Went with Stealth and Frank to Up and Under in Cardiff today! I bought a sleeping bag. The girl in the shop was a bit perturbed at my insistence on minimalist kit. Even Frank and Stealth were a little dubious.

On the drive home we arranged to climb in the evening. We met a little late at 19:00 and headed off to Pavilland. Stealth sat out the climb and Frank and I did The Ring.

We spent too long on it. I finished in half-light and could barely see where to put my feet.

Imagine my horror just as I was topping out when Andy said, "Hey, if we just sling our gear in our bags and run back, we might just make last orders at the Joiners!"

Mad panic! Then a mad dash in failing light across fields of newly mown hay back to the car.

Honestly, I had no idea Andy could drive like Michael Schumaecher! Despite getting caught behind a snail in a Mercedes, we got from Pavilland "carpark" to the Joiners in 15 minutes!

But... we arrived at 23:05 and the landlord slowly shook his head at us!

An alcohol free climbing evening then.

Weird!!