Guest Post: Climbing With the Cockbains

Thanks go to Jane Cockbain for sending us her thoughts from a recent "Community Climbing" event:

We set off for the Community Climbing event with only a small group of people, made up of 3 adults and 1 teenager plus Mal who ably instructed and encouraged us.

 

God blessed us with a clear, dry and relatively still evening to set up at Windmore End at Brough, a place I had never been before.

The rock didn't look too daunting as it wasn't that high - the guide book did say however that the place took after its name and could be quite unforgiving with the elements, so when we were there and it was relatively still and we were in a recess, I felt most blessed and almost cocooned.

Before I continue I should just say that I have previously done more abseiling than climbing, mostly in my younger days and more on static towers than hard rock. Our son however, the teenager is lithe and athletic and has always shown an interest in climbing, hence our main reason for joining on the event.

My husband who was happy to keep both feet on the ground willingly took up the belay position with our son climbing one of the first ropes put up. He made it look extremely easy - watching on I thought 'what it is to be young', admiring his speed and confidence. Then came my turn; wearing trainers making it harder I think, I had my feet placed at an angle and I cautiously tried to reach up to grab a hand hold which was just out of reach and failed several times over. Not one for giving up, I had a rest and then tried again and failed. I don't remember this feeling from years ago, I would have made the stretch, had the strength in my fingers and arm to hold on but following invasive surgery to my left side, that stretch and strength are no longer there, the head and heart were willing but the body, not so.

Our son continued climbing on the other 2 routes put up and our other adult climbing partner, through perseverance and a bit of encouragement, made it up all 3, I however only conquered 1. This for me was a great achievement after life's storms of the last 5 years and I came away feeling: tired and happy but challenged, and a sense that I need to be aware of physical limitations but so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family doing something fun.

 

 

Out in the North Western Fells

A couple of new Wainwrights's on Saturday (Mellbreak & Hen Comb):

Mellbreak Looking Quite Imposing

Mellbreak's Scree Slope

Loweswater

Mellbreak Summit

Crossing Mosedale Beck

Hen Comb Summit

About 6 Miles & 2,375' of Ascent

Drawn by Hope & Driven by Fear

The day after election day, its a strange morning to wake up to. 

I can't hide the fact that I seek to be part of an inclusive society that supports the poor and needy; the widow and the foreigner; one that has world class healthcare and public services; one that takes its place alongside our European neighbours rather than courting the concept of a stand alone nation. The ideology that a well supported and cared for elite will ultimately result in wealth trickling down through society resonates to me as the politics of division. 

A recent stand out comment suggested: "People are drawn by hope & driven by fear". 

Now I'm a Unionist rather than a Nationalist, however, I see the people of Scotland being drawn by the hope of what is perceived to be a better future in a progressive society with a clear vision to look forward to, whereas I'm sad to conclude, an English nation that has been driven by fear throughout this election campaign and for longer. The Financial Times lists key "fears" constantly referred to throughout the English campaign: "fear of Scottish nationalism; fear of Labour profligacy; fear of Ed Milliband; seven days to save the NHS" & I would add to the list the unmerited paranoia of "fear of the foreigner".

So this morning, I'd say well done Scotland - the only part of the UK to be drawn by hope & to vote for a bright, positive vision of the future.

Loch Torridon at Dawn

Photo of the Month: April

There were so many superlative photos taken on Loch Shiel, in beautiful weather, during this years open canoe expedition! As such rather than tackle the impossible task of choosing "the best one" we decided to go for the group photo taken on the last night by Sandra feeling that it captured the true spirit of the trip which was the people who took part.

Adventure & Routine

The Sun Shines on the Righteous...

With the current unsettled weather our thoughts turn to the glorious sun that we were blessed with on expedition ...

Time Flies...

Its hard to imagine that later this week the month of May will be upon us! March and April have been a very busy time, in fact March is already a fading memory. As is often the case its difficult to post regularly at this time of year - please accept our apologies.

April began with a week off and a trip down south to catch up with family & friends, Easter quickly transitioned to our first open canoe expedition of 2015. There was an article posted on these pages which covered the trip, we were blessed by the most amazing weather!

Exped was quickly followed by another glorious spell of weather which saw us working in both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks' - we spent a day on Ullswater with a youth group (canoeing & Team Development Games); a day underground in Sunset Hole & Great Douk with a great group of folk from Sunderland; before reverting back to the Lake District for a spell of freelancing. Sadly, the weather changed for today's group of young people but we had a an excellent, albeit it cold, morning in Stoneycroft Gill followed by more Team Development Games by the River Derwent at Grange. Looking into the week ahead we are expecting another visit to the Lakes for some canoeing; an evening's caving and some climbing, "stackers" and bushcraft on a Church weekend - that'll see May well and truly arrived!!