Kalymnos Resole

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...

I see her every now and then. She’s usually happy, all smiles and big hair. Once or twice we’ve actually passed on the scooters and exchanged a greeting and a smile. I try to casually dismiss it, but inside.....inside it’s there. Still. Time will fix things, I know. But......... I miss my best friend. My constant. I miss the fun we had together. I miss those eyes. I miss that walk! I miss scooter hugs. I miss the walks and talks to and from the crags. I miss the silly giggles and laughs. I miss the worrying! I miss the caring, and caring for. I miss the reliability. I miss the knowledge. I miss the energy. I miss the love. I miss her. I’m so angry at times. So disappointed in myself.. I know what I didn't do for her. I’m not sure what I did do for her? I know what I sacrificed to try and make this work. I know the people I sacrificed and hurt to try and make this work. I don’t think she believes or understands that. How we both tried. What we both tried....

It’s been a beautiful day. Again. I spent it at Odyssey sector. It was pleasantly busy there today, not crazy like it often is this time of year... Ron Fawcett was there, Basher Atkinson, Rory, Paul, The American Climbing collage guys were there too. Conditions were awful, high humidity last night had left the rock greasy and dark. Today is April the 24th. I’ve seen folks in the sea swimming, looks like the winters warm southerly winds have kept the sea temperature reasonable. On this day last year I went for a 30 second swim and came out numb! I went to work for a couple of hours after climbing. It’s been very quiet on the shoe front, in fact I think in general, numbers are down, you can see it in the restaurants in the evenings, and on the crags during the day. Currently I’m available by direct contact only, or via those bars and shops that know me and let me know if people have been looking for a resole. It’s fair to say I miss having a shop front and I’m certain I would ...

My heart's not in it right now... not in anything. I realise I'm a little 'down'. It's not a good time at the moment. Thankfully the sun is shining and there is real warmth to cheer me up. I'm going to have a moan, putting it in black and white is cathartic, so here goes. Work. It's lacking methods and processes. The ones I had in my old workshop were great and worked well, now there's no rhythm, no flow. Its a fine little workshop and once things settle I'm sure I'll get organised again. The grinder motor is on it's last legs and sounds like a bag of spanners in a washing machine! It was crazy noisy, I thought it was going to explode this morning. There's a new motor on the way. I've made a couple of enquires into a new 'shop window' for the resole, and I have had two really kind offers from friends with bars.... I could drown my sorrows in red wine while I wait for shoes..... Something tells me that's not the...

Leonidio. A lovely small town in the beautiful Peloponnese, surrounded by lush green hills and deep red rock, all a few hours easy driving from Athens. We stayed in the excellent Hotel Hatsipanayotis in the upper centre of town, right on the main street. A great place with really good staff, I'd happily stay there again next time. The town is small, with a dry river splitting it roughly in half and a good sized parking area to keep the car clutter on the main street to a minimum. A couple of places to eat in the evening and several smaller coffee bars and tavernas make for a very pretty and peaceful town. We found Kaba restaurant excellent and good value, though hard to find as its disguised itself a bit like an old shed from the outside, but cool and rustic on the inside. The town feels nice, the locals are warm, friendly and very helpful and there are a few varied stores for supplies here and there along the main road. We liked it a lot. Evenings were quiet and cool, though Pa...