In Need of a Master Plan...

All the cars seemed so modern, the roads super smooth, the grass lush and green on the journey back from Heathrow. Africa seemed a million miles away but the pleasure of the experience from going there began to fully sink in. I realised, as i gazed out of the car window on the M25, much of what we take for granted in the UK is absent in Africa and that creates a vastly different experience for the traveller.

Anyway the question was now what? Well to be honest that's still to be fully decided. US visa restrictions have meant that an extended stay in the US of A is not that feasible and a shorter trip doesn't really work with the buying the van and touring around type idea. However this is a climbing year for me and that's what I plan to be doing up to 2010 but i need to iron out location and formulate an exact plan.

Whilst the cogs were turning, trying to establish this master plan, I got out for a few days in the peak. My brother came up from London, he was super keen (Deliverance attempts @ 6.10am for instance), but my psyche was pretty low so we kinda found a happy medium in between.

Highlights for me; a few new things at Stoney up to 7c and Mark's Roof at Gardoms in pretty naff conditions, that was a laugh. Lowlights; most definitely day 1 at Stanage, really humid and still, failed miserably on Brad Pitt and got about 200 (no lie) midge bites that im still scratching away at 5 days later.

Back in London now for some serious birthday boozing (30th and 40th) and once the hangover mist clears ill be on my way again. Just watched Neil H's latest dose from Font and got sweaty palmed. I need to get back to the magic forest soon. The wheels are slowly grinding into motion...