Tim Dobson
Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
When Emily stopped by on her Scottish road trip
4 February 2021
When Emily stopped by on her way south from her Scottish road trip, she stopped by. It was very nice to see familiar friends after so long! Bring on post covid! Originally posted on this post on Instagram
A weekend at the Treweryn
4 February 2021
Spending a weekend at the Treweryn, probably my favourite semi natural river in the UK, felt like a jarring break from Covid times. Despite having had no practice for at least 6 months, I handled the upper fine and survived a successful boat chase (RIP Tavi's broken paddle). Suddenly so many people I knew were […]
Kim and Antonio making the most of good weather
4 February 2021
Watching Kim and Antonio make the most of the good weather and watch over them as they practiced their trad climbing was a sight to see. An important final step before setting newbie trad free to lead single pitch routes in their own – watching them as they independently place gear and build belays. Occasionally […]
This is Bella the Collie
3 February 2021
This is Bella the Collie. Bella is not my dog, but when I take her for walks she is so excited. Possibly one of the best behaved dogs I've ever met, she is completely deaf and responds only to hand signals… And balls! Wonderful walk over a classic childhood stomping ground in the summer. Originally […]
A trip to Bagshawe with great company
3 February 2021
This is I described a trip to Bagshawe Cavern where The Caving Crew found a passage we'd never been to before: One Tuesday in the summer, Jonathan and Hazel joined us for the first time, with Alison, Samantha, Judith and me for a trip to Bagshawe Cavern to explore the main series. I know the […]
A summer of home and remote working
3 February 2021
A summer of home working, remote working and hard working. It's amazing that what was an ambitious dream of remote work 5 years ago, is a achievable reality of remote working today. Whether it's "the dream" or simply "an office by a different name" is open to debate! Throwback to some lovely days with Sam […]
Walking past the 20 foot drop at Bagshawe
3 February 2021
Everytime I go to Bagshawe Cavern, we walk past the 20ft hole called "The Dungeon" and wonder what's down there. In the summer, Judith, Kev, Matthew Ashleigh and me stomped down the old show cave to the pitch. I rigged a ladder off the ladder rigging and made a lifeline work off the stretcher-rescue bolts. […]
Fun times at Windgather with Rebecca and Kevin
2 February 2021
Fun memories of times at Windgather with Rebecca and Kellie. When learning to lead trad, it's worth breaking down some of the pieces and practicing them without the stress of feeling high up and at risk of falling. Here, Kellie and Rebecca are practicing building belays and equalising an anchor on one of those hot, […]
When we first met Alison
2 February 2021
When we first met Alison she was somewhat apprehensive how she'd find caving. She'd done quite a lot in the past, at uni, but now… A few years on, how would it feel? Would it feel as scary as first time caving trip? Was our group secretly really hardcore? John was feeling equally apprehensive – […]
A memorable Climbing Clan evening at Castle Naze
2 February 2021
Throwback to a memorable Climbing Clan evening at Castle Naze featuring Bella the dog As I said then:"Well done Samantha on her first outdoor climbs last night with the Clan at Castle Naze Other highlights:' Ryan's first climbs at Castle Naze' Judith seconding the pinnacle' Kirsty leading more routes that I wouldn't manage to' […]
A late night Wapping caving trip
2 February 2021
Throwback to a Wapping late night caving trip in the warmest mine around with Sam. Her request for "something much easier than the last cave" was granted as we visited the large caverns and wished, well, for anyway to cool down. A very warm visit! Originally posted on this post on Instagram
A summers day with long time Clan members
1 February 2021
Throwback to a summers day with long time Climbing Clan members, Rebecca and Kellie, helping them [re]start their first steps safely learning to lead Trad outside. We gently looked at placing nuts – one of the most frequently used and most useful types of trad climbing protection – and a few other types of protection, […]