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Duty Calls. And sometimes it calls you to England. Of all places. An Irish friend commented - why would you go to Plymouth, you can spell Pluto with the letters in Plymouth? Look on a map and you'll see what he means - it makes Wales look accessible.
It's winter break down here. I have a month off. That could be a month imposing upon friends in Boulder, back on glorious French limestone, right here skiing the 2 meters of fresh powder that just fell, or in vast unexplored boulder fields in the north of Chile where it never, ever rains.
But wife needs to finish a master's degree, that makes me designated nanny.
I need to know where there is climbing near Plymouth. Southwest England. Devon. Or Bouldering. Sea cliffs with a toddler are out.
England has a glorious climbing and mountaineering history and some of the strictest ethics in the world. Read no bolts. The Eurostar Chunnel was built largely to transport English climbers to France where they can clip bolts to their hearts delight, drink lovely wine, and see the sun for a change. So it will be interesting to see what's out there. Especially interesting with a 2 year old in tow.
So help me out - if there's anybody out there from the land of cricket and warm beer - hook me up with baby-friendly climbing info on Southwest England. Or at least directions to the nearest ferry to France.
slightlyfuzzy says:
Hi Rav,
Never climbed around Plymouth area myself but if you check out this thread; http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=176619 ....you should find yourself some info and maybe even some folks to hook up with while you're over there (err, here!) - you might want to scroll down towards the bottom for up to date contact details as this thread has been going for over a year! One place that comes up a few times is Chudleigh.... might be worth looking into? (like I said, never been there myself, sorry).
Hope this helps, and I hope that you and the little 'un have fun in good old blighty (oh yes - bring some sun block and a waterproof; you just never can tell which you'll need!).
SF.
"Gravity doesn't ever forget itself or go temporarily off duty" - R. Macfarlane, 2003.
rav says:
Thanks, SF, I appreciate it!
slightlyfuzzy says:
Hey rav, forget what I said about the sunblock - if it stays like this you'll need a couple of kayaks and some drysuits.... it's been torrential rain nearly everyday for the last couple of weeks, but the MET office has just got rid of the (pretty much) country-wide flood warnings now, so perhaps they know something that I don't [which I suppose they should do really!]
SF.
"Gravity doesn't ever forget itself or go temporarily off duty" - R. Macfarlane, 2003.
rav says:
Fuzzy, you don't need to tell me about the rain. I've been pub-bound for the entire time. One day of partial sun since I got here. So I'll take a page from the British book of climbing and buy and plane ticket on Flybe to the South of France.
Good thing your beer rocks!
slightlyfuzzy says:
Dude, you're here already?!.... and pub-bound, bummer! Really though, you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you it was boiling hot this time last year (sorry, you probably didn't even want to know that). Yes our beer does indeed rock (and roll and stumble!). You know, I first thought you were going to say "climb indoors", but the trip to France sounds a lot wiser.... enjoy [and sorry about the crappy weather].
SF.
"Gravity doesn't ever forget itself or go temporarily off duty" - R. Macfarlane, 2003.
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