Kalymnos Resole

Spending a while with someone that has known me a long time has its advantages. The last few days have been spent with Di Gilbert. We’ve known each other for many years and its been good to spend some time together again. We said goodbye this morning with a hug and that famous ‘Giblet’ smile :) I know that I’m a little out of sorts, have been for a while I suppose, but it gets forced home when someone you know, or more to the point, knows you, tells you that you're not right, you’ve lost your mojo, you’re in a strange place......No mans land. Acknowledging the fact that something is wrong is half the battle, and I do accept that. Finding out what it is that’s causing my loss of ‘sparkle’ is a different thing. At least its good to have friends that feel comfortable enough to tell you!  Di has never been one to hold back!! I really didn’t expect to be in this position right now, single again, in a different country and away from family and friends. What part h...

And it is July 2018. I’m travelling and climbing with an old, good friend, Di Gilbert. I love her, she’s ace, she doesn't mince her words and shoots from the hip! We’ve been friends for years and climbed together often in the past. Obviously our paths have gone in hugely different directions over the last few years, hers to big mountains in the greater ranges, and mine to sunny crags and foreign climbs! (Sic) We spent a grand couple of days in The Lakes, staying with Doctor Clair, a friend of Di’s and a huge thanks to her and her friends (special mention to Alex) for their hospitality. Much appreciated. Good days were had at White Ghyll and Shepherds crag. Now we’re staying with Catrin in North Wales, near Llanberis. Cat is one of Di’s best and longest friends, and I can see why. She too is ace :) After 5 or 6 days together, and 4 days climbing, its clear that the dynamic we used to have has changed a little.... I’m not 100% certain why, but I have an idea. We...

They say you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family... That's very true. I'm lucky, I wouldn't wish to change any of my family. With friends you can choose to accept them as they are and live with their negatives to enjoy their positives... Occasionally friends show us a side of them that we really don't need and can do without. We lose patience sometimes and the negative energy, hassle and aggrovation just needs to be removed. This year things have changed enough for me to realise who I need and who I don't. Who I want around me and who I can let go. Maybe the changes in my life and my mind set have left me a little less willing to put up with people that demonstrate a selfish lack of understanding and empathy, that are friends in name only and conspicuous by their absence in times of need? My view of 'friends' like these has been adjusted, accepted, and the changes to our friendship duly noted... It also possible that my ey...