Just a quick note about the last few days as I'm in the midst of getting ready to move out tomorrow...

Went down to Llanberis on tuesday morning to meet the rest of the course in Pete's Eats - Eve a local and Luke & Becks from CMC. Went to Tremadog Upper Tier for the first day dealing mainly with personal climbing skills but also some group work stuff. Finished up with some climbing there in the evening as the weather was superb leading a fantastic HS and VS 4c with Eve. Back to Llanberis to crash in the bunkhouse above Pete's Eats after a devouring a Madras from next door.

Up again the next day to meet everybody and then we preceded to flit between several smaller crags locally dealing with stuff like group abseils and rescues etc. Finished up at the Beacon climbing wall again getting some climbing in in the evening. Pretty good wall with some really interesting routes. Then did the paperwork side of things and got recommended to go for assessment as apparently I'm ready, think I'd feel a bit more confident with a few more group sessions outside under my belt so will try and get them in before doing it. Home that evening via an Indian buffet near Wrexham - yet more Madras!

Was fairly tired yesterday but managed to get some stuff done for university before cycling to Rufford to meet Martin so we could practice our sea kayaking for Splash an Dash in the evening.

Next time I post I'll be living in Lancaster and by the sounds of Fresher's Week probably inebriated.

Feels like I've had a bit of a rock and roll lifestyle for the past few days, drinking to all hours every night, jumping on and off planes and meeting some very very attractive foreign ladies! Quite a contrast from last weekend when I spent 3 straight days at the Dark Lane climbing wall!

Stuff really started happeing thursday afternoon, got myself down to Margaret Loma's to do my much needed CRB and have some tea before Martin picked me up and we headed to Lathom. Arrived and met Chris and started packing stuff into numerous veichles, then down to Tawd to unload the stuff only to find somebody had pitched up in the middle of Chris's 'Danger Zone'. Dumped stuff closer to the training field then headed back to the masonic. Hitched a lift back to Tarleton with Ken getting home about 9.30pm and dropping into Yeti which was finishing up. Got in after that for a Portuguese shower and change of clothes before Jenny arrived around 10.30 then grabbed Bob and set off into Preston.

Met David and Katie in Revolution as well as several mates from High School I've not seen for a while. Phil an Lewis arrived shortly after us, drinking and dancing ensued. Me an Lewis then moved on to Yates to meet Liz an Laura and co, and take advantage of the cheaper drinks - £1 a pint! Eventually got evicted when the place shut and went to Loft, now I've not been to loft before but I don't think i'll be going back... £5 to get into a room the size of somebody's loft!!! Think it was about 4am when we got out, after numerous texts throughout the evening between me an Phil counting down the hours to Germany. Grabbed some garlic bread from a kebab house with everybody and then back in the car with Jenny and off home.

Up only a few hours later to frantically pack fro Germany. Stu an Bob arrived and we set off down to Ormskirk. Met the rest of the crew there and in the minibus to Manchester. Checked in fine, minor issue at security with my knee brace and into the terminal to start the weekend with a hearty meal in 'Giraffe' and a few beers. Then downstairs to drink some more at the bar with the purpose of getting free hats... The plane we had was only small being predominantly a business flight as Düsseldorf is in Germany's most industrialized state. So you can image how we fitted in perfectly! More free drinks on the plane courtesy of Lufthansa.

We landed and were greeted by one of our coasts then onto the 'party' bus for the drive to Erkrath and our accommodation in quite a posh boarding school. We found some crates of Becks in the entrance and gathered around them when one of the German organizer's arrived to highlight the European stereotype of the British that we do drink an awful lot... We got given our teams (I must stress this is a sporting weekend - we didn't just get pissed!) and back on the party bus to go bowling. After driving around the leafy suburbs of Erkrath we arrived at the place and started bowling which was good fun, there is also the small fact there was a free bar.

