Sun, booze and bouldering.

Bloody sun. Never thought I'd say that but there's something about being hot that makes me wanted to drink cold lager until it comes out of my nostrils.
Hence, I've not really been doing much climbing to speak of, other than the odd session bouldering. But I have been feeling very hungover for a very long time. Need. To. Stop. Drinking. In. The. Week!!!!

Anyway, one session that warrants a mention is a recent return to Pex Hill, one of my favourite old stomping grounds when I lived in Liverpool.
If you've not been, go. And be prepared to have your arse kicked. Not by the hoodies who seem to like smashing glass bottles there, but by the routes. I could barely get off the ground. My fingers ached like a bastard and what I did do was by far the easiest stuff there. But fucking hell if it's not good practise. I'm going to make it a priority to get back there and do as much as I can to improve my strength.

Also, and whisper it quietly so JT can't hear it, may have spotted an E1 potential. Although it'll probably chew me up and spit me out if I ever got on it, as most Pex routes do.

Even more exciting, though, is the fact that I've got a car! I had my last one nicked by thieving scrotes in Manchester when I was in LA with work back in July last year and replaced it with a motorbike. As I've discussed before on this blog the bike, while awesome for commuting, isn't really the best for carrying heavy climbing kit. Or ferrying girlfriends around. But, and this is typical of the truly amazing people I share a street with, my next door neighbour GAVE me her old Volkswagen Polo! GAVE me it. Unbelievably generous.
Sure, it stank of sweaty dog, it's R-reg, the red paint is now a weird off-pink colour, it's only one-litre, it needs new tyres and there's a massive sticker in the back of a smiling pooch's face which never fails to make onlookers do a double-take, but I fucking love it! It's like when you're a teenager and you've got a shit car, but that little chugger will completely broaden your horizons. And keep you dry when it rains, unlike anything with only two wheels. Plus I couldn't give two shits if I pranged it, which is a pretty liberating feeling too.

The good news continues: JT and lovely woman friend are back from holiday, which means he's keen to get out climbing this week. Awesome, can't wait.

The only down side to the past two weeks is that I played badminton twice this week with the following results: Played seven games - won two, lost five. And one of those was to my missus, who won't fucking shut up about it. And no, I didn't let her win. Going to have to seriously reconsider the sports we play together. Anyone for boxing?