The Teacher, the Duke and I lead an easy couple of grade 12s. This was my first climb since I broke my finger and after 2 months or more the finger is still not fully healed. I fear there is permanent damage. My Futsal career is over and even worse my climbing will now suffer. Despite the grade, I stalled at the second bolt runner. Confidence and bridging saw me finally clean the climb.

The Duke and the Teacher did well to lead both routes.

Bigfoot and the Chock arrived. Bigfoot encountered difficulties on the slab while the Chock seemed to pass this crux with less difficulties.

Gilligan arrived with little Bella. Gilligan immediately enticed the crew with beers. The Grasshopper relented but the Teacher wanted one more climb on the easy stuff. He saddled up ready for a lead, with the Duke on belay. At the first fixed hanger he clipped and then was about to proceed onwards. The Grasshopper watched with some puzzlement. He was climbing as if on a lead but he was tied to a top rope!

"Hey Faz! What are you doing?", the Grasshopper asks.

"I’m leading this climb"

It took a couple of glances at his quickdraw and rope setup to realise his funny predicament. The crew burst out with laughter.

We soon moved on to By Ignorance (13) where Bigfoot had an idea to overcome the crux headwall. He shot up the cliff very quickly to the last ledge. Here his theory was to ascend via the right side where a crack with decent holds seemed to exist. The holds soon ran out and a step out onto the headwall was required to trend left towards the finish. The Bigfoot was so close – perhaps a single foothold was missing in his final attempt.

The Teacher attempted the headwall direct. This required using a couple of crimpers and a high foot hold to lift off the ledge. A mighty effort by the Teacher was not enough to pull through this. The Duke, who likes challenges succeeded in claiming the headwall. The Duke of Climbing the instructed the Chock to try and repeat the same. Like the Teacher, the Chock was drained and could not complete this section. The Chock moved to the left and tacked the small wall before laybacking his way to the top.

After climbing a few of us headed down to the Story Bridge. We had fish & chips, an Angus rump, and Thai curry. The food was fantastic!