Back to the school to consume huge quantities of Beck's and mix with the foreigners. Many an hour later I headed upstairs, last to bed with Ricko. On the way we found Phil in a room with 5 of the younger girls... entered and talked for a while until we decided to remove Philip much to his disgust. Got abuse for half an hour or so from him while going to sleep claiming we'd ruined his chance for a foreign five-some!!!

Woke not feeling too bad, just extremely tired due to the lack of sleep on the previous too nights. Had breakfast and then off to go swimming at the local pool. Did countless races against the other teams in the pool, with me and Waldamar (who Lewis referred to as Voldemort) having to do double laps due to our team being a few people town... absolutely exhausted. Got some relaxation at the end jumping off the rather tall diving board and playing polo. Back to the school for lunch, with more Becks.

Off to Düsseldorf for afternoon to peruse some very expensive shops, on allegedally the most expensive street in Germany. More bouncers on the doors there then there is in Manchester on a Saturday night! Many many posh cars as well, went to look at a Bentley with Phil an Lewis and then crossed a road only to nearly get mowed down by a Ferrari! Soon learnt the lesson that Germany is like the US, no J-walking. Got some Jagermeister from one of the shops and then back to re-group via some of the local beer tents that lined the streets. They employ a very very clever idea whereas the price of a beer includes the glass so you can just walk off with it, or with 3.

That evening we were doing water-skiing which I've never done before... and not behind a boat ever, on a crazy ski-lift-esque maching that towed you in circular pattern round the lake at great speed. I still maintain that machine was the devil. Took me a few a go's to get the hang of it but when I did it was superb, defentely something to do again.

After this it was onto the evening's BBQ, good food and even better watched Pam get extremely drunk. Likened the level of respect I had for her to the level of beer in my bottle - constantly falling, and then to be ultimately discarded. Back to the school to consume much Jagermeister, the best part of two bottle methinks! Talked with everybody, occasionally making very poor attempts at German. Played spin the bottle with the foreigners, sang some more, tried to deal with a pissed Maria and failed, sang more and then eventually at a god-forsaken hour collapsed on the coach in our room. Top night. Absolutely fantastic.

Woken by Ricko, had breakfast and then packed stuff to get back on the Party Bus. Slept all of the way as by this point I really think I was suffering from exhaustion, and was probably also still drunk from a few hours earlier. When we arrived I thought they'd driven us to an abandoned industrial estate to be shot or similar but we went inside one of the derelict looking warehouse to find a pretty cool sports centre! Our final competition was beach volleyball and football. Our team nailed the football and won one out of 2 of our volleyball matches.

Lunch was at another venue, I think maybe their town hall with a very German buffet. The team's results were announced, we (Orange) came 3rd which is a downturn from last years 1st but we maintained we were defentely the most stylish! Said goodbyes after this and got back on the party bus and to the airport, every thing after this is quite blurred as I was falling asleep whenever I sat down!

Lots of photos all over facebook of the weekend, I'll put some of mine onto my gallery when I get the chance.

So again, a weekend with no mountaineering much like Connected but in this case possibly better than a lot of weekends in the mountains I've had. Made lots of new friends that I think I'll be keeping in touch with, and had a great time with others I've know for a very long time. Pretty dam good.

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.

Just a quick note to start with... this is my 50th Blog entry! So I'm averaging on more than one a week which is above what I was aiming for... so all is good.

Spent Friday in Southport first trying to frantically get a photo printed and then
finding a frame for it before buying large quantities of meat for Dave & Tracey's BBQ. Ash collected me from the house around 5 and we set off plotting a route on minor roads south, through St. Helens for a un-forfilling LPG stop an then on the M62. Eventually got to Heather's farm shortly after 7. Was then ditched by both Ash and Heather (!!!) so borrowed a guidebook and ran up to the local crag of Windgather, about 20 minutes away. Light was dying so gleaned what I could from a guidebook and then solo'ed 2 mods, 5 diffs and 2 vdiffs - so a rather productive 50mins. Back to Heather's to chill with her folks and discuss with her dad what sought of a dowry he should offer to marry Heather off!


