Climber - Nov/Dec 23 issue

CRICKET

As I write this I’m watching the rain fall at Old Trafford in Manchester dashing any hope of England winning the test match and levelling the Ashes series. It reminded me of a time I was down at Pembroke’s Stennis Head (this issue’s main feature) except what’s this got to do with cricket you ask? It started with an invite to celebrate a mate’s 50th birthday. Friends and family gathered at St Petrox campsite for socialising, fun and the odd game of cricket. In amongst this, a few of us went climbing, firstly to Stennis Head on a drizzly day, the kind that gets you thinking you can climb but in reality makes stuff wet – so he could lead Riders on the Storm, his favourite route at Pembroke, to remind himself of the moves. The reason for climbing it, he wanted to solo the route on his birthday.

That day dawned with dry weather and the game was on. The only problem was his partner wouldn’t be too keen if she knew what he had planned, so ignorance is bliss. Climbing and camera gear was discreetly packed in the car and the excuse for three of us heading off was to get milk and bread from the shop. She looked curious why it takes three to fetch some milk, though with justifications made off we went. I gave him my bright new shirt – why do climbers insist on turning up in drab colours? I let him keep the shirt, it was his birthday. I went down the ab rope to get photographs and the solo ascent went off without a hitch.

The fun over, we headed back to the campsite and, of course, we came back with no milk or bread and had to fess up in the end. The cricket link, the man in question used to play cricket for England and loves his climbing, especially Pembroke. Check out the photograph on page 25.

I recently headed back to the Churnet Valley in Staffordshire for the first time in many years. This lovely area is in a delightful setting but I’d never been to Farley Woods across the road from the car park.

Be safe.

David