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Ater a recent trip to the Peak I was in one of the pubs in Hathersage and talk turned to local legend (yes, legend) Ron Fawcett. I got to thinking how cool it must be to see (climbing or otherwise) a hero.
So come on then you must have tales of hero encounters - let's hear them.
So come on then you must have tales of hero encounters - let's hear them.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Ron stood on my fingers once. He was very nice about it but in a bit of a hurry. Think it was during his Stanage traverse.
Ron stood on my fingers once. He was very nice about it but in a bit of a hurry. Think it was during his Stanage traverse.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Not a climbing hero but an on screen inspiration ( does that count ? ) , I literally bumped into Morgan Freeman on Madison Avenue (Manhattan,NYC) in pooring rain he was at a crossing waiting the walk sign , I was rushing to beat the traffic got to the sidewalk looked up to see this old kind looking dude in a wax jacket & wide brimmed leather hat smiling at me .
Stunned I said something a bit goofy like "wow you're my favourite actor!"
he replied " why thank you son " whilst smiling a sincere smile . It made my week 80) .
I've also had good long conversations with Chuck D (Public Enemy) , Professor Griff (Public Enemy) , KRS ONE , Method Man & quite a few other famous Musicians & actors .
I've slung a few cricket balls towards Ian Botham , Vivian Richards & Joel Garner too . . . 80)
Not a climbing hero but an on screen inspiration ( does that count ? ) , I literally bumped into Morgan Freeman on Madison Avenue (Manhattan,NYC) in pooring rain he was at a crossing waiting the walk sign , I was rushing to beat the traffic got to the sidewalk looked up to see this old kind looking dude in a wax jacket & wide brimmed leather hat smiling at me .
Stunned I said something a bit goofy like "wow you're my favourite actor!"
he replied " why thank you son " whilst smiling a sincere smile . It made my week 80) .
I've also had good long conversations with Chuck D (Public Enemy) , Professor Griff (Public Enemy) , KRS ONE , Method Man & quite a few other famous Musicians & actors .
I've slung a few cricket balls towards Ian Botham , Vivian Richards & Joel Garner too . . . 80)
In reply to Ciderslider
Big Ron made an unkind but funny comment to by belayer as they watched me struggle up Bond Street at Millstone. Something along the lines of "your mate has really got the knack of getting a piece of gear in every 20cm" Or some such, I was oblivious he was even there but found it funny when told shortly after.
Outside of climbing I nearly had a fight with Keith Harris a few years back, I had a pint with Suggs last December and my brief fling with Dawn French is well known on UKC. I'm just a media tart really
Big Ron made an unkind but funny comment to by belayer as they watched me struggle up Bond Street at Millstone. Something along the lines of "your mate has really got the knack of getting a piece of gear in every 20cm" Or some such, I was oblivious he was even there but found it funny when told shortly after.
Outside of climbing I nearly had a fight with Keith Harris a few years back, I had a pint with Suggs last December and my brief fling with Dawn French is well known on UKC. I'm just a media tart really
In reply to Ciderslider: Nothing climbing related, but I have had lunch with Sir Patrick Moore while I was at Uni! He's even larger in real life than he looks on the TV
In reply to Ciderslider:
I once saw Bill Oddie on the opposite platform from mine at Temple Meads train station. That's how I roll!
I once saw Bill Oddie on the opposite platform from mine at Temple Meads train station. That's how I roll!
In reply to snaresman:
Try not to let that get to your head too much man 80) , that must of been truly stunning , Bill is quite special & very unique . . . inspired 80)
Try not to let that get to your head too much man 80) , that must of been truly stunning , Bill is quite special & very unique . . . inspired 80)
In reply to Ciderslider: Dave Mcleod has been to the wall i work at a couple of times, I belayed him on a few climbs really nice guy and awesome to watch climbing.
In reply to blanchie14c:
"I nearly had a fight with Keith Harris a few years back"
Why? Were you trying to pull his bird?
"I nearly had a fight with Keith Harris a few years back"
Why? Were you trying to pull his bird?
In reply to snaresman:
"I once saw Bill Oddie on the opposite platform from mine at Temple Meads train station"
Shouldn't that have been: "I spotted bill Oddie..."
"I once saw Bill Oddie on the opposite platform from mine at Temple Meads train station"
Shouldn't that have been: "I spotted bill Oddie..."
In reply to MJ:
Not so glamorous, he cut me up at the lights, I was only on a chicken chaser and he was in his merc with the top down, his laughing stopped when i dismounted and gave him some choice words mainly about arse holes, an arm and how he should be comfortable with it...
The guy is a well known tosspot around these parts.
> (In reply to blanchie14c)
> Why? Were you trying to pull his bird?
Not so glamorous, he cut me up at the lights, I was only on a chicken chaser and he was in his merc with the top down, his laughing stopped when i dismounted and gave him some choice words mainly about arse holes, an arm and how he should be comfortable with it...
The guy is a well known tosspot around these parts.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I once had lunch with Ian Paisley. Amusing, absolutely charming and completely sane. I think he must have a twin brother.
I once had lunch with Ian Paisley. Amusing, absolutely charming and completely sane. I think he must have a twin brother.
In reply to blanchie14c: Who is Keith Harris?
In reply to Al Evans:
The idiot part of keith Harris and Orville
The idiot part of keith Harris and Orville
In reply to Ciderslider: You will find that some of the older posters on this forum personally know and have even climbed with many of the climbers who are regarded as legends. The climbing world was much smaller back then and I regularly chatted and played darts with Joe Brown and Don Whillans in the Padarn. I also knew Al Harris, Al Rouse, Jimmy Jewell, Tom Proctor, Ron Fawcett, Pete Livesy etc. The two "super legends" that I have met were Walter Bonnatti and Anderl Heckmair who on different occasions were guest speakers at my club dinners. It's the only time I've ever been "star struck".
Hows that for name dropping??? Come on Al Evans stop hiding your light under a bushell. I bet you could add to that list
Al
Hows that for name dropping??? Come on Al Evans stop hiding your light under a bushell. I bet you could add to that list
Al
In reply to Ciderslider: I danced with Johnny Dawes, we were both dressed as chavs. Does that count?
In reply to Gaston Rubberpants: Cool, I'm that old that I remember reading about some of those in crags? magazine and the like.
I remember once being at Froggatt and seeing Ron Fawcett wander up to Downhill racer and shoot straight up it solo. Didn't realise it was him until I made some comment to a nearby climber.
Keep hoping that I might see Ron when I'm in the Peak District (sad, I know). Was gutted that we were sitting in the Millstone PH back in May this year, and just down the road in outside were Dave Birkett and Ron Fawcett.
Never hear much about Steve Bancroft anymore.
I remember once being at Froggatt and seeing Ron Fawcett wander up to Downhill racer and shoot straight up it solo. Didn't realise it was him until I made some comment to a nearby climber.
Keep hoping that I might see Ron when I'm in the Peak District (sad, I know). Was gutted that we were sitting in the Millstone PH back in May this year, and just down the road in outside were Dave Birkett and Ron Fawcett.
