Sunday 8 March 2009

The Best Weekend of the Year.

Yes without a doubt, CUMC's most recent excursion down south to ex-President Sallykins legendary barndance was by far one of the best trips away I've had this year. The occupants of the bus were Jess, Jamie, Mat, Naomi,Crumbles, Anna, Jonboy, Jack, Lucille and Manon and the trip started off as CUMC trips always do, with alcohol! A hazy fog of a minibus trip later brought us all to Sally's field to set up the tents whilst under the influence. Once this was done, (it did take a while for the girls to set up their huge palace of a tent) we did what CUMC does best, go to the pub! Where we met all our lovely friends, old and new CUMC members as well as a considerable amount of complete randoms. We had many a fine chat and wind up, such as when everyone kept on asking to Andy 'where is Laura?/when is she coming?' or when Rob promised to go dry tool Jamie's bouldering crag. At about one in the morning we stumbled back to our beds, mine cold and lonely; Dave on the other hand had a wonderful nights sleep surrounded by nine young single girls. The sly ol' dog.

The next morning we rose, we packed, we nursed our (mild) hangovers and we jumped into the bus ready for an action packed day of sports clipping at the Cuttings, Portland. After falling asleep for a little while I woke up jumped out of the parking bus and positively ran to the crag. The sun was shining, the weather was awesome and the cliffs were gleaming. Unfortunately in our haste Crumbles and I ran ahead of the group, thinking that Jonboy was following up the rear to show the stragglers where to go. Alas he went for a coffee with his missus instead and when the girls (and Jack) finally found us twenty minutes later they were not happy bunch of girlies they so usually are. Jamie had to apologize a fair bit for that blunder. But nevermind, the weather was good, so good in fact that Ella just had to strip to her bra just as our other lovely friends, Becca Ed and Lois rounded the corner, also followed by Azeem, Jack and Wil.

Spurred on by Crumbles bouncy bouncy bouncy enthusiasm Jamie and Crumbly hit the rock, not bothering with a guidebook and soon had ticked off an impressive collection of climbs which by the end of the day had amounted to:

Sting in the Tail F5+
Sunny Days F3
Juggernaut F5
Rock Lobster F4+
Amazonia F4+
The Great Hamburger Disaster F4+ *
Definitely Maybe F6a+ *
Little Chef F5+ *
The Sod F5+ *

The others were gunning just as hard, except for mat, who managed to go off route on very other route (apparently following the bolts isn't as straightforward as it looks) and then getting stuck on 4+ looking for the 'hidden hold ' that wasn't actually there. Becca had 'fun' learning how to thread the clips at the top, all the while wondering if she was going to do something wrong and plummet thud on her smiling but a little bit cold belayer of Lois. Ella lead a 2+ but I can't remember if she liked it or not. Jamie tried a 6a+ but then had to back off after getting tired, then crumbles lead it with one fall, so Jamie went back and lead it with one fall, so then Jonboy went and lead it with one fall and being unable to resist, Wil also lead it, falling once. what a stupid route! However round the corner The Sod proved to be brilliant, long and reachy moves up a gorgeous corner. Alas, Jamie did also have to contend with the marital abuse being spouted by his so called hussy of a spouse who called him every name under the sun. That bloody women!

Suddenly, it got cold, and I mean real cold, like I couldn't just wear a T-Shirt anymore, that cold. Brrr. so we went to the Tea room instead and Jack entertained us all with some very funny funny jokes, whilst Wil ate a chocolate fudge cake. With aching legs we returned back to camp to get ready for the barndance. By now over a 150 people had amassed at the field to send their celebration to sallykins. Faces old and new graced the busy field. The girls hid in the tent and car 'putting make up on' whilst the boys got cracking on what CUMC boys do best (can you guess it?) The barn, thanks to a lot of help from a lot of people, looked amazing but even more amazing was the whole hog being roasted by Dr Patterson which ultimately fed the entire ensemble of party goers later that night. We drank and we drank and we drank and then we finished our drink and so had to go get another one. Then the barn dancing music came on and everyone grabbed a partner and do-si-doed we did. (apologizes for speaking in generalities at this point but the mind is blank through alcohol abuse) I remember dancing with Nikki, Louise, Maddy and Ella, I think. Anyway the band were awesome. followed by another stirling performance from Sallys ex-flat mates who also played. Then the clubbing music came down proper, biggest Kudos have to go to Maddy and Rob Stitch for their insane dancing throughout the night. Also to Wil and some other people who I didn't know who provided amazing entertainment with fire poi and fire staff.

The night ends in a haze but the morning erupts with the biggest, most thumping headache ever devised by those nasty alcoholic drinks. Even simultaneously swallowing four painkillers (its ok says the medics) has no effect. It looks set to rain down south, it looks set to rain up north. After a bit of controversy we say goodbye to everyone at the campsite and with the new edition of Aliaksei we head to Cheddar Gorge in hope of finding some climbing. However it rains, then snows, on us so instead we are forced to go for a quick walk up and down the gorge, admiring the towering faces and awesome looking sports clippings as well as gravity defying sheep (actually there is a clear case of vertical delineation here, and thus it was probably a Shoop not a sheep we saw). Reluctantly we hopped back into the bus and headed home to Cardiff, abusing Jess on the way playing the yellow car game. *Nostalgic Sigh*

It was indeed a truly stunning weekend away.

1 comment:

mat.larkins said...
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