_I've had a very busy but very productive and enjoyable week with the students at the Manor.
We've been to Roche Rock, Sennen, The Dewerstone and Bodmin Moor this week.
The students have been getting to grips with setting up top ropes, bottom ropes, abseils and performing rescues as well. The Dewerstone was nice and sheltered after being battered by the wind, rain and waves at Sennen the day before!
A very good week.
Outside of work I've been climbing a bit including more on the slate at Llanberis, a trip to Avon Gorge and I'm off sport climbing to Portland tomorrow.
Been working down in Cornwall this week on the Outdoor Instructor Course that I'm involved with.
On Monday we had our first climbing session at Roche Rock looking at the basics such as belaying and tieing in.
Tuesday saw us at Trewavas Head, a lucky day with the weather as we just about stayed dry and we did plenty of climbing and belaying and began to look at how to rig some set ups.
We had an intro to navigation session on Wednesday before heading out to Bodmin Moor for an overnight exercise which continued into Thursday. Thursday was spent looking at micro nav as we work towards the students doing their Mountain Leader or Walking Group Leader training.
Hovis joined me in the tent to keep me company on the overnighter. Nothing like a dog trying to share your sleeping bag!
Had a great day on Monday attending a Bushcraft training day in Dorset run by Land & Wave. It was a windy day so getting fires going was nice and easy.
We covered various methods of lighting fires, made lots of different types of shelters, skinned some rabbits and plucked some partridges.
The food we cooked was super tasty and all the more satisfying having started quite literally from scratch.
I look forward to passing on my new found knowledge as it's a session I do quite regularly.
I have spent the week working on a residential course in Swanage. Working with a year 7 seven group from London we did all sorts including walking to Corfe Castle and talking about some of the more gruesome stories, team building, high ropes adventure and bushcraft to finish.
This weekend I have been assessing two Duke of Edinburgh groups in the New Forest. Both did very well and coped with a mixed bag of weather.
Started off the week with a couple of days climbing, including another day on the Ruckle where amongst others I climbed Jasper and Lightning Wall, both at HVS 4c. Jasper has a typical Swanage first pitch - a little bit brutal, Lightning Wall is a classic, varied route a local "must do".
I then did some D of E work locally for Bryanston School in some nice sunny weather with a very pleasant group. The guys were doing their Bronze Practice and did very well.
Then on Sunday I did an intro lead climbing day at Subluminal in Swanage, a great day which culminated in the pair leading two routes each. The weather cleared up throughout the day and we focused on placing quality gear.
Went for a quick trip to the Gower in South Wales last week. First time I've been, great for easy access single pitch Lime stone.
Back in Swanage I've done some climbing work with a youth group and on Saturday I ran an intro lead climbing course with an adult group. Great day and the weather turned out to be excellent after a shaky start!
I also found time for a couple of routes on the Ruckle which is always good.
Not many updates lately as I've been so busy..
I've just got back from North Wales where I've been for a couple of weeks.
I did my Mountain Instructor Award training at Plas y Brenin and stayed up for a week after to get some climbing in.
Doing some more climbing this week mixed in with a little work!
Below is (rubbish) photo of me having just done Looning the Tube (E1 5b) in the slate quarries.
Still super busy!
Been working all over as usual including a residential near Brecon, D of E on the North Downs and a week in Cornwall plus some climbing, high ropes and bushcraft.
Off to South Wales again next week doing some D of E. Would be nice to be at home at some point!
Will add some photos soon.....
Very, very busy times.
Have been doing all sorts lately, from White Water Rafting to Navigation and from Go Ape! to Mountain Biking.
Currently down in Cornwall working for the week on a multi activity residential course.
Have been doing lots of climbing as always, I spent a few days last week in the Wye Valley and today I'm off to Bosigran as I have a day off.
Busy as always, doing the usual mix of work including D of E work, high ropes instructing and climbing sessions at Dancing Ledge.
In my time off I've been out playing on my mountain bikes, climbing in the South West.
More D of E work this weekend and then off to North Wales to work for the week.