Never hear much about Steve Bancroft anymore.
In reply to Ciderslider: I was chatting to Tommy Banner(The Wurzles accordian player)in the gents loo in Taunton Marks and Spencers last week,Rock & Roll!
In reply to CragRat11: Course it counts cragrat. Even to be within 100 miles of such a great climber would be great for climbing antimatter like myself (cool indeed)
In reply to Ciderslider: Gruff Rhys gave me a hug last year.
In reply to aln: Regular or special ?
In reply to Ciderslider: saw Carol Vorderman in a pub in Covent Gardens.
Yes, she looks tasty in real life - a proper milf!
Yes, she looks tasty in real life - a proper milf!
In reply to Ciderslider: Regular I'm afraid.
In reply to aln: And it was this year.
In reply to grumpybearpantsclimbinggoat:
Is she a mother?
>
> Yes, she looks tasty in real life - a proper milf!
> Yes, she looks tasty in real life - a proper milf!
Is she a mother?
In reply to Ciderslider:
I've met Emma Twyford, Audrey Seguy, Hazel Findlay and Lucy Creamer.
And I once, infamously, guided Jim Donini.
I've met Emma Twyford, Audrey Seguy, Hazel Findlay and Lucy Creamer.
And I once, infamously, guided Jim Donini.
In reply to Blue Straggler:
two kids from second marriage
> (In reply to grumpybearpantsclimbinggoat)
> [...]
>
> Is she a mother?
> [...]
>
> Is she a mother?
two kids from second marriage
In reply to Ciderslider:
Not so much a brush with greatness but an interesting tale.
I was once at a charity BBQ in Hathersage with a few friends as well as several luminaries of the climbing world Seb Grieve, Arlie Anderson, Grimer, Jerry Moffett, etc. When my friend went up for free food they asked him his name to which he replied "Dave Lister". The chap serving called out over the whole gathering "Hey everyone Dave Lister is here! Wow!" No body had shouted out "Hey Seb's here wow"
Probably lost on anyone who is not a Red Dwarf fan.
Not so much a brush with greatness but an interesting tale.
I was once at a charity BBQ in Hathersage with a few friends as well as several luminaries of the climbing world Seb Grieve, Arlie Anderson, Grimer, Jerry Moffett, etc. When my friend went up for free food they asked him his name to which he replied "Dave Lister". The chap serving called out over the whole gathering "Hey everyone Dave Lister is here! Wow!" No body had shouted out "Hey Seb's here wow"
Probably lost on anyone who is not a Red Dwarf fan.
In reply to CragRat11:
I really like Johnny Dawes and have met him on a few occasions.
One time he said to me, "Hey I really liked that cartoon you did of me". Then a moment later "Actually no it was quite insulting wasn't it".
At least he never threatened to cut my ropes like John Dunne did , jokingly I might add.
I really like Johnny Dawes and have met him on a few occasions.
One time he said to me, "Hey I really liked that cartoon you did of me". Then a moment later "Actually no it was quite insulting wasn't it".
At least he never threatened to cut my ropes like John Dunne did , jokingly I might add.
In reply to Ciderslider: I shook Chris Sharma's hand. He's a wonderful guy.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Fantastic. Yuo have just made me feel VERY old. I guess one mans hero is another mans past it old fart.
Al
> (In reply to Al Randall) Cool, I'm that old that I remember reading about some of those in crags? magazine and the like.
Fantastic. Yuo have just made me feel VERY old. I guess one mans hero is another mans past it old fart.
Al
In reply to Ciderslider: Muammar & Hosni, Egypt 89. I don't do heroes, but I believe both are well known.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Ade Edmondson was stood in front of me at the Todmorden Show a few weeks ago filming pig-racing
Ade Edmondson was stood in front of me at the Todmorden Show a few weeks ago filming pig-racing
In reply to Ciderslider: Ulrika Johnsson was in my yoga class and the pub after Nice uvavu.
dara O'Briain nearly knocked me over as i exited a tesco metro. He's not small!!
And Carole Smilie came for dinner once. In leather trousers. Utterly charming & lovely.
dara O'Briain nearly knocked me over as i exited a tesco metro. He's not small!!
And Carole Smilie came for dinner once. In leather trousers. Utterly charming & lovely.
In reply to Gaston Rubberpants: Sorry mate, that wasn't my intention.
In reply to DaveFidler: Bet he has a firm grip
In reply to Ciderslider: When I was about 19, I spent about two hours sat at the bar drinking with Don Whillans in the Pineapple on Water Street in Manchester (couldn't get over how short he was - and a bit fat too) just the two of us. He was on his way to his mum's in Salford.
He was charming, unassuming, chatty and wouldn't let me buy a round - but bought me about three. I asked questions, and he answered them, it was great.
It was a memorable and fascinating two hours, during which I probably conducted myself like a 14 year old teenage girl meeting David Cassiday....
He was charming, unassuming, chatty and wouldn't let me buy a round - but bought me about three. I asked questions, and he answered them, it was great.
It was a memorable and fascinating two hours, during which I probably conducted myself like a 14 year old teenage girl meeting David Cassiday....
In reply to Ciderslider:
The great Sir Christopher Boddington once bumped into me in the Bowderstone car park
The great Sir Christopher Boddington once bumped into me in the Bowderstone car park
In reply to Ciderslider: Having worked in a climbing wall I've met and chatted to a lot of the stars, the best was though when I was fresh off the boat climbing at the arch. I spent two hours chatting and climbing with this short hard climber guy who was setting, it took an hour and a half before someone said "look, its Johnny Dawes!", not that I knew who he was even so. Now though we usually chat for a bit when we meet, especially since I asked him about Johnnys wall on cromlech boulders I'd just done.
Had something similar a bit later when I was exchanging ideas with this long haired guy when we both were trying the same problem at about V6 or so, me failing badly and when he hit the crux his mate shouts "Go Gaz!". I thought he was one of the regulars. I've since chatted much more to him and met his teddy.
Adrian Berry and Audrey Seguy are also really nice people I've had the fortune to climb with
What has struck me though with all these people are just how friendly and non elitist etc they are. When they chat about the hard stuff they've done they are just full of enthusiasm rather than being pricks about it, especially talking to Johnny solo e6s sounds perfectly reasonable and you start to think one could climb them easily enough
Had something similar a bit later when I was exchanging ideas with this long haired guy when we both were trying the same problem at about V6 or so, me failing badly and when he hit the crux his mate shouts "Go Gaz!". I thought he was one of the regulars. I've since chatted much more to him and met his teddy.
Adrian Berry and Audrey Seguy are also really nice people I've had the fortune to climb with
What has struck me though with all these people are just how friendly and non elitist etc they are. When they chat about the hard stuff they've done they are just full of enthusiasm rather than being pricks about it, especially talking to Johnny solo e6s sounds perfectly reasonable and you start to think one could climb them easily enough
In terms of climbing; I once got p!ssed in "The Hights" in Llanberis with Johnny Dawes and Jim Perrin, what a night that was! (I don't think they put their hands in their pockets all night I was so in awe..)
