15th February

Today, for the first time in about twenty years, I went rock climbing, and I loved it. I actually went to an artificial indoor climbing wall in Leeds and spent an hour there with an instructor who put me through my paces. He showed me how to tie on and belay another climber and then let me climb about six routes. We started on a gentle slope and then when he saw that I could manage that he moved me on to some more difficult pitches. The adrenalin buzz was awesome as was the sense of accomplishment and I drove home with a grin from ear to ear. I am thoroughly hooked and will be going back next week for another session with the instructor. When he is convinced that I can belay properly and am competent I will be allowed to register as a regular climber and climb without instruction.
It's great! I've always wanted to start climbing again but never managed to get round to it. Now that I am slimmer, lighter and fitter than I have been for some years I wanted to do something with all that fitness other than just keep going to the gym. The climbing is also a a part of the "get out of your chair and do something different philosophy" that I am trying to cultivate within myself. Judging from today's experience I also think that the climbing will lift my fitness to another level.
Later in the evening we went back to the Church Offices to see the Youth Groups Fashion Show. Absolutely stunning display of professionalism and commitment. The aim of the show was to communicate to older generations the different categories that young people fit into; such as "Moshers", "Emos", "Geeks" and so on. They also detailed the different problems like drug and alcohol abuse the young people have to encounter as well. I found it very moving but was really impressed by the quality and character of the young people in our church.