Woken from my bed on the living room floor by Heather at 8am and had some breakfast then watched the DVD of Heather climbing Valkyrie at The Roaches followed by many stories of people having big and scary falls on there with career ending consequences - not a good thing to hear about a route your about to do! Ash arrived soon, and smartly paid no attention to the tales of the route Heather was spinning and after the Tupperware incident we were soon off. Stopped for fuel, and Heather decided on a Magnum to aid her head which apparently worked...


Arrived at The Roaches, I've never climbed there before, was chased along the top a few years ago on an Alcatraz by Andy Davies and Matty Parker though! Me an Ash decided to go straight for Valkyrie, the 2 pitch VS/HVS with pendulum fall potential. First pitch went well to a really nice belay. We tossed to see who was going to lead the next one and I won, or lost depending on how you look at it. First moved entailed swinging out onto the buttress via a big flake and getting a sling over it before downclimbing the flake on the other side - while attempting not to fall and become a human wrecking ball. Managed the first bit ok and attempted to move down the flake but then suddenly didn't have the nerve to go any further - looking down the flying buttress to the ground a long way below. Decided that rather than push on and end up hurting myself the wisest move was to come back an let Ash have a go - we all have to admit defeat sometimes! Ash led it out, managing the part where I bottled it across the gap and up the frontal face of the buttress. I then had the job of seconding which on most climbs is usually a piece of cake but on this there is still quite a fall potential for the second due to the downclimb. The hardest part was after the first move, having to remove two 240cm slings from the spike and do 'something' with them to get them out the way before continuing the downclimb while hanging off the slopers on the top of the flake. Knew there was no chance of knotting them or coiling the round me so ended up stuffing them down my shirt. Continued down eventually finding the ONLY foothold which is very cunningly hidden and no matter how you do it is invisible! Had an epic fight with one of the hexes Ash had placed before making the ballsy move across the gap then up the fabulous climbing on the frontal face to the top. Topped out an shook Ash's hand an we both took in what we'd just done feelling rather happy. We then sorted the gear and I passed him the slings which were down my shirt now rather damp - a consequence of what I can only describe as 'fear sweat'!

Wandered down and found Heather who had been taking the rather spectacular photos of us while intermittently bouldering and being a general Crag Socialite. She'd eyed up a HVS 5a on the upper tier so after recouping with fresh orange and donuts we went up there. Ash was on belay duty and I was on photo duty. Heather did a really good job up to the crux which after 'physcing' her self up she manged only to find she couldn't reach the final hold for the last committing move. After a few goes she decided to come down admitting defeat. Ash decided it was worth having ago so tied on and I belayed him up and he managed the final move, I then followed and stripped the route of the gear. Got to the top and felt happy once again, very content that we'd climbed, depending on which guidebook you look in 2 HVSs.


Swiftly (no pun intended Heather!) to the car and further south to Dunchurch where Dave an Tracey's quaint little cottage sits in a village just outside of Rugby for their housewarming. Ash drove, I navigated and Heather sprawled out on the back seats and went to sleep. Took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there including our impromptu stop at 'Ash Green'.

Really good crowd of people there, and lots of food, oh, and the keg! Fed and socialized for the evening which eventually degraded into a few of us raving in the front room to some music Dave had put on at some early hour in the morning! Eventually we all fell asleep, leaving the stereo playing which some music that Jonathan had chosen claiming we could sleep to it.


Woke up at 10ish and glanced across the coffee table through the maze of bottles, pint glasses and wine glasses to Ash who had also just woken. Had weird photos taken then went to the kitchen to say good morning to everybody and have some nice breakfast sausages cooked by Maria with some of the excess BBQ sauce that was supplied with my ribs the previous night.

