at the house and drive down South to home. It felt great to be at Stanage again and can't wait for the next trip soon.
Laura nearing the top of the last climb of the weekend VD*** "Heaven Crack"
Cheers Rowan for letting us stay and giving us great food and Laura for her great co-pilot skills.
So early Sunday morning, Sean, Calum, Grant and myself headed over to the west coast for some scary surfing. Half way over I realised that I had forgotten my kit, so on arrival I had to beg borow and steal; from the kind kayak comunity to get a full set of kit.
We hopped on as soon as possible as the main wave was forming nicely. The initial surfs were pretty scary with big waves, whirlpools and lots of "funny water" to deal with after washing of the wave.
It was great to watch all the locals ripping it up with all 3 waves working well. Slowly we got the hang of the waves and all ended with getting a few good runs.
Quickly the tide came back in and within minutes the waves washed out signalling the end of the surfing and the end of a great day.
Cheers Calum, Sean and Grant for a great day and all the kind kayakers that had kit to lend to me. (video to come)
On Saturday Sarah organised the annual Sense Scotland charity fundraiser. This has gone from strength to strength in recient years and raised more money for the great charity every year.
Paul Brear practising break outs below the Lyn of Tummel
The day started very abruptly, being dragged in my hungover state into the car and zooming of to Loch Faskally for some open boating instruction from the great guys from Beyond Adventure.
Rafted up with the Sense Scotland kids and carers
We then headed down the loch to the other end and met the guys from two branches of the Sense Scotland care homes.
Jonny and Calum socking up the sun
We built rafts and canoed about for the rest of the afternoon with the kids that had disabilities ranging from blindness to sever cerebral palsy and autism. The kids got a lot out of it, singing, paddling and listening to the wildlife.
The team listening to the birds and generally enjoying being in the boats
The day was very satisfying and it felt great to paddle with the people that we were raising the money for.
Rafted up paddling around the loch
Thanks to all that had a hand in the organisation for a really rewarding day. Donations to the Sense Scotland can be made here.
So last week was election week in St Andews. I was helping run Andrew Hall's campaign team.
We spent many nights plotting and planning the campaign. We spent most days visiting clubs, chating to captains, writing speeches, erecting banners and filming videos.
During the week we leap frogged from the Library to the sports hall, made human pyramids then finally campaigned on a biblical scale on election day, Friday.
We had a huge number of people dcampaigning on the day at the 3 polling station. All dressed in green, handing out stickers, flyers, chatting to the voters and again leap frogging round town.
We then all met up at Uni Hall for drinks and hit the union at 11. The results came in slowly with my friends John H, Jimmy B and James M gaining the positions they ran for.
Eventually the AU pres results came out, WE HAD WON! Much drinking insued, then a bop followed by after party at Rollos.
Well done Andrew and the rest of the team for an amazing week and result!
NSR - the worlds greatest and biggest Freestyle competition.
After the long old drive down to Nottingham we met up with Edinburugh and hit the party, I had a bit of catching up to do so after a few Gyn shots I was ready to hit the dance floor.
Saturday morning hosted the epic that is the "X-treem" slalom where 900 students complete the course demonstrating their, old/new school prowesk under the watchfull eyes of the juges.
Jonny in the looping pool
Depending on how old/ new school you seemed you were put into catagories for the heats. We had a mixed bag resulting in our very own Jamie Mashel in the Beginer final!
Sandra going big in the women's final
James and myself then entered the topo duo competition but after much pop out action we didn't quite secure our self a place in the final.
James and Jonny doing what they do best
Saturday night was what we all came for and after some significant boozing in the tent/ on the water, we hit the party. Many free shots and what ever else the legendary river legacy crew threw at us the night drew a blank.........
Joe pre-gaming the Saturday night party.
Apparently it was good so on Sunday, lots of recovering was done. We paddled most of the time, watched the finals and had a generally great day.
Dave Burne super-manning his way to Old School victor
Cheers Pattrick for organising it and Rob for the awesome pics.
We warmed up on the V Diff Holy Tree Grove both agreeing it was great to be back climbing. CJ then climbed two great severes: Cutical Crack and Kestral Crack. I then was keen to get a bit scared so then climbed the pushy route VS Springboard.
Cheers CJ for driving and I look forward to a bit more climbing soon
On the last weekend in February, 15 intrepid slalomers headed down to HPP for the annual BUCS Slalom competition.
Jonny half way down his C1 run
After an excelent 4 hours sleep, the racing began on Saturday with the men's K1 and Mixed team events. All put in a good effort resulting in a top 20 position and many other good positions.
Sam bashing down in the K1 men category
In the mixed team, an unfortunate swim in Jonny, Kirsty and Amy's team meant they DNF however a valiant effort from Calum, Camile and Rebecca secured them 6th place.
Camile, Rebbeca and Calum, Mixed team
Sunday played host to the C1, C2, K1 women's and men's team race. This is the day that we really excelled. Some great C1 and C2 paddling resulted in 6 top 20 positions and the men's teams came 10th and 11th. Amy had a great run with only 4 secs. of penalties coming 13th out of 39.
Jonny, Calum and James in men's team.
The amazing team effort on the weekend meant that as a university we came 3rd overall beating the likes of: Durham and Nottingham. So well done everyone, and thanks to Patrick for your continued encouragement and motivation.
