Final Day (and climbing all day) - with military precision

Yesterday while Nurd and I were walking around Railay we came across a small roadside (well, path side) stall barbequing corn.  A European girl was sampling some of the local fare.  "How is it?," I asked.  It was lunch time and it certainly looked very appetizing.  "It's wonderful," she replies in a British accent.  We bought some and we sat together and talked. 

"Are you a climber." I inquire.  "Yes, but I've been trying to find someone to climb with.  My boyfriend had to return to England for a family emergency."  Turns out Lorna is from Kent, has lived in Thailand for a year and four of those months in Railay.

"Well, as chance would have it, I am a climber and have been looking around for someone to climb with."  Serendipity a little slow in making this connection as I have a day left in Railay.

We met the next morning and spent the whole day climbing (initially on Diamond wall then on 1-2-3).  For someone who has been climbing for less than a year, Lorna's climbing capability combined with her command of the theory is enviable. 

Turns out Lorna is ex British army - having gained her engineering degree then on to leadership training at "...not sure if you've heard of a place called "Sandhurst" she says humbly.  Yep, I have.

Lorna on the crux move leading (successfully) a 6a+ - go girl!

It was great getting to spend the day climbing together.  Shame it is my last day in Railay as it would be nice to have a buddy to climb with and Lorna is good company and it's great to see someone gaining in confidence in their climbing.  She and her boyfriend are doing up a bus in England and due to travel around the UK (and Europe) and learning about sustainability.  Lorna's other passion (and qualification) is as a diver - who spent time in Ko Toa (my next destination) so good to get some insights into that.








"Andrew, when you get to here, put in a quickdraw, OK?"

Weird and wonderful.  I had to abandon a lead on Diamond wall mid climb as I interrupted a group of (around 30) monkeys traversing the face.  Mmmmm....do I climb between the alpha male and the females carrying the children?  Discretion being the better part of valour, I retreated.  Lorna was to comment later that it was a tactical retreat ;0)



Mike leads a 6b with Lorna belaying

Michael (the guy responsible for the junk in the bay  refer to earlier post) rocked up to the 1-2-3 wall to meet us late in the afternoon.  His arm is on the mend and first chance to give it a trial run.  Good to spend some time climbing with Michael; for a guy whose been away from the sport for 5 months, certainly looks like a monkey on the climb. Hopefully Lorna and Michael will get to do some climbing together before she returns home in 2 weeks.

Stay well Lorna and hope you guys come over to NZ some time - if so, drop us a line and we'll get you out to the farm (and to some local rock) .