29th May

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Well for me it was yesterday. It was Bank Holiday Monday and once again Mary and Lucy were in work, the weather forecast was not good, I didn't fancy any of the films showing in the cinema, so what to do with myself?
For the first time in my life I went "bouldering" at the artificial climbing wall in Leeds. Bouldering is climbing but without ropes and harnesses and rather than climb a 40ft pitch you never get more than 12 ft off the ground. "The Wall" has a few bouldering areas which are big, round areas of rock about 15 ft high with lots of hand holds and a big foam crash mat on the floor, so that if you fall you have a soft landing. The idea is that you work on short areas of climbing which are technically quite difficult, but the experience strengthens your arms and increases your confidence in your ability to overcome some severe problems. As it was my first time I had to rely on what I had seen others do and stick to stuff that was not too extreme, but I enjoyed it and had a good work out, my hands and arms are still a bit stiff today. As well as doing a number of easier manouvres on rock where there were good holds I also struggled with a difficult climb which involved an overhang. I managed about three of the more difficult moves before falling off. I was quite pleased with myself until I saw a boy of about 13 years of age scamper up the climb and negotiate my three moves as if they were hardly there. Was he really that good or am I really that bad ? Anyway, I still enjoyed it and will probably go again in the near future.