On Sunday evening I think it was, the evening I’d done humanality with Dave and Mhairi my mobile got a text from my brother Matthew. He told me that my Great Aunt Alessina had died on Saturday. Really made me sad, I’d been so excited to see her again (she was 95 years old and sharp as a pin until very recently). Alessina was one of my 3 postcard regulars and I found one from Chiang Mai that I’d forgotten to post her in the bottom of my bag.

Matt told me the funeral was to be on Thursday, so I thought I had lots of time, then on Monday morning I got another text to tell me it was on Wednesday. My tickets were fairly flexible to I decided to see if I could get home in time.

I would never have made it except for Dave Aubrey. He very very kindly gave me his ticket from Krabi up to Bangkok and there’s no way I could have made it otherwise. Monday was the kings birthday in Thailand, so every flight was full.

But I got up to Bkk, and across to Ireland by Tuesday afternoon.

It was an odd feeling flying back to Dublin. I’ve been so looking forward to seeing family and friends (my sister in law had twins that I’ve never seen – and my sister had a new daughter!). Alessina passing on was sad, but she passed on peacefully, and had the most interesting and wonderful life. I shall relate one story that Sue (Alessinas daughter) said at the mass.

Alessina and Charles had recently moved back from England to Ireland (this was in the 1950s I suppose). They were living in the country – in Wicklow – South of Dublin. They’d not been there very long when they received a letter through the postbox with words to the effect of ‘Brits Out’. Insead of getting angry or anything (Charles was Irish after all – and grandparents too I think).. Alessina embarked on a different way to win the hearts of the locals.

She baked a *very* alcoholic pudding. The top layer was a green jelly (vodka jelly?!?), the middle layer was creamy, and the bottom an orange colour – biscuit perhaps, not sure). She called it Patriotic Pudding. And won top prize.

That was her, in a nutshell – an amazing amazing lady. This pic is from a 1950s fashion magazine – Teresa who is Alessinas eldest is 17 and wearing a dress she made, Alessina is the lady sitting down. I will really miss her.

Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life,
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of achievement
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of
happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.

Had a really enjoyable rest-of-the time climbing at Rai Lay. Philipp clocked up a 7a+ (or was it 7b) to his name.. and Nicole was climbing pretty hard as well (though unfortunately knocked out with some sort of food disagreement somewhat.

I was really happy that Mhairi was climbing so well – and really enjoying the outdoor climbing. I was even happy (well, mostly) that she was climbing better + pushing herself harder than me. She was leading 6a+ solidly after 2 weeks, and I wish I could have said the same! but it was great fun.

The best climb we did was thanks to Dave, and it was just awesome climbing. The route was called Humanality. 5 pitches or so, 5,6a+,6b,6b+,6b. You end up 100m (vertical) above the beach. It’s quite exciting. There are some awesome pitches. Really, it was a total highlight.

I think the line in red shows roughly where the route went.

Those two pics are of Dave, one of him leading the 6a+ route.

The feeling when we got to the top was something else, 100m up, one pic is of Dave and I, the other of Mhairi’s leg looking straight down from the top (perhaps not a good pic to look at if you get vertigo!)

And all too soon (well, sooner than expected) it was time to head home to Dublin for Christmas (2 years 1 month away from home). I had an amazing holiday with the folk from New Zealand (and Germany!), but by far and away the best thing about the 4 months of travel was Mhairi. She’s great (even if she does climb harder than me)

Slightly lost track of time here, easy to do really. Have had a really fun time so far though. Quick flights down from Chiang Mai to Bkk and on down to Krabi (I’m too lazy to get the bus ;)

So boarded a longtail boat from Ao Nang to bring me across to Tonsai to meet the others from NZ for dinner. After wading through mud up to my knees and getting unbelieveably hot (it’s hot down here) it wasn’t quite the entrance I was hoping for.

After washing my feet with a toilet power-hose thing I set off to find the others at Lisa’s Restraunt. It doesn’t exist. I was beginning to feel like my entrance, let alone any chance of meeting the others for a well deserved pint was slipping away!.. hehe, however, someone said there was a Tina’s so maybe I should try that – and after finding a room and having a shower I did, and it was lovely to see the gang from NZ (Steve & Yvonne, Warick, Michelle, Glynn, Dave – and Philipp from Ireland (well, Germany really))

Spent the first few days falling off routes (still am). It’s funny – after 3 months of travel – well almost 4 really, I’m horribly unfit – particularly climbing unfit. That said, it has been fun, and I am making slow progress, though still not leading much.

We took a boat to Phi Phi to check out the climbing there.

That evening though we got into the Phi Phi swing of things, heading out for dinner and then a few (quite a few) buckets (rum & coke mainly), not a huge amount of climbing was done the next morning by those of us who went out for a few wee drams.. and I even stopped early ;)

Next morning headed kayaking with Warick though he wasn’t feeling the best (food poisoning we think), and a little snorkelling before back to Tonsai.

The next morning headed for a few climbs, and then Mhairi arrived down (after 33hours on buses (with 10 hours break in Bkk)).. and then took her up a lovely climb called Groove Tube – 6a (well, a 5 really).. and then we all headed out for dinner, it was Glynn and Yvonnes last night.

Pic on left is of Glynn (triangle man) and on the right is Philipp on a lovely 6a+ called Fit to be Thaid

Other than that, well, it’s been climbing and resting really. I was knocked out for a day with some nasty bug or something evil that was going round.. still, I guess I’ve been lucky to survive this long without a bad stomach…

Nicole – Tills girlfriend arrived yesterday, pic of Mhairi and Nicole on the beach..

There was also this amazing storm (well, thunder + clouds) which rolled in ..

Not sure how much else I’ll get written up before being back in Ireland (which I’m really *really*) looking forward to.. canna wait to see my new nieces and nephew!

So, into Rai Lay and met up with Glynn + Michelle + Warick + Steve & Yvonne + Dave + Philipp, and have spent the last while climbing and snorkeling and generally having fun… no pics as yet, far too expensive to use the internet here – and climbing to be done!

Currently on Ko Phi Phi island, quite nice crag, but way touristey..

Firstly, two video’s from our trek in Laos. One of the weird football/volleyball game and the other of Mhairi playing with the kids
Had a nice wander around Chiang Mai today, taking in Wat Chedi Luang. The ruin is of a chedi (big pillary templey thingy) which used to be 86m tall (built in 1401 but destroyed in an earthquake in 1545).

And also Wat Chiang Man, the oldest Wat in Chiang Mai (built in 1296). This pic from an adjoining building which houses a tiny crystal Buddha (1800 years old) and a stone Buddha from India (2500 years ago – though another guide book says no statues were produced before 2000 years ago so who knows).

After that had a quick trip out to the culture museum where we learned about some of the hill tribes (which Mhairi is going to visit over the next few days). Looks like it could be an interesting trip!

Then off to a cooking course – just an evening one I’d have enjoyed a 3 day one like my bro + Helene when they were here.. but hey.. can’t do everyfink. Still, made Pad Thai, Tom Yam Gung (Prawn soup), Green Curry and Stir Fried Morning Glory (like spinach).