Wrekin M.C. Trip to Cornwall 2nd - 4th May

It started with a phone call on Monday night. I’d decided that Cornwall was a long way to drive, especially for only three days. So we (Me, Claire and Toaf) were going to head to Pembrokeshire instead. Stewie rang and started with “so you're coming to Cornwall this weekend?” I retorted “it’s a long way to drive…” and was swiftly cut off. “You missunderstand mate, that wasn’t question, it was a statement. You’re coming to Cornwall. Anyway the granite is brilliant, you’ll love it”. That was it. We were going to Cornwall.

We headed down on the Friday night, late to avoid traffic. Later than we hoped as it turned out as Claire got caught up. Anyway off for 2015 ish with one stop (at which some nice dude gave us another 4 beers in the service station car park) and arrived at about 0100 ish. Just under 5 hours isn’t bad at all, but the drive down was tiring with idiot drivers a some creepy fog to contend with, and Claire's sarcasm. "Its called gravity dumbass!" was the response I got when I complained that the car was slowing whilst going up hill. We were in bed by 2am.

Bed for 2am only to woken by a bout of tent shaking at 0630 by Uncle Rob. I got up much to Claires annoyance to wake up everyone else and to get a brew on. Eventually everyone surfaced and we had a big communal breakfast and a plan for the day. Carn Barra was chosen as it was a little out of the way.

Well Carn Barra was a no go, we got there abseiled in and then the ocean decided not to play. Massive waves crashed all around Stewie and Toaf who hurriedly climbed out. I think we where all surprised to see that they'd escaped a soaking! After blowing our early start we headed for Senne Cove. Choice crag for every uni m.c. in the area.

Sennen Cove was actually quiet, well the good climbing area was anyway. We managed to avoid the mountaineering clubs quite well. Me, Claire and Sal bombed up a slab on the broken ground. Toaf & Mick headed up Dolphin cracks (HVS 5a) whilst Rob & Stewie did Hayloft (VS 4c). At the bags, Toaf and Stewie dissappeared off to do another route. Me & Rob nipped up Slim (VS 5a). For my first granite route I enjoyed it. It was different climbing to other rock types, but not in a bad way. Claire had taken Robs rack and done either Juniors or Senious route (VD) with Sal. I think Robs rack was abit of a shock to her, she's wasn't impressed. Stewie and Toaf had still not returned at this point, but not to worry. Me and Sal did Monday Face (VS 4c). Guide said it was lacking in gear. This wasn't the case and I sewed it up, hooking chicken head the finish. The climbing was also awesome, probably the best route of the weekend. Stewie and Toaf finally returned, with Rob in tow after doing Dolphin Cracks again and Slanting Cracks (HVS 5a). As the final route of the day, me and Claire snuck off to do The Quaker (E1 5c). I decked before the first peice of gear, but claire physically caught me (thank god) and then went on to lead it. Its a great route.

A good meal and a night of drinking followed in the local pub. Doom bar, Honey and Tipple where the drinks of choice. Stewie also javalined a plastic tube at me after me and rob used 4 12ft poles to fence with (obviously a bad idea!). The two gay barmen provided much amusement!. Eventualy it whilttled away to me, Rob and Stewie. Toaf walked the wrong way home drunk!. And there was some clapping sounds in the night (for those who know). Another early start and we'd decided on Bosigran today. May as well tick off both the popular locations in one trip right?. I for one was very hungover.

Me, Toaf and Mick did Trapeze (HVS 5a), Claire and Sal went up Inbetween (VD) and Stewie and Rob did Anvil Chorus (VS 4c). When we got down, me and Mick roped togethet and tied off some coils and followed Toaf as he soloed up Inbetween (VD) and Big Top (VD). We just moved together. Coming down I chewed down some painkillers and rested in the sun. Me, Toaf and Mick then did Anvil chorus (with ledge climb as a start). We climbed as fast as we could to get ahead of the slow uni groups, then had some interesting ropework. I've never seen so many people on a cliff. Stewie and Rob did Trapeze whilst Claire and Sal did . Once down I geared up for Visions of Johanna (E1 5b). What a great route! Toaf and Claire came up this and we finished up Little Brown Jug (VS 5a). The first pitch was great slabby climbing on untrustworthy gear.

Me and Stewie then looked for another hard climb, but after backing of Thin Wall special (E1 5b) (Bad juju) and heading up Bow wall (E2 5c) (anf backing off again) thinking it was doorpost (HS) I was done for the day. So was everyone else so we headed back for some much needed food.

Everyone headed to the pub bar me, Toaf and Claire who wanted to cook. But me and Toaf headed down later for some late night drinking. There were no clapping sounds this night. The morning rolled around and everyone seemed a little subdued. The weather had become overcast so Stewie and Rob headed home. Me, Claire, Mick, Toaf and Sal wen back to Sennon Cove. Seemed like a good idea. Toaf did The Quaker with mick seconding, while me and Sal did Corner Crack (HS 4c). After a big guide book consult Me, Claire and Sal picked Slippery Slab to do, we ab'd in and made our way to the bottom. Tradition of sea cliff climbing with me and Claire is that we always get wet by the sea. Tradtion followed and all three of us ended up with wet legs. Quick climbing prevailed and we did Slippery Chute (VS 4c) instead. This seemed fitting end to our Cornwall trip.

We headed back to the cars then went questing for pasties and ice cream before hitting to long drive home. 5 and a half hours later we where back in b'ham (after cooking up noodles in the service station car park, much to Toaf dismay)
(Photos by Claire, Me and Toaf)