No rain in Spain

Some things have changed but many are the same; there are no leaves, the sky is clear and brighter, the air still smells of shit (fertilizer), the resident kitten is now a cat, in the park a new donkey statue now stands, my running shoes are more worn and thankfully the circuit around the lake is certainly much easier. Coco still fits the same swimming costume but she is much heavier. Cell still greets us every day with her happy smile and the merry-go-round still goes around and around and around to the same tune for one euro.

We’ve headed back to Spain partly to escape the torrential rain which still continues to hammer the Blue Mountains but more so just to be climbing the incredible limestone on offer here in Catalunya. The atmosphere is electric and super inspiring with big names dispatching Oliana’s test pieces in rapid fire. Daila Ojeda sent Mind Control (8c+) just before our arrival. Her ascent has smashed the aura of the route and paved the way for other women to think it possible to also climb it. Already it has seen two more female ascents and there are others waiting in the wings to give it a shot. Daila has also sent her nemesis El Gran Blau (8b/+) and Joe Kinder has bolted a direct start which should weigh in at 8c+. Colette McInerney smashed her project Mon Dieu (8a+) in slick style after vowing to try harder, you go girl! Add Adam Ondra et al to the mix and things are really spicy and just when you’d think the line-up complete, enter; Sam Elias, hot chickee babe Sasha DiGiulian, Keith Ladzinski and Andrew Mann. With such a colossal scene and super superb conditions I’m itching to see what unfolds.

As for me, first up, I’m throwing myself at Fish Eye (8c), trying to wrap up some unfinished business from last year. I’m psyched. I reached a highpoint a few days ago, so that’s progress indeed. Unfortunately I’ve gone backwards since then as the dryness has caused my fingers to explode along fault lines like sausages in a frying pan. It’s been a mixed blessing getting back on such a hard route. On the one hand it’s been encouraging doing moves which I struggled with previously, but on the other hand, despite all of my training, it’s been tough regaining the route fitness which I had over three months ago.