Others;
Roy Harper's girlfriend once stuck her thumb in my eye.
Met, (and even once played guitar with,)John Otway, inumerable times He may be coming to stay with us in Aus next year!.
I was once called a "peasant" by the late great Bob Todd.
Chatted briefly with Benny Hill in a staff canteen.
Once got into an argument with Steve Howe, damn near a fight (I could have had him.)
I called Denis Waterman "ugly" in front or Rula Lenska, who agreed with me.
Others;
Roy Harper's girlfriend once stuck her thumb in my eye.
Met, (and even once played guitar with,)John Otway, inumerable times He may be coming to stay with us in Aus next year!.
I was once called a "peasant" by the late great Bob Todd.
Chatted briefly with Benny Hill in a staff canteen.
Once got into an argument with Steve Howe, damn near a fight (I could have had him.)
I called Denis Waterman "ugly" in front or Rula Lenska, who agreed with me.
In reply to stroppygob: Being pissed many years ago with Johnny Dawes in Newcastle after one of his talks I cant even go in to what was talked about at the pub!, working with Malcolm Smith building Ratho climbing in the peak for a day with Ben Moon then heading to the foundry and bumping in to jerry... what a day!!
In reply to Ciderslider: Alan Hinkes presented my gold DoE right after i talked to Prince Philip
In reply to Ciderslider: One winters day walking into Coire an Lochain bumped into Chris Bonners, same day saw Cubby Cuthbertson in same corrie (filming or climbing), Cragging in the lakes Doug Scott with a party of kids asked "OK if I climb through?"!! Had a wee natter with Andy Nisbett outside the CIC hut on a lean Decembers day.Descended the Cobbler with Coilin Priors dad, a real character and still managed to blag the following years callender, (I think the old boy was networking) Enjoyed a walk and blether on Vorlich and the Stuc with a chance encounter Cameron McNeish. Had a laugh with (the late) Terry Scott of Terry and June fame on a train from Waterloo to Portsmouth. Reluctantly (I made him wait!) shook hands with the then Tory Defence Secretary Micky Heseltine in the South Atlantic, As for the hingers oan, my mate once got a lift from Tyndrum to Lochearnheahd (a broken down car) from Mick Fowler, and my dad met George Best in a bar somewhere in Spain.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I once found myself in a flooded basement with Prince Charles.
Other cool people met through work would be Michael Palin - who was a really good bloke as you'd expect, David Bellamy (worked in the same building), Andy Kirkpatrick, George Band - we had a chat about the pics from the Everest '53 exp that I was cataloging, Steven Venables, Ranulph Fiennes, Catherine Destiville - still gorgeous, but best of all, years ago I met the entire cast of Red Dwarf
I once found myself in a flooded basement with Prince Charles.
Other cool people met through work would be Michael Palin - who was a really good bloke as you'd expect, David Bellamy (worked in the same building), Andy Kirkpatrick, George Band - we had a chat about the pics from the Everest '53 exp that I was cataloging, Steven Venables, Ranulph Fiennes, Catherine Destiville - still gorgeous, but best of all, years ago I met the entire cast of Red Dwarf
In reply to Southern Man: Was once in The Alpenstock in chamonix with Paul Nunn, we were meeting up with Don Whillans who was 'staying with somebody'.
The somebody turned out to be Jean Claude Killi, Frances golden boy ,Robert Redford look alike, multi olympic gold medal winning skier. After he had 'bought' several rounds I felt a bit guilty and put my hand in my pocket. Don said 'don't be stupid Al, you don't think he pays for anything do you?'
A good night was had by all and he was a charming man.
The somebody turned out to be Jean Claude Killi, Frances golden boy ,Robert Redford look alike, multi olympic gold medal winning skier. After he had 'bought' several rounds I felt a bit guilty and put my hand in my pocket. Don said 'don't be stupid Al, you don't think he pays for anything do you?'
A good night was had by all and he was a charming man.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Many years ago I used to be reasonable at football and so played for the county U15 team. One game we played was against West Brom U14's and Nobby Stiles refereed. Highlight of that game (for me) was when he asked "Are you alright lad?" when I was out of breath and wheezing a bit. Think we probably lost the match though.
Many years ago I used to be reasonable at football and so played for the county U15 team. One game we played was against West Brom U14's and Nobby Stiles refereed. Highlight of that game (for me) was when he asked "Are you alright lad?" when I was out of breath and wheezing a bit. Think we probably lost the match though.
In reply to Ciderslider:
In terms of climbing legends, Walter Bonatti is the one person I have met that I was truly in awe of.
In the world of athletics, I once managed to shake hands with Usain Bolt and Heile Gabreselasse on the same day and another time Tommy Smith and Tyson Gay. I compete in the some of the same races as Ron Hill and sometimes have a chat with him in the pub afterwards.
In terms of climbing legends, Walter Bonatti is the one person I have met that I was truly in awe of.
In the world of athletics, I once managed to shake hands with Usain Bolt and Heile Gabreselasse on the same day and another time Tommy Smith and Tyson Gay. I compete in the some of the same races as Ron Hill and sometimes have a chat with him in the pub afterwards.
In reply to The New NickB: I brushed past Carl Lewis at the Zurich Grand Prix in 1993. He was never the same again.
In reply to Ciderslider:
A couple of years ago, before I was into climbing literature or history. We got chatting to some old bloke in Gogarth car park. He was a very nice chap, very low key, modest and unassuming. He must have been in his late 60s and told us he'd climbed up to about E3 in his time, so we knew he must have been alright, and he had a bit of something about him. We chatted to him for about an hour, he shared some observations of how climbing had changed and some pearls of wisdom. The most memorable being that a lot of his friends had died, but he'd stayed alive by "using his loaf".
Wasn't until a few months later when I saw a picture on his shop website that I realised we'd been talking to Joe Brown. Thinking back on it, I reckon he quite liked the fact we didn't have a clue who he was. I think he just enjoyed talking to young enthusiastic climbers.
A couple of years ago, before I was into climbing literature or history. We got chatting to some old bloke in Gogarth car park. He was a very nice chap, very low key, modest and unassuming. He must have been in his late 60s and told us he'd climbed up to about E3 in his time, so we knew he must have been alright, and he had a bit of something about him. We chatted to him for about an hour, he shared some observations of how climbing had changed and some pearls of wisdom. The most memorable being that a lot of his friends had died, but he'd stayed alive by "using his loaf".
Wasn't until a few months later when I saw a picture on his shop website that I realised we'd been talking to Joe Brown. Thinking back on it, I reckon he quite liked the fact we didn't have a clue who he was. I think he just enjoyed talking to young enthusiastic climbers.
In reply to Ciderslider: I met Grimer once in Pete's Eats and he made an amusing comment about the lasagne. Legend indeed.
In reply to Ciderslider: I bumped into Thomas Huber in a tiny airport in Greenland. Friendly chap...
