On the Hill

That's right I am on The Hill, not to be confused with over the hill!

Well it begins, my trip of a lifetime. So far after 2 days all seems to be going well. I eventually arrived here late on Tuesday night after 24 hrs of travel. It is funny crossing time zones, it is like being in a time machine, not as bad as going to Oz, but quite confusing to the old body clock none the less.

I flew the KLM/North East airlines, and they were great as usual. None of your Easy jet/Ryan air nonsense. My luggage was 1.5kg over the 23kg limit, did they charge me millons of £'s per gram, No, they just stuck a orange heavy sticker on it. Did they mind that I had more than one piece of hand luggage, No, they did not bat an eyelid. I also got a very tasty gluten free meal at no extra charge. I love going long haul.

Anyway, negotiated planes, immigration and buses and reached Boulder International Hostel in one piece. I have now moved to my long stay room just around the corner today, which apart from a dubious stain on the carpet is very nice. Hopefully now that I am settled i will be able to start organising my climbing. I have only managed to get out once climbing so far, last night, when Sarah's house sharing person drove us up to Flagstaff. We had a pleasant session, that was quite short but long enough on very rough sandstone. It was good to be outside. It is however very hot here so need to find some shady areas.

So what have I been doing? Well I started with the essentials so bought my boulder mat, got new sim card for phone, which was more tricky than I imagined it would be, bought a guide book and checked out the area.

Boulder seems to be a nice town, but quite expensive and full of "beautiful people". I am living right in the centre of student ville, so seem to be the oldest by quite a margin, but everyone seems friendly enough. I met up with Matt today to see if he could give me the low down on stuff and he was very helpful and has given some hints on what to expect etc.

What I have learnt so far;

1) I think I need a set of wheels, it seems to be quite difficult to get around to places without transport.

2) I should have packed shorts.

3) £10 on a UK mobile does not give you very long when trying to activate a US sim card.

4) What seems like not very much in the way of belongings when laid out on your living room floor is in actual fact a lot when you have to lug it around in the heat.

Other than that all good, I think it will take time just to get fully adjusted and organised but that is what makes the adventure an adventure.

View from my room looking up 14th street

View from my room looking towards the Flatirons

Home from home

My new Mad Rock Hera mat

All photos by Caroline Harvey

Time. It's a funny old game...

View looking North Westish

It has been quite a strange old week and it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. I have been catching up and saying goodbyes to many friends this week and the time has flown by so quickly that I can't quite believe that I am off tomorrow. I seem to have been organising "stuff" for an age and now it is time to go on my big journey. This weekend I had a wee last drink session with many good friends, which was great fun, although I am not sure I managed to chat to everyone properly, but a big thank you to all who could make it out. At present I have no photos from the evening, but i might get some. I went for a very windy walk up Arthurs Seat on Saturday with Emma and Diff, which was great as it gave me a chance to look at my city for the last time in a while. It is a great city, but it is time to take a break from its old walls and road works. I took a few photos with my point and shoot as you get great views, when the weather is clear. Many memories spread across the city.

My bag is finally packed, with thanks to my Mum who folded my clothes properly so they all fit, my cupboards are bare and I have less than 24 hours connection to my broadband and electricity. Am I prepared? I will keep you posted on that one.

Goodbye Scotland. Hello USA.

View to Leith and Firth of Forth

Queenies wee hoose and garden

The lions head

Views to the East

Wind swept. We weren't sure about the interesting.

All photos by Caroline Harvey

My bag is not a Tardis

Well, it has been a long time in the planning, or at least it feels like it. Maybe I have just been talking about it for longer, who knows, anyway there is only 8 days left until I leave for my big trip to the States and Canada.

Am I prepared? I think so. I have done all the big important things anyway. I have my plane ticket, I have sorted all things to do with my flat and my car, I have organised bank stuff etc etc. I am however still trying to pack my bag, it is a very difficult task and I am having to make very tough choices over very small things. I know it is a girly thing because these huge dilemmas are over clothes, socks and pants. Don't get me started on shoes, I have finally made my peace with that one and know that I can only take trainers, climbing shoes and flip flops. It is a crazy situation as it has taken less thought on bigger decisions in my life, now it is taking me days of looking at and swapping around bundles of tee shirts, socks and knickers. Ok, I admit that I think I am a bit OCD about having at least a fortnights worth of clean socks and underwear, but I am getting all precious over everything else, and I know from previous experience I will wear the same things for days on end and that I can buy new things if I need them, but it is a tricky one.

This is what I have laid out about half and hour ago, it has since changed again. This little pile does not even include my climbing shoes, camera stuff, toilet bag....... and I am sure there is probably one very important thing that I am missing, but can't think what.

Nevermind, will go re-pack again and see where I can save more space. Maybe I only need 1 jumper!

The next J K

13th August 2009 was a very special occasion as it was the launch night of my very good friend, Hazel Allan's, first book. The book is a children's novel called "Bree McCready and the half heart locket"

I am not a wordsmith like Hazel, so find it hard to articulate how happy and proud it made me to be there and to take photographs of this amazing night.

Hopefully this will be the first of many novels and Bree will be as big and famous as JK's Harry!

Go buy it now

All photos by Caroline Harvey