Bid farewell to Dave an Tracey, and everybody else after lunch an started our journey home. Went via Buxton to drop Heather off and then Knutsford and north. Called in at Ash's to let him steal my photos of the weekend then he dropped me off.

Conclusion - amazing weekend, did 10 routes including a VS an HVS and had a great evening with good friends. Very content now.

Up and off early in the morning heading south to welsh Wales! Left mine shortly before 8am and managed to avoid all traffic ending up at the car park in Ogwen around 10. Andy hadn't done much climbing for a while but was keen so I thought he'd really enjoy a day I'd done with Dave an Tracey in the area a few months ago, moving alpine style up a few multi-pitch routes strung together.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side, we left the car park in full waterproofs and it was still coming down when get got to the base of the slabs. Decided to have a crack anyway and if the first pitch did turn to out to be slippery death on a stick we'd come back. I led up and didn't find it 'too' trying so brought Andy up to the first belay and set off up the next pitch. It went on like this for another few pitches with things being difficult but not impossible. I had forgotten about the crux on one of the top pitches though, in dry conditions a simple traverse across an angled smooth slab with lots of smearing on the rock with rock boots. A whole different issue when its lashing it down and wearing big boots with no edges or sole left (mental note to get Trangos re-soled!), first step onto the slab and my foot slid from beneath me...'ah, this could take a little more thinking' I think was my though. After about 15 minutes of trying different ways I figured it out, I had to grasp the single hold in the middle, a little crimp and then crouch down before lunging for a tuft of grass on the other side... will not be in a rush to do that again! Then came the problem of bringing Andy across, who was I think reaching the end of his comfort level by now. I knew that when he took out my last piece of gear he woulden't be protected and if he slipped he'd fall a long down and swing. Placements were sparse but I managed to find a good nut about 5m above and clipped the rope going from me to him into it and used it to keep him on a tight rope as he crossed the slab. One more pitch after this and we were at the top.

We then roped together and moved on up the ledges taking the easiest route possible as there wasn't an inch of rock that was dry! We eventually topped out into the Cwm, and after a bit of persuasion I convinced Andy that we should go for Cneifion Arete as apparently he hadn't been really enjoying it that much up to now, and I could certainly sympathize with him, I now see why nobody climbs on the slabs in the rain!

The first pitch of the Arete is fairly steep, and quite strenuous I think for a diff but all the holds and gear are there if you look for them. I set off and managed to get most of the way to the stance below the chimney before Andy had to set off, the rope went tight as is normal but he didn't move for ages. Peered back over the edge to see him having a few problems so set up a belay and brought him up to me. I then set off up the chimney, this is where Andy started to have real problems - he'd had his sleeves rolled up all day and as a consequence of the muscles getting cold he was getting really bad cramp in both his arms. He attempted the chimney but kept getting the feeling it was pushing him out. Eventually I lowered him back down to the grassy ledge and got him to drop his coils and stick his rucksack on the rope. Brought that up to me and then stuck him on a magic plate and had him come up the chimney again slowly and pointed out all the holds and without his sack his manged to do it. Realized at this point that getting off this at speed was a priority so sat Andy down and told him to wait until the rope went tight and he heard me shout and then start climbing. I then solo'ed up the arete with both the sacs running out the length of the rope and then brought Andy up to me. He'd managed to compose himself a bit by now so took his sac back and I solo'ed up again at speed, two more of these pitches and we were at the top - very much to the relief of Andy!

Contemplated going to bag the Glyders but Andy wanted to get back so we went straight down the Y Gribbon ridge to Cwm Idwal. Got tot he car park at 18.45pm so a pretty long day, but an adventure at that!