In reply to Ciderslider:
couple if points in a pub with Sir Christian and provided a meal for two Nobel prize winners.In. the whole Chris was the more interesting!
couple if points in a pub with Sir Christian and provided a meal for two Nobel prize winners.In. the whole Chris was the more interesting!
In reply to Ciderslider:
I bought a rope, a sling and a krab..........then asked the shop owner how to use them....he was Alan Austin.
Then I was lucky enough to be in the right place and at the right time to climb with...Stevie Haston, Dirty Derek Hearsey, and once borowed Ron F's boots when I forgot to take mine to the Rothwell wall.(and no, they aren't magic...he is!).
I bought a rope, a sling and a krab..........then asked the shop owner how to use them....he was Alan Austin.
Then I was lucky enough to be in the right place and at the right time to climb with...Stevie Haston, Dirty Derek Hearsey, and once borowed Ron F's boots when I forgot to take mine to the Rothwell wall.(and no, they aren't magic...he is!).
In reply to Ciderslider: Many have met me - the lucky people.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I bought a pair of rock boots in Harrogate Cotswolds c2000 from someone called Lucy ... and I think it was Lucy Creamer. Anyway, that's who I thought it was just at the point she asked what standard I was climbing at. I was so in awe I lost the power of speech.
I bought a pair of rock boots in Harrogate Cotswolds c2000 from someone called Lucy ... and I think it was Lucy Creamer. Anyway, that's who I thought it was just at the point she asked what standard I was climbing at. I was so in awe I lost the power of speech.
In reply to Rich: A mate of mine was quite impressed when Lucy walked up and gave me a cuddle and a peck on the cheek at an outdoor show as we approached her stand. He didn't know that I had known her for a number of years and from the time when she had just started climbing.
Al
Al
In reply to Ciderslider:
Not me, but a friend once invaded the stage at a Britney Spears concert to pull a silly face at her. He was later described in The Sun as a 'crazed fan' and when asked in an interview about her near miss with the nutter, if he was 'hot', she replied "Hell No!" He was so proud.
Not me, but a friend once invaded the stage at a Britney Spears concert to pull a silly face at her. He was later described in The Sun as a 'crazed fan' and when asked in an interview about her near miss with the nutter, if he was 'hot', she replied "Hell No!" He was so proud.
In reply to Rich:
Holy mother of god, two people have cited Grimer as a legend! What is the world coming to.
Holy mother of god, two people have cited Grimer as a legend! What is the world coming to.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I have drunk and chatted with these and others;
Tommy Cooper, George Best, Ian Clough, Don Whillans, Gunne Clark, Mike Harris, Geoff Sutton, Eric Byne, Mick Burke, Nat Allen, Eric Beard.
There is a theme there, anyone fancy a drink?
I have drunk and chatted with these and others;
Tommy Cooper, George Best, Ian Clough, Don Whillans, Gunne Clark, Mike Harris, Geoff Sutton, Eric Byne, Mick Burke, Nat Allen, Eric Beard.
There is a theme there, anyone fancy a drink?
In reply to Ciderslider:
Hitched a lift with Brown in the early 70's down the pass in his old Morris Minor van.....got knocked off the dartboard in the Padarn by Brown ( again) playing Coach and Horses. Saw Crewe and the Halliwell Brothers and Boysen etc in the Padarn. Livesey retrieved my trusty MOAC on the VS next to Merlin (Via Vita?)....he was soloing!! That was life.....
Hitched a lift with Brown in the early 70's down the pass in his old Morris Minor van.....got knocked off the dartboard in the Padarn by Brown ( again) playing Coach and Horses. Saw Crewe and the Halliwell Brothers and Boysen etc in the Padarn. Livesey retrieved my trusty MOAC on the VS next to Merlin (Via Vita?)....he was soloing!! That was life.....
In reply to Blue Straggler:
Wasn't that to the pub??
> (In reply to Ciderslider)
>
>
>
> And I once, infamously, guided Jim Donini.
>
>
>
> And I once, infamously, guided Jim Donini.
Wasn't that to the pub??
In reply to Gaston Rubberpants:
Have met Lucy Creamer a couple of times, generally at The Edge in Sheffield when I used to climb there quite a bit. She was unfailingly very nice, pleasant, and friendly. John Dunne is also a friendly chap, as I suspect anyone who uses Manchester wall can verify..
On the other hand, I've met a few "top" climbers who were unpleasant, rude and elitist - one staggeringly so. But no names - I may have just caught them on bad days or when the wind was blowing from the north.
Have met Lucy Creamer a couple of times, generally at The Edge in Sheffield when I used to climb there quite a bit. She was unfailingly very nice, pleasant, and friendly. John Dunne is also a friendly chap, as I suspect anyone who uses Manchester wall can verify..
On the other hand, I've met a few "top" climbers who were unpleasant, rude and elitist - one staggeringly so. But no names - I may have just caught them on bad days or when the wind was blowing from the north.
In reply to John_Hat: Yes I was on a CC meet recently in Orpierre and we were socialising with John and his family most evenings.
Al
Al
In reply to Old Skooled:
These are tough times we live in
> (In reply to Rich)
>
> Holy mother of god, two people have cited Grimer as a legend! What is the world coming to.
>
> Holy mother of god, two people have cited Grimer as a legend! What is the world coming to.
These are tough times we live in
In reply to Ciderslider:
1) Watford Gap motorway cafe on the M1 in the 1960s. Crowded and no spare tables, so asked this guy sitting there with two "heavies" if it was alright to share his table? He said no problem. Engaged in some polite conversation about the weather. Thought it was funny that people kept coming up to him asking for autographs, then as he got up to leave with a friendly "Good bye" I realised it was Adam Faith.
2) Watching the Badminton Horse Trials Cross Country I became aware that someone was immediately behind me. Turned round to find a horse breathing down my neck. Sitting on the horse was Prince Charles. He smiled and said he was sorry he had startled me.
I bowed deeply and flung myself onto the muddy ground ground touching it with my forhead, but he said "No need for that old chap. Do stand up"
Actually the preceding paragraph is bolox, but he did ask if I was enjoying the day before smiling again and cantering off.
1) Watford Gap motorway cafe on the M1 in the 1960s. Crowded and no spare tables, so asked this guy sitting there with two "heavies" if it was alright to share his table? He said no problem. Engaged in some polite conversation about the weather. Thought it was funny that people kept coming up to him asking for autographs, then as he got up to leave with a friendly "Good bye" I realised it was Adam Faith.
2) Watching the Badminton Horse Trials Cross Country I became aware that someone was immediately behind me. Turned round to find a horse breathing down my neck. Sitting on the horse was Prince Charles. He smiled and said he was sorry he had startled me.
I bowed deeply and flung myself onto the muddy ground ground touching it with my forhead, but he said "No need for that old chap. Do stand up"
Actually the preceding paragraph is bolox, but he did ask if I was enjoying the day before smiling again and cantering off.
