The day Pete sent the Trossachs

Well, after two weeks of cake eating and arm bending today was never going to be my day. I did, however, make it to Ratho for the first time this week to check it out. Very nice. Lots of bouldering to go at and a campus board. They have got rid of the barrel wall though which seems a shame. Lets hope they change the problems frequently. Although the Blue Oyster banter was noticeable by its absence, I think I will be happy to train there in the years to come. The hour to an hour and a half drive from work to the centre has made training tiresome for the last six months since I moved to Stirling. Ratho is an easy twenty five minutes away from work. The move will be god for me although I will miss the chat. Hopefully, I will get the four training days a week I need to move through my plateau. The once or twice a week I managed all summer/autumn has simply maintained my captain status, no better, no worse. 

And so it was, I went to the Trossachs with Pete and Jonny. I climbed lots of thing I have climbed before (including HB 6b+) which was fun but hardly inspiring. What was inspiring though was seeing Pete climb the triptych of Jawa 6c, Tourist Trap 6c+ and Fight Club 6c+ with no bother. It was a mark of ten months of four times a week training. Pete, I know you are reading! I am relieved in a way that you didn't get that RSPB job. Commuting is a test-piece and I would be gutted if you had to give up a couple of training days for it. You would just keep on the same grade like I have done and stop improving the way you have been. 

Anyway... I'm already starting to send at Ratho. I am going tomorrow. Jeeka and I will be moving in the next couple of weeks so life will soon be very different but I will have up to two hours of my day back again which can be spent training. Two hours wasted in the car every day just so I can drive my desk!! Its gutting but it will be over soon.