Been wanting to do this route for a very long time, eyed it up every time I've been to Dow. Its a really impressive line which winds its way through some of the spectacular rock structures on the very imposing A Buttress, needless to say its very atmospheric! Its six pitches of VS, and I can now say that every pitch is certainly VS, and all of them deserve their technical grades! Probably the most significant image I have of the climb was of a wet day at Dow, coming of Murray's in the rain and seeing quite a lot of people not looking too happy at certain parts on the route and a whole world of fluorescent nylon tat beginning to appear! Was going to attempt it with Phil on the March weekend earlier in the year but were foxed firstly by the amount we drank the night before and secondly by the fact that it started to snow!

Had already been in the Lakes earlier in the week and experienced the atrocious weather, not really into this getting rained on! Forecast for the weekend brightened up though so spoke to Ash, debated and then decided to go for it on Saturday. Mega early start, up at 5.30am to make sure we were off the route before the rain came in. Got to Walna Scar soon after 8 and sorted rack, then re-sorted after deciding we had too much. Got to the bottom of the route for 9.30ish and were climbing soon after.

Ash did the first pitch which didn't waste anytime starting with a short traverse and then up a steep wall. I followed him up and then led through onto the next pitch which was the longest, a 4b but with some tricky moves with lots of exposure. All the gear and holds were there they just took some looking for! Ash then came up and went through to do a relatively short pitch of 4c which traversed a very delicate line above an overhand with quite a novel threaded nut for gear in the middle. We swapped again and I did the next one, up as the guidebook described it as a 'Crevasse line' simply a very big diagonal crack in the rock, brought back memories of savage slit, this was followed by a rather bold round a rib to the belay. I think as I made the move I made some 'comments' which Ash agreed with once he joined me at the belay, nothing but nearly 100m of air below your ankles kind of stuff. The next pitch was the photogenic one, well photogenic if you didn't mind your belayer leaving go of the rope to take some snaps of you while you perched on some very small holds, with not much gear and a very large drop... sort of like the photo in the guidebook! I then followed Ash up this superb pitch and led through onto the final one, another really good pitch of climbing, quite delicate and with quite a few bits that made you 'think'. Ran the rope up as far as I could to near the top of the buttress until drag got too much an brought Ash up we then moved up to the top and sat down and took in what we'd just done with some very big grins!

Back down to the car within an hour and into to Ambleside to meet Simon and peruse various shops in search of Merino Wool, eventually ended up getting one of Simon's which he bought a few months ago but hasen't really used as he isn't a fan of sleeves... and a bonus at £20! Called in very quickly at GT on the way back to say hi to Mr & Mrs Miller who were up there for the service team weekend and then drive rather quickly, on small minor roads while simultaneously searching for coffee to Waddacar. Spent a few hours there, leaching food from Pete's BBQ and talking to Ricko about the Gathering amongst other things.

Ash's account is on his site - http://www.ashthegreen.co.uk/ashblog/?p=88

There the words I can't get out of my head after Thursday nights session... but more on that later!

Fresh back from Mexico I got my A-level results on thursday morning, the one I was really hoping for was my Physics; defentely the subject I've found the hardest over the last few years, and over study leave I spent every day in college in the lab doing every past paper from now back to 95! Was really hoping for a B which is what I needed to get on the Geophysics course at Edinburgh. Unfortunately I only managed a C, and I later worked out I was only 1.25% of the grade boundary for the B... a few more marks over the two years and every thing would of been different! Gave Edinburgh a ring just to see if there was any flexibility in the system, and apparently there isn't and they aren't even offering any places in clearing this year as they've already filled all there places in all departments. So turned to my second choice which was Lancaster, who had accepted me. Gave the admissions tutor there a ring and he said that they would really like me and that they were impressed with my personal statement and I was the sort of person they wanted so I could choose any course in their department... and a place on their International Students course. So it didn't turn out too bad, considering that the original asking price for the course I'm planning on doing at Lancaster now is the same as what Edinburgh wanted from. In some ways as well it may be better, the course itself is an Earth Science one, so not as specialized as the Geophysics course but its still has Geophysics modules in the second and third year, and if in 3 years time when I'm finished I'm still really keen on Geophysics I can always do a masters in it which will put me at the same level, if not a stage higher than if I'd come out of Edinburgh.