In reply to Ciderslider: "celeb" climber spotting/stalking has been a bit of a running joke between me and a mate (having pissed in the urinal next to Ben Moon he probably wins hands-down, this would be the "Golden Eagle" in an I-Spy book). Only a few weeks ago he was overjoyed to glimpse Kenton Cool walking around in Evian for example...
My top 10 collection of point scoring encounters include:
1. Meeting Ray Macfee on Helvellyn summit
2. Cup of tea at Neil Greshams' house (tried to sell us his axe from the Tempest)
3. Drinking with Johnny Dawes (twice, the second time he approached us!)
4. Drinking with John Allen
5. Drinking with Kenton Cool in Nepal (see a pattern?)
6. Saw the Ozzie stars solo Gaia at Black Rocks
7. Eavesdropped an Adrian Berry coaching course (climbed first grit E1 while pretending he was talking to me)
8. ditto Ste Mclure (didn't work as well)
9. allowed Ron Fawcett onto the lower cube Traverse at apparent north in front of me
10.Threw a size 3 cam to Ian Parnell at Stanage
And if that doesn't impress, Mick Ryan used to visit the house I shared in Bradwell.
My top 10 collection of point scoring encounters include:
1. Meeting Ray Macfee on Helvellyn summit
2. Cup of tea at Neil Greshams' house (tried to sell us his axe from the Tempest)
3. Drinking with Johnny Dawes (twice, the second time he approached us!)
4. Drinking with John Allen
5. Drinking with Kenton Cool in Nepal (see a pattern?)
6. Saw the Ozzie stars solo Gaia at Black Rocks
7. Eavesdropped an Adrian Berry coaching course (climbed first grit E1 while pretending he was talking to me)
8. ditto Ste Mclure (didn't work as well)
9. allowed Ron Fawcett onto the lower cube Traverse at apparent north in front of me
10.Threw a size 3 cam to Ian Parnell at Stanage
And if that doesn't impress, Mick Ryan used to visit the house I shared in Bradwell.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Sat down in St Govans pub next to Dave Birkett and watched United get thrashed in the Champions League Final with him... He wasn't impressed by United's performance
His favorite pie is blackberry and apple if I remember correctly...
Sat down in St Govans pub next to Dave Birkett and watched United get thrashed in the Champions League Final with him... He wasn't impressed by United's performance
His favorite pie is blackberry and apple if I remember correctly...
In reply to Ciderslider:
I went to school with golfer Darren Clarke.
I know he's not a climber, but I've been telling everybody since Sunday
I went to school with golfer Darren Clarke.
I know he's not a climber, but I've been telling everybody since Sunday
In reply to Ciderslider:
Sharing a house in Plymouth with Pete O'Sullivan in the early 80's...great times!!!
Taking Mark Miller climbing when he was 17 and banned from playing rugby because ' he was an animal'- being led up all sorts of horrible stuff.
Seeing his (as he called it) 'semi controlled descent' from above halfway on an attempted solo of Great Slab, Froggatt, ...very very funny and had me rolling about in hysterics!!!
Sharing a house in Plymouth with Pete O'Sullivan in the early 80's...great times!!!
Taking Mark Miller climbing when he was 17 and banned from playing rugby because ' he was an animal'- being led up all sorts of horrible stuff.
Seeing his (as he called it) 'semi controlled descent' from above halfway on an attempted solo of Great Slab, Froggatt, ...very very funny and had me rolling about in hysterics!!!
In reply to Ciderslider:
one famous climber recently asked where i'd got my bouldering brush from. does that count as a brush with greatness!!!
(http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/brushes.html the middle one which i found)
one famous climber recently asked where i'd got my bouldering brush from. does that count as a brush with greatness!!!
(http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/brushes.html the middle one which i found)
In reply to Ciderslider:
I once visited Dove Cottage, Grasmere. William Wordsworth used to live there.
I once visited Dove Cottage, Grasmere. William Wordsworth used to live there.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I met Jedward in Dixons at Heathrow T1 last week.... we are now on nodding terms !!
I met Jedward in Dixons at Heathrow T1 last week.... we are now on nodding terms !!
In reply to Ciderslider:
I once sat in a seat that was still warm from the buttocks of Jean-Claude van Damme
I once sat in a seat that was still warm from the buttocks of Jean-Claude van Damme
In reply to Ciderslider:
I have this one by proxy. One summer about 10 years ago I was working in San Franciso. A colleague wanted to go to Yosemite over Labour weekend and invited me to come too. Although I'd never been to Yosemite and was desperate to visit the place, I declined her invitation as I knew it would be hell in the Valley, overrun as it would be with tourists. Also she was planning to drive there just for the day - a bit of a hike from San Franciso. So I stayed and did a bit of overtime at work instead. She went on her own and took a guided tour up (I think) Half Dome. During the trek the guide discovered that she had come all the way just for a day, took pity on her and invited her to stay in a cabin she was renting from some guy. She took the guide up on her offer and next morning the 'guy' turned up with a friend. As she related to me afterwards "some climber guy quite good apparently - Ron Cock or something. Nice bloke, as was his friend.". After a bit of probing turned out it was Ron Kauk's cabin, and his mate was Peter Croft. She wasn't really into climbing and didn' know who they were. I was gutted.
Also shared a lift with Lynne Hill and Robin Erbesfield in a Birmingham hotel. One way to make you feel like a big fat punter (which I am now, but wasn't then).
I have this one by proxy. One summer about 10 years ago I was working in San Franciso. A colleague wanted to go to Yosemite over Labour weekend and invited me to come too. Although I'd never been to Yosemite and was desperate to visit the place, I declined her invitation as I knew it would be hell in the Valley, overrun as it would be with tourists. Also she was planning to drive there just for the day - a bit of a hike from San Franciso. So I stayed and did a bit of overtime at work instead. She went on her own and took a guided tour up (I think) Half Dome. During the trek the guide discovered that she had come all the way just for a day, took pity on her and invited her to stay in a cabin she was renting from some guy. She took the guide up on her offer and next morning the 'guy' turned up with a friend. As she related to me afterwards "some climber guy quite good apparently - Ron Cock or something. Nice bloke, as was his friend.". After a bit of probing turned out it was Ron Kauk's cabin, and his mate was Peter Croft. She wasn't really into climbing and didn' know who they were. I was gutted.
Also shared a lift with Lynne Hill and Robin Erbesfield in a Birmingham hotel. One way to make you feel like a big fat punter (which I am now, but wasn't then).
In reply to Ciderslider:
I've met the great James taylor backstage at two of his concerts - manchester 2009 and glasgow last week. Both times I was a guest of my friend and one of the world's greatest bass players jimmy johnson.
Also got to meet allan holdsworth and gary husband using the same method.
I've met the great James taylor backstage at two of his concerts - manchester 2009 and glasgow last week. Both times I was a guest of my friend and one of the world's greatest bass players jimmy johnson.
Also got to meet allan holdsworth and gary husband using the same method.
