Coffee, Beer, Masterchef, Foosball, UFC, Sleep overs, and a little bit of bouldering

Ok, so this is a little late, but I've finally found the time and concentration ability to write a blog report. So, first thing first, some of you haven't heard from me for a while. Up until about 2 months ago, I was suffering from 50hr work weeks, very little sleep, and no climbing due to a chronic back injury that had me out of action since october last year. But things are now back on track and I've been quickly regaining some form, getting out on the boulders and having a good time.

A big weekend of action was had Queens birthday long weekend, where a whole crew crashed Arnies pad in Ararat for the the 3 day. Up to 10 people made themselves welcome to Simons hospitality, eating his food, drinking his coffee and wine, and respectfully throwing games of foosball to boost his already belated ego! It was also Joshs' birthday on the Saturday, so many drinks were had on the Friday night.

The Saturday found us in Andersons mucking about. Simon and the Raven both did Mexican Delight V9 quickly, and did Josh for the 3rd or 4th time. I still struggled. Philby put up a new problem he dubbed Hot Mama Vibes V6 which Raven and I flashed. It was hard enough for Simon to need a few attempts, while Joshy boy failed to haul himself up it, proclaiming once again that 'bouldering is shit'. Phil also smashed out Gasoline V8 later that day, while Josh and I (again, for the umpteenth time) fell off the top of Gripmaster V10.














Left: Pete 'The Raven' flashing Hot Mama Vibes V6.









Sunday was a late start of coffee and watching guys smash one another in the UFC. The highlight was Dan Henderson 'shutting up' Brit Michael Bisping in brutal style.




Later we headed to Hollow Mtn Cave where it was probably about 12:30pm before we started climbing. Josh and I tried American Pie V10 both with not much success. Joshy fell off the last moves of Ogre Thumb V9 and we both got fell off the end of The Devils Councilor V7. Not a good day for us.


















Right: Alister knee scumming to no avail on The Devils Coulcilor V7.








Monday a slightly smaller crew head out in search of new boulders around Halls Gap. Pointed in the direction of an area dubbed 'Valley Of The Gods' we found ourselves in a jumble of house sized boulders of top quality. Warming up on some of the sweet highball faces, I went in search of some steeper lines. The 2 awesome bulges I found, brushed and and chalked quite quickly became too hard, and the more experienced duo of Simon and The Raven were called in. Simon sent them both, first with Village Of The Damned V9 and then unleashing the Old Man Power on Valley Of The Wads V11. Very impressive FA's.








Left: Arnie on the FA of Valley Of The Wads V11









Then it was time to high tail it back to Melbourne, stopping in Halls Gap for hot dogs and milkshakes, a quick play on the swing set, chasing butterflys, and a sad farewell to our man Omar, who was on a plane the next day back to work in WA for the next few months.

So a great weekend, hanging out with mates, having a laugh, a bit of climbing and heaps of fun.





Oh, and Arnie and I were both in agreeance while watching Masterchef on the Sunday night that it was hardly worth watching since Fiona got knocked out. She's smart (she has to be as a teacher), is hot, and can obioulsy cook! I want me one!






- TheBigAl