Got persuaded by Steph, and then by Joey to join the masses going to Preston that night. Met Barry in Manyanna's first then we went to join the queue for Lava. Soon realised it was going to take a very long time so me, Ian an Barry killed another hour in Revolution before going back to Lava through the slightly (£9!!!) more expensive door but no queuing... Met a whole host of people inside, many I know from college and also people i've not seen properly since high school. Very very fun, lots of dancing and drinking. People started to drift off from 1.30/2ish I think. Remember being on the dancefloor with Davidoff, looking at my watch to see it was 3.25am and that a lot of people were leaving. Once outside got in a taxi and explained in some manner to the driver I didn't have much cash and could he take me as close to Tarleton as he could with £15. Got me to Much Hoole, 40mins (5.6km) to run from there... wished I had the money to get myself some Rios at the time though! Home just before 5.

The next day was fairly uneventful, mainly due to the fact I slept in all the way to 7.30pm at night! Got up and had some cereal then went to Helen's to see her, catch up on things and return bits of kit I'd acquired.

Out Saturday morning climbing with Rob, destination was Trowbarrow. Stopped in Lancaster first as I'd promised myself a pair of rock-boots with some cash I'd got given for my birthday, ended up after a few hours with a pair of Red Chili Sausilitos, in very sexy red! Got in 3 long routes at Trowbarrow before the rain came, then very swiftly ran away home.

That evening was Emma's 18th BBQ at her house but the plans of a summery BBQ were rather scuppered by the weather. Was still a good do though, met loads of new people many of them very very talented musically, spent a good few hours just sat in chair listening to them play! Was supposed to be camping in the garden but had neglected to find my tent before I came so instead had just a bivi bag, kept me perfectly dry if a little clostrophobic as I had to have it sealed all the way up as the rain puring.

Woken up this morning by Emma, saying bye an thanks as she was off to church. Discovered I was last up so packed my stuff, had some toast very kindly cooked for me by Emma's mum and then headed off.

Out to drinks tonight, was a bit depleted as first with only me, Steph, Ian an Carrington but more turned up eventually. Lift home with Steph, got in and had a shower and started writing this!

Going to the Lakes tomorrow and then hoping to hit North Wales later in the week but all depends on this weather... I'm not a fan of climbing in the rain!

It may appear that I'm writing this on my birthday, but while its 1am of the 4th of August back home its only 6 in the evening here!

After my first foray into the world of ancient Mayan culture, visiting the ruins on the coast earlier in the week at Tulum I went to visit Chichen Itza, the famous archeological site yesterday. I'd seen lots of photos of the main pyramid there before but none of them compared to seeing it in the flesh and also I was surprised as I'd been under the impression that once you had seen the pyramid that was about it to see at the site, but I was wrong. The pyramid is only a small part of what is a huge Mayan city. 70% f it is still buried in jungle and not accesable.

Aswell as the pyramid we got took round the ball courts, several smaller temples and the marvellous tower of astronomy. After this we left and went to one of the local Cenotes. The Yucatan peninsula is strange in that it has no rivers, or very very few at least and all of the fresh water in the area is drawn from water-filled holes in the ground call cenotes (pronouced Sen-note-a-ss). These are effectively huge boreholes in the limestone bedrock, often topped with a roof making them a cave. The one we went to a cave and we swam in, underneath, above and around the biggest stalactites and stalacmites i've seen.

After this we went for lunch to a local retaurant, a favourite of the taxi driver we were using and where he ate with his family. It was fairly basic and we were the only western people in there but the food was amazing. I had spicy beef kebabs with rice and tortilla chips. Felt completely like being in the rural mexico thats portrayed in many movies, with an old man sat in the corner strumming his guitar!