In reply to Gaston Rubberpants:
Well I've climbed with most of them and just consider them mates rather than brushes with greatness, my more valued brushes with greatness are things like being bought a drink by Sir Lawrence Olivier, or snogging Emma Thompson or going to Bosnia with Earl Spencer when he would only talk about his sister, never as Dianna.
I ran against Sebastian Coe, was bowled at in the nets by Freddy Trueman, and once, after going on for an hour how she hated football, she asked Dennis law if he liked the game. Dennis was as usual the gentleman and just said 'I used to play it a bit'. I told her later she had been talking to a football legend.
>
> Hows that for name dropping??? Come on Al Evans stop hiding your light under a bushell. I bet you could add to that list
>
> Al
> Hows that for name dropping??? Come on Al Evans stop hiding your light under a bushell. I bet you could add to that list
>
> Al
Well I've climbed with most of them and just consider them mates rather than brushes with greatness, my more valued brushes with greatness are things like being bought a drink by Sir Lawrence Olivier, or snogging Emma Thompson or going to Bosnia with Earl Spencer when he would only talk about his sister, never as Dianna.
I ran against Sebastian Coe, was bowled at in the nets by Freddy Trueman, and once, after going on for an hour how she hated football, she asked Dennis law if he liked the game. Dennis was as usual the gentleman and just said 'I used to play it a bit'. I told her later she had been talking to a football legend.
In reply to Al Evans: Yes I know what you mean but you are forgetting that we are dealing with a new generation.
Al
Al
In reply to Gaston Rubberpants: Sorry that was my wife I was talking about with Dennis Law.
In reply to Ciderslider: I met Johnny Dawes at climbing works in Sheffield and decided to have one of his master classes. On Monday night I was spotting my brother on a route when I felt a tap on my shoulder and asked what we have been climbing this week and what our next route in mind is, which was madness to me how he would firstly recognise me and secondly take time to talk. Luckily my brother didn't fall! Johnny is on my facebook now and messages aswell. He is a legend aswell as a normal bloke.
In reply to Ciderslider: I have met a few
The Queen at plymouth naval base when I was younger, although I was more interested in Grotbags the tv witch who was there to entertain the officers children
Had a fag with Mark Lamar outside BBC, really nice bloke
Jacqueline Gold- of Ann Summers fame
Bear Grylss-he spoke at my work years ago about hs everest trip
Prince Andrew- my dad flew helicopters with him during the Falklands
Bumped into Lenny Henry in Covent Gardens a few years back, really nice bloke
Met Tina Turner backstage at a concert that my friends dad organised, she said hello and that was it.
A few others that I cannot remember
The Queen at plymouth naval base when I was younger, although I was more interested in Grotbags the tv witch who was there to entertain the officers children
Had a fag with Mark Lamar outside BBC, really nice bloke
Jacqueline Gold- of Ann Summers fame
Bear Grylss-he spoke at my work years ago about hs everest trip
Prince Andrew- my dad flew helicopters with him during the Falklands
Bumped into Lenny Henry in Covent Gardens a few years back, really nice bloke
Met Tina Turner backstage at a concert that my friends dad organised, she said hello and that was it.
A few others that I cannot remember
Back in the late eighties...
I saw Neville Mott (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1977), spoke briefly to Klaus von Klitzing (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985) and knew Andrey Geim (Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010) reasonably well.
My career progression is just slightly less stellar!
I saw Neville Mott (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1977), spoke briefly to Klaus von Klitzing (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985) and knew Andrey Geim (Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010) reasonably well.
My career progression is just slightly less stellar!
In reply to Al Evans:
You're slipping - you forget to mention Sue Lawley and the jacuzzi
You're slipping - you forget to mention Sue Lawley and the jacuzzi
In reply to Ciderslider:
I've had the occasional phone conversation with this chap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Jeffreys
I've had the occasional phone conversation with this chap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Jeffreys
In reply to Trangia:
As a kid I lived in Kilsby which is a village close to Watford Gap, quite a few of the local teenagers used to get weekend or holiday jobs and got loads of autographs from the bands that stopped off there.
There were probably more Beatles & Rolling Stones signatures per head of population than anywhere else in the country.
> (In reply to Ciderslider)
>
> 1) Watford Gap motorway cafe on the M1 in the 1960s. >
>
> 1) Watford Gap motorway cafe on the M1 in the 1960s. >
As a kid I lived in Kilsby which is a village close to Watford Gap, quite a few of the local teenagers used to get weekend or holiday jobs and got loads of autographs from the bands that stopped off there.
There were probably more Beatles & Rolling Stones signatures per head of population than anywhere else in the country.
In reply to Ciderslider:
Was on an easyjet flight out of Naples with Huey from Fun Lovin' Criminals. His girlfriend was stunning.
Also, served Rick Wakeman a hot chocolate. He was about 34 foot tall and a realy nice bloke.
And if anyone remembers Gladiators...i showed the big bloke round my old place of work. He was a total arse.
Was on an easyjet flight out of Naples with Huey from Fun Lovin' Criminals. His girlfriend was stunning.
Also, served Rick Wakeman a hot chocolate. He was about 34 foot tall and a realy nice bloke.
And if anyone remembers Gladiators...i showed the big bloke round my old place of work. He was a total arse.
In reply to steve deeming:
Hi Steve, this brings back warm memories for me of a 17 year Mark Miller in his animal phase. I'd like to say he calmed down as reached the years of maturity but sadly he never got that chance.
Hi Steve, this brings back warm memories for me of a 17 year Mark Miller in his animal phase. I'd like to say he calmed down as reached the years of maturity but sadly he never got that chance.
In reply to Ciderslider:
I hesitate to compete with the elder statesmen of UKClimbing about links to climbing history, but when I was a student I got to sit next to Noel Odell at a dinner. Odell (for younger readers) was one of the greatest mountaineers of the pre-war period - the last person to see Mallory alive on Everest in 1924, first ascentionist of Nanda Devi. He was fascinating, of course, about the heroic age of Himalayan mountaineering and still full of enthusiasm for the hills, but perhaps the most interesting bit was hearing him talk about being a prospector in the Yukon before the (1914) war.
I hesitate to compete with the elder statesmen of UKClimbing about links to climbing history, but when I was a student I got to sit next to Noel Odell at a dinner. Odell (for younger readers) was one of the greatest mountaineers of the pre-war period - the last person to see Mallory alive on Everest in 1924, first ascentionist of Nanda Devi. He was fascinating, of course, about the heroic age of Himalayan mountaineering and still full of enthusiasm for the hills, but perhaps the most interesting bit was hearing him talk about being a prospector in the Yukon before the (1914) war.
