Poor Salted Mackerel has suffered a distinct lack of attention from its creator over the past few months, for a variety of reasons. The excitement and workload of a new business in development seems to have caused a degree of Mackerel apathy, not to mention a distinct lack of time on the bikes. Not only that – I have been away in the far reaches of the Antipodes for the past five weeks, responsibilities (for subjects other than squid fishing and book reading) left gathering dust amidst the piles of unopened letters, and the carnage of a trapped squirrel (who managed to gain entry to my living room by descent of the north-east chimney) unnoticed until yesterday. Hmmm…
Anyway, hopefully Salted Mackerel will cease languishing quite so lazily in 2012, and also develop in some directions that I had not planned when it was first envisaged.
Twitter chum Nick wrote eloquently (and in his inimitable style) about the things he learned in 2011 on the blog of his soon-to-be-launched company Vulpine. In contrast, I thought I would put together a scrap book / heap of things and ideas that I hope to put into action over the coming months.
First off, the new business. Not a Bad Dad, launching (hopefully) in the next couple of months. More on that another time…
The house – despite the efforts of the aforementioned squirrel, the newly painted downstairs does look very good and hopefully I can get the rest of the place finished in the next few months. Should have some more pics up soon.
Climbing rocks. My climbing gear has been sitting in a massive box in the garage since I moved in nearly 3 years ago and I’ve not tied onto a rope for at least 5. This is going to change in 2012. I think a re-acquaintance with Peak gritstone will be the first tick, followed by some Cornish granite, and maybe even a visit to my trad nemesis, the Swanage sea cliffs. All this with the aim of progressing (before too long) to some foreign rock – maybe a sport climbing holiday somewhere baby friendly, and possibly a visit to the States – Red Rocks, or Yosemite or Zion…?
Cycling. Thanks to an idle past few months I think 2012 isn’t going to be my greatest astride a saddle, but I intend to fit in some decent mountain biking – Snowdon again hopefully – and some road riding on foreign tarmac. A few days in the Alps would be excellent, and maybe I can escape to the Italian lakes at some point too. No major sportives planned though, and any racing ambitions have been placed very firmly on ice.
Add to that the Continuing Adventures of Sibylla, the small matter of a wedding in September, and that lot should keep me pretty busy…
Fingers crossed.
And now some videos to help with the syke [sic]…
Jenn Flemming – The “R” Series from DPM CLIMBING on Vimeo.
Enzo Oddo Sends La Rambla 9a+ (5.15a) at Siurana Spain (video) from Prana Living on Vimeo.
Sonnie Trotter, Master Blaster, 5.13c/d from Sonnie Trotter on Vimeo.
Patagonia ’10 – Round One from Pete Rhodes on Vimeo.
Australia Climbing Adventure_THE MUSICAL_Total Eclipse from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.
Boogie ’til You Poop from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.
