I unexpectedly found myself able to escape the house last Sunday, and wasn’t too knackered after flogging myself silly running around Snowdonia the previous day. Jamie, G and I went up to Birchen, a favourite location of ours, and had a bit of a play around. I’ll confess we barely took any photos so you’ll have to make do with this lovely nut placement G found on either Heave Ho (S 4a) or Sailor’s Crack (S 4a).

We climbed reasonably efficiently compared to our usual antics, and despite my initial misgivings whilst floundering up Trafalgar Crack (VDiff 4a), I later led Sailor’s Problem (VDiff) without any issues, wobbles or hissy fits. By the time of our departure I was feeling pretty confident on rock again; just need to keep it up now over the course of the summer.