In reply to Richard J:
Hey, how are doing? Last talked with Mark in 88/89 in Nevisports caff when he was working for Mal Duff.....was a while before I realised it was him in Katmandu. Lived in Ulverston and occasionally went drinking with Murray (?) an ex-Alpine Binman, features in one of J S's books......funny that as my youngest was also in a school where Jackie Burley was teaching......small,small world
Hey, how are doing? Last talked with Mark in 88/89 in Nevisports caff when he was working for Mal Duff.....was a while before I realised it was him in Katmandu. Lived in Ulverston and occasionally went drinking with Murray (?) an ex-Alpine Binman, features in one of J S's books......funny that as my youngest was also in a school where Jackie Burley was teaching......small,small world
In reply to Ciderslider:
was a personal trainer to hu jintaos wife and 2 of her friends for 2 weeks. a very funny time and hilarious women.
several meetings with ahmed massoud and once with musharraf. massoud was all hes made out to have been - eloquent, witty, gentlemanly, tho still a leader in a place where insane things are part of the equation. tho i never actually knew him, i actually miss him.
musharraf was also witty, tho distracted. a big personality.
was introduced to sayyid khatemi following his reelection, so obviously in good spirits. came across as intelligent and fatherly. like masooud, people who could have changed the world.
climbing-wise: met doug scott in strome ferry (i think). saw him speak as a kid and it changed my life, so was kinda lost in hero-worship to have any intelligent interaction.
said hi to steve house in skardu a few times. told vince anderson i liked his shirt.
see the giri giri boys regularly around the gear shops of tokyo. have a pair of okadas BD gloves. they recognize me which is good for my ego.
have known will gadd for a while. have his sat phone.
helped denis ubruko open a blue drum in the carpark of the masherbrum in skardu.
music-wise: helped iggy pop backstage get ready for a show. saw him warm up - bizarre. hed just launch into contortions and snarls mid-sentence whilst going thru the set notes. only a little guy, ripped like a demon. most amazing sense of balance outside the bolshoi ive ever seen.
shook jackie chans hand in a mall in HK.
was a personal trainer to hu jintaos wife and 2 of her friends for 2 weeks. a very funny time and hilarious women.
several meetings with ahmed massoud and once with musharraf. massoud was all hes made out to have been - eloquent, witty, gentlemanly, tho still a leader in a place where insane things are part of the equation. tho i never actually knew him, i actually miss him.
musharraf was also witty, tho distracted. a big personality.
was introduced to sayyid khatemi following his reelection, so obviously in good spirits. came across as intelligent and fatherly. like masooud, people who could have changed the world.
climbing-wise: met doug scott in strome ferry (i think). saw him speak as a kid and it changed my life, so was kinda lost in hero-worship to have any intelligent interaction.
said hi to steve house in skardu a few times. told vince anderson i liked his shirt.
see the giri giri boys regularly around the gear shops of tokyo. have a pair of okadas BD gloves. they recognize me which is good for my ego.
have known will gadd for a while. have his sat phone.
helped denis ubruko open a blue drum in the carpark of the masherbrum in skardu.
music-wise: helped iggy pop backstage get ready for a show. saw him warm up - bizarre. hed just launch into contortions and snarls mid-sentence whilst going thru the set notes. only a little guy, ripped like a demon. most amazing sense of balance outside the bolshoi ive ever seen.
shook jackie chans hand in a mall in HK.
In reply to steve deeming:
Good to hear from you - I well remember you taking us climbing from school. I climbed a lot with Mark for a few years after that, then less so as he got so much better than me, but I always stayed in touch. Murray I know from his days living with friends of mine in Sheffield.
Good to hear from you - I well remember you taking us climbing from school. I climbed a lot with Mark for a few years after that, then less so as he got so much better than me, but I always stayed in touch. Murray I know from his days living with friends of mine in Sheffield.
In reply to ice.solo:
Who?
> (In reply to Ciderslider)
>
> was a personal trainer to hu jintaos wife >
>
> was a personal trainer to hu jintaos wife >
Who?
In reply to Morgan Woods:
unless this is a 'whos hu' joke, you may need to get out more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_Jintao
unless this is a 'whos hu' joke, you may need to get out more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_Jintao
In reply to Ciderslider: I was in the TA paras several years ago. On one of our 10 milers we were joined by a retired training major from 22 SAS regiment who was helicoptered in (obviously a real legend in military terms). A very unassuming and normal looking guy, although he did bear some resemblance to a slim Father Christmas.
He had this annoying little Jack Russell that was getting in everyones way. At one point I caught the man's heel as he was running in front of me.
Me: "Sorry sir"
Him: "That's alright son, but if you step on my dog I'll kill you (smiling)!"
He had this annoying little Jack Russell that was getting in everyones way. At one point I caught the man's heel as he was running in front of me.
Me: "Sorry sir"
Him: "That's alright son, but if you step on my dog I'll kill you (smiling)!"
In reply to Ciderslider: Alan Hinkes once asked if he could use my belay anchor to abseil off while a mate and I were winter climbing on Great Gable. I met him again at Almscliff a few weeks later where he kindly offered to "spot" one of my female friends as she was about arse-high to him. He was, shall I say, very "supportive"!! Properly nice guy though.
Rock legend Suzy Quatro asked me to move out of her way (politely, I must add) on a flight to or from Los Angeles. I was astonished by how tiny she was!
Rock legend Suzy Quatro asked me to move out of her way (politely, I must add) on a flight to or from Los Angeles. I was astonished by how tiny she was!
In reply to elsewhere:
Yes, the more Nobel laureates you meet, the more disillusioned you get!
> Back in the late eighties...
> I saw Neville Mott (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1977), spoke briefly to Klaus von Klitzing (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985) and knew Andrey Geim (Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010) reasonably well.
>
> My career progression is just slightly less stellar!
> I saw Neville Mott (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1977), spoke briefly to Klaus von Klitzing (Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985) and knew Andrey Geim (Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010) reasonably well.
>
> My career progression is just slightly less stellar!
Yes, the more Nobel laureates you meet, the more disillusioned you get!
In reply to Ciderslider:
I caused great mirth amongst the older members of Stafford Mountain Club at the 1978 dinner, when as a nervous teenager being introduced to the guest speaker, I addressed him as "Mr Whillans"!
I shared a campsite in Yosemite in 1979 with Nat Allen. A true gentleman.
On the top pitch of Sultans of Swing, my gear sling came undone dumping my rack in to trees below. I had just pulled around on to the headwall and was a bit stranded. Steve Haston soloed (!) out to me with some more gear.
Stood next to and chatted with Annie Lennox when I was at a gig. She was in The Tourists (pre Eurythmics) and they were the support for John Otway and Wild Willy Barret. I thought I was in for a minute until Dave Stewart turned up.
Here in Australia I took my Labrador Scrumpy for a walk along our local beach. There was a muscular black man relaxing in a beach chair. He had a small portable barbeque and was cooking some steaks. Before I could stop her Scrumpy had sprinted over to him and gobbled one of his steaks. I rushed over and apologised profusely. "It's cool mon" he said. It was Viv Richards.
I caused great mirth amongst the older members of Stafford Mountain Club at the 1978 dinner, when as a nervous teenager being introduced to the guest speaker, I addressed him as "Mr Whillans"!
I shared a campsite in Yosemite in 1979 with Nat Allen. A true gentleman.
On the top pitch of Sultans of Swing, my gear sling came undone dumping my rack in to trees below. I had just pulled around on to the headwall and was a bit stranded. Steve Haston soloed (!) out to me with some more gear.
