Friday brought rain, in fact from the moment I got up I don't think it stopped raining once. Tom arrived at mine at 3 just as I got a text from Maria to say we were leaving an hour later so we killed some time - mainly looking out the window wondering if it was was going to ever stop raining, it didn't.

Olivia soon arrived and we packed the car and left, a quick pause at the BP garage at the Parbold Junction to meet Maria and we headed South. The weather was still atrocious and their was congestion on the M62 so suggested the A580, which after finding our way onto it through some small flooded roads turned out to be a good move. Hit the ring road and came off in Stockport to stock up on much needed supplies at the Tesco there (Jägermeister) and then south through Marple to the campsite. Put too much faith in Olivia's sat nav which took us the wrong way... into a farm with a £10 turning fee! Hastily retreated and found the right entrance.

Put up tent and then into Marple with Maria, Olivia an Tom to retrieve Chicken Madras. Back at the site we engaged in the evenings activities, got to talk and catch up with loads of people i've not seen over the summer. Heather made an appearance which was cool, taking a liking to Tom! To bed 5ish maybe...
Up an packed stuff, due to the continuing rain made a tactical decision to go to awesome walls rather than a crag. Didn't bother me too much as 'd been climbing at where we would of gone (Windgather) the week before. The awesome walls place in Stockport is truly awesome. Theres a 25m wall which I think is the biggest 've ever seen, really good for stamina training. Found grading a bit funny tough, quite a few of the 5's were easier than some of the 6a's - strange, but then again I reckon its April since I climbed indoor! Ate lunch on the big nice leather couches upstairs while flicking through copies of climb and moaning that my climbing shoes that I've had for 2 weeks now look more abused than Katie's that shes had for over a year, despite being th same model! I blame Valkyrie.

Sloped off late afternoon after getting quite pumped and suggesting that a few pints in a beer garden would be a nice way to finish the day to Julie.

Once back to site watched a drunk Jenny roll about in the mud, had a nap then feasted at the BBQ. Then it was Toga time, got into my costume and started the partying. Really good fun and was great to see most people had made an effort with their costumes. The band that played were pretty good and seemed to hold scouting in some respect which was good, then dancing ensued which was also good. Found myself with Tom an Maria around 3am I think with most people either in bed or passed out somewhere... so figured that we should probably follow the trend!

Got woken up by Tom an 12.30pm, apparently I'd missed flag-break and all the morning activities (not the first time thats happened!). It was still raining do they moved the closing ceremony earlier to 1pm. Packed stuff and said goodbyes then hopped in Maria's car and set off home. Had a minor hitch with a detour to Denton but other than that the journey home was smooth.

So, a weekend of a lot less mountain adventure then I've been used too over the last few months but none the less good. I am coming to terms with the fact that on a lot of these events the priority is the social side of things rather than the activities which if thats what people want I don't have a problem with, but I do come away feeling rather un-satisfied. Hmn.