Since the weather has been so nice I cant bring myself to go indoors, or rather - havent been able to bring myself to go indoors. Managed it last night though, meeting up with Dylan, Lucy and James at the foundry. As you would expect, it was fully sweltering, but I'd only a short amount of time and wanted to do some routes. Wondered about climbing in a three - thinking not enough would get done, but was so pumped that needed the rest, and it worked well. You will notice that there are four people I mentioned there, but only three were climbing routes. Mr Foley still refuses to embrace roped climbing, preferring instead to sweat it out on the wave. For once I got involved with the steep central prow, which to be honest, was just brilliant. Falling off from the middle of that roof is great. Its a nice fall into space and no doubt will have done me loads of good. So, nice one and thanks to Dylan and Lucy who were great. More people to do routes with please!
Tomorrow is Wednesday, but as yet climbing plans are doubtful. What that means is that I am definately climbing, but that I wanted to go to Malham or Kilnsey (people keep saying Kilnsey better in this heat) but Ed Brown (who was lined up to be coming) is on about feeling the force of the trad in the mountains somewhere. So, talking to Dan Walker and Rob Napier yesterday, Dan will be up there with someone else and said I'd be welcome, but I dont want to intrude so perhaps I would be better off getting back sheffside and doing something there? Apparently Tom Briggs will have been to WCJ Cornice last night, so I should be able to find out whether its wet from Neil Bentley today. He is heading out on Thursday night, and I would change my Weds to a Thurs but we have a dinner invite so I cant. Dave Mason is working, and that puts me back at the Tor or Rubicon (!) with no belayer. Surely these two will be too hot for serious bouldering? I suppose I could arrive much later, but then I like to get stuck in and get back a bit earlier. It occurs to me that I could go on the top bit of chimes... There's A) never anyone on it and B) the climbing is quite good. I will pester Ed Robinson and try to pervert Ed Brown (!) - trad, tsk! ;-)
So, I rang the car fixer people yesterday - to see how they were getting on. Its cracked a valve port. This means new cylinder head. Remember that we needed a new turbo too? well they reckon a turbo is £700 new!!!!! I nearly fell off my chair and reiterated Keith's £300. My mechanic man has found one for £500 which is new (not recon), but with that and a new head you are looking at £2250!!!!!!!! So I point out that we can replace the whole engine for £1400 + labour (approx £300) - anyway, certainly less than £2250, but they point out that we dont know anything about this engine, and we dont know whether or not we will be in the same situation in a years time. Which I suppose is a valid point, and after much procrastination I think the bigger question is replace the engine and sell the car pretty much straight away, or have it rebuilt and run it for another 2/3 years knowing full history and safe in knowledge of all the work that has been completed? Kind of thinking am going to go with the use new parts know where its been approach, but its a lot of chuffing money innit? So frustrating. Just when you are getting yourself sorted something always needs paying for that crushes your finances again.
3 comments:
Me and Ned are going to a shady Crag Y on Thurs eve if you fancy a change. I have looked but not climbed there yet. Ned's done a few things there at the weekend and said it was the best limestone he's climbed on in the peak!
I think you'd be doing the right thing to shift it on as soon as you get everything replaced. If you're going to do that then surely the cheap way is the way to go?
Trad in the mountains is where it's at :D
Bummer about the car :S
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