Stood next to and chatted with Annie Lennox when I was at a gig. She was in The Tourists (pre Eurythmics) and they were the support for John Otway and Wild Willy Barret. I thought I was in for a minute until Dave Stewart turned up.
Here in Australia I took my Labrador Scrumpy for a walk along our local beach. There was a muscular black man relaxing in a beach chair. He had a small portable barbeque and was cooking some steaks. Before I could stop her Scrumpy had sprinted over to him and gobbled one of his steaks. I rushed over and apologised profusely. "It's cool mon" he said. It was Viv Richards.
In reply to Ciderslider: A friend of mine used to work for Billy Connely and always wins at this game.
Storys like "Started singing at a wedding with Ewan McGregor, Dogie from Travis and Billy because the music was to slow" are quite common - gets tired after a while, particularly when you've just run into a hero.
Storys like "Started singing at a wedding with Ewan McGregor, Dogie from Travis and Billy because the music was to slow" are quite common - gets tired after a while, particularly when you've just run into a hero.
In reply to Ciderslider: climbing related very few unfortunately; chris bonnington, al rouse and a few others. Non-climbing related - spent time / travelled with many great people. Not all my heros but certainly heroes of others; politicians, too many, bill clinton, margaret thatcher, chris patten, actors /actresses, angelina jolie, sir peter ustinov, jackie chan, ++, sports, lots of man utd players, david beckham, recently dinner with andy cole, moto gp jorge lorenzo and many others, kofi annan, ban ki moon,.... i have a great job. regards
In reply to Ciderslider: Many moons ago (early 80s) I did quite well at the yearly ski races between International schools (held in Seefeld I think) - and was given a few medals & cups over the years by a certain H Harrer... Seemed like a nice guy - the thing I remember most was seeing him afterwards at the outdoors ice rink skating around with a Walkman on..!
In reply to Ciderslider: My feet slipped off an arete and I completely mashed my nuts in front of Ron Fawcett if that counts...
In reply to Dave Garnett:
Possibly true, but I had a great afternoon at the Roaches last year with Bob Grubbs (Nobel Chemistry, 2005), still keen to get out though nearly 70. We did Black Velvet. He was charming, modest, good company - very much a contrast to what one hears about the only other climbing Nobel Laureate I can think of.
> Yes, the more Nobel laureates you meet, the more disillusioned you get!
Possibly true, but I had a great afternoon at the Roaches last year with Bob Grubbs (Nobel Chemistry, 2005), still keen to get out though nearly 70. We did Black Velvet. He was charming, modest, good company - very much a contrast to what one hears about the only other climbing Nobel Laureate I can think of.
In reply to Ciderslider:
My only climbing hero was me was gawping at Steve McClure climbing at the Castle, I was desperatley trying to look cool and not scald myself with coffee.
Otherwise, I have stood the other side of a pane of glass from Richard Attenborough, Stood behind Tim Henman in a queue for the BBQ and bumped into John McEnroe as I exitted the gents. Oh and I've walked past Mariella Frostrup a few times. The dangers of my job
My only climbing hero was me was gawping at Steve McClure climbing at the Castle, I was desperatley trying to look cool and not scald myself with coffee.
Otherwise, I have stood the other side of a pane of glass from Richard Attenborough, Stood behind Tim Henman in a queue for the BBQ and bumped into John McEnroe as I exitted the gents. Oh and I've walked past Mariella Frostrup a few times. The dangers of my job
In reply to Ciderslider: In 1969 I rented a student flat in Bryn Bras Castle in Llanrug.Al Harris turned up to a party one weekend and promptly started a fight with me. I lost.
In reply to Niall Grimes:
Doing yourself a big injustice there Grimer. I met you at Heeley boulder with our two nippers in tow. You were getting in a bit of action while yours slept peacefully in the pram, and I was intent in sending my 4 year old up a vicious layback problem! And I said hello to you again at the farmer's market recently on the bowling green. You're a lot T A L L E R than I thought you'd be feller!
I also met that bloke who played Matt Damon in the union a while back. He had his leg in plaster - something to do with ice climbing..?!
And I occasionally see "the greatest climber in the world" as my studio's next door to his place on mowbray street.
To be less flippant, it is great living in a city where you get to see your neighbours frequently, where you can stop and chat on the street, where you can have a beer with some local legends and where you can still get a pint for well under 2 quid.
Here's my other claim to fame: Johnny Dawes stole my mate's New Look jacket at a party in Nant in 2002. Johnny! I'm always watching you, mate!
cheers
Mike
Doing yourself a big injustice there Grimer. I met you at Heeley boulder with our two nippers in tow. You were getting in a bit of action while yours slept peacefully in the pram, and I was intent in sending my 4 year old up a vicious layback problem! And I said hello to you again at the farmer's market recently on the bowling green. You're a lot T A L L E R than I thought you'd be feller!
I also met that bloke who played Matt Damon in the union a while back. He had his leg in plaster - something to do with ice climbing..?!
And I occasionally see "the greatest climber in the world" as my studio's next door to his place on mowbray street.
To be less flippant, it is great living in a city where you get to see your neighbours frequently, where you can stop and chat on the street, where you can have a beer with some local legends and where you can still get a pint for well under 2 quid.
Here's my other claim to fame: Johnny Dawes stole my mate's New Look jacket at a party in Nant in 2002. Johnny! I'm always watching you, mate!
cheers
Mike
In reply to Richard J:
I can only think of William Shockley - inventor of the transistor, eugenicist and FA of Shockley's Ceiling- but he's dead.
> (In reply to Dave Garnett)
> [...]
He was charming, modest, good company - very much a contrast to what one hears about the only other climbing Nobel Laureate I can think of.> [...]
I can only think of William Shockley - inventor of the transistor, eugenicist and FA of Shockley's Ceiling- but he's dead.
In reply to Ciderslider: I was at the climbing works in sheffield on a rainy day one year failing miserably at a route, when I turned round Ron Fawcett was there and he pointed out the move I was missing. That was a shock.
I met Steven Seagal a few years ago. By met I mean I served him as a waiter. I used to think he was a knob but he tipped me about £30. So now he's a knob that tips well.
I met Steven Seagal a few years ago. By met I mean I served him as a waiter. I used to think he was a knob but he tipped me about £30. So now he's a knob that tips well.
In reply to Ciderslider: Pete O'Sullivan taught me art at school. Many more celebs spotted just by living in the Salcombe area, but one for the future, I used to swim with and am still good friends with Aaron Rickhuss, currently the fastest 18 year old 100 meter freestyler in the country: Remember the name!
In reply to steve deeming: I used to share a house with JS back in the 80s after his epic in Peru, and was at the party in Hayfield with him when he met Jackie
In reply to Ciderslider:Pete Livesey once asked me the waqy to a crag - and I climbed with Al Evans....
In reply to Ciderslider: I met Big Ron earlier this year when my girlfriend and mates took me to one of