We then headed back south towards Tulum stopping briefly at some small ruins at Coba, a much smaller site when compared to Chichen Itza. Climbed to the top of the pyramid here, slightely higher than the one at Chichen Itza to get amizing views out over the jungle. It was like a green sea as far at the eye can see, the canopy occaisionaly broken by the odd cenote. Took a few panorama pictures which will hopefully come out well.

Off out for the evening meal now, a barbecue on the beach!

Met a very nice girl this morning while swimming in the sea, at first percieved her to be American but soon lernt she was actually German and just spoke exceptional english with an American accent, at least a hundred times better than my German! Had a drink and then some lunch with her, Katerina, only to discover shes leaving tomarrow - gutted! Spent a few more hours talking and swimming with her and then decided I had to do something a little more active...

Instead of going to the gym this afternoon I found out that the watersports center rents out kayaks so borrowed one and went for a paddle for an our or so into the sea. was really good paddling above the coral reefs and seeing all the colorful fish below. Had fun trying to surf the breakers and they came in over some of the further out sandbanks with varying degrees of sucess - Raymond would of been proud!

Off for a meal now, and then I think some dancing might be in order as theres a concert going on tonight...

Flew out from Manchester at the weekend and after a reasinable 10 hours on the plane landed in Cancun.Then in a minibus and drove 2 hours south along the coast of the Yucatan Penisula to the hotel near the small town of Tulum.

First thing to sat about Mexico is it bloody ht, probably hotter tan anywhere i've been before, and thats including being on the equatorin Singapore! Just about getting aclimatized now. The food is amazing, the local stuff is often completely different from the mexican food that is sold in the UK or to the market in the states. For example, tacos which in the UK are usually quite hard and very similar to Nachos are much more like what we would call Tortillas! Been to the gym every day to now for a few hours and if I don't want to come back looking like most of the Americans that are here with the amount of food i'm eating looks like i'm going to have to keep it up!

Before I went I'd been looking at the area where I am on google-earth, found that there was a archeological site, the Tulum Ruins about 6 miles down the beach. Did some more googling to see if it was possible to walk there with not much look, most people saying bits and bobs about impassable cliffs and such. Decided to give it a go anyhow so had breakfast on morning, left the other and went down the beach. Took probably 1.30hrs to get most of the way, walking along some fantastic secenery, the green jungle spilling out onto the white sand with the bright blue Carribbean sea lapping at the sure. Eventually got to these 'impassible' clifs that i'f heard talked about but could see the pyramids in the ruins not oo far away so scrambled along them while the were still easy. The rock on the coast here is razar sharp and very brittle, I found myself breaking bits off in my hands. Eventually the cliffs got quite a bit steeper so I dropped down into the sea below and had a go at swimming outa bit and round, got 30m or so when I realised this probably wasen't the best idea with the posibility of getting thrown against the aforementioned rocks! Decided to get back on the cliffs and have a go at traversing across then, the climbing wasen'ttoo hard, and quite pleasant with really good holds in the pot-holed rock. I get to quite an exposed bit, a traverse above a roof that the sea had cut forming a cave and got across it ok. As I reached for the last whole in a big crack a huge Iguana popped its head out and looked at me, and I looked at it before it scuttled off up the rock. Most cool. Continued along and got to the ruins, had a look round them, which were filled withs loads more Iguanas then went to some more of the beach cliffs which had some boudering problems I'd found out about so had a crack at a few. Wandered into the town and through some of the markets and then got a taxi back to the hotel. Top adventerous day!


Went to another local town yesterday, Playa del Carmen, this is further north up the coast so was a lot more westernised/touristy than Tulum, still nice to see though.

Hopefully going to Chichen Izta tomarrow to sea the mother of all Mayan Pyramids, sound be really good especially with visiting a Cenote and the ruins at Coba as well... but i'll right about that later. Off to th beach now to sip cocktails and relax in the sun for the rest of the day!