Not without precedent did the MMC climbing activities bifurcate at Easter.  The traditional (in all senses ) climbers headed west to the end of the Kingdom in Cornwall where the Atlantic rollers crash against the granite headlands. 

Meanwhile a plucky octet drove through the bible black Picardie nigh to the magical Forest of Fontainebleau. This consisted of Simon, Damien and Satish in Alistair’s shiny new MysteryMachine van and Nick, Oli, Damon (new guy) with Andrew.

The route to the La Musardiere camping is a well-trodden MMC path even down to the same area of the campsite so the 5 veteran bleausards were well versed in showing the three debutants the lack of ropes.

In years past there have been multiple incidents accidents and embarrassments and it is to our regret that no journal was ever kept of these but to disappoint the reader it must be said that this trip went off without a hitch.  No missing gear, forgotten passports, breaking of campsite rules or doing extra loops of the peripherique in the middle of the night.  Nope, the habitues had seen it all, done it all and now in their grizzled dotage managed to avoid it all, apart from Nick who twisted his ankle on the Friday and so was hors de combat for the rest of the trip.

For the able-bodied climbing unfolded at the familiar venues of Roche au Sabots, Rocher Guichot, Canche Aux Merciers and a final fling on Sunday morning at Bas Cuvier. Food was cooked and beer was drunk and everyone had a good time.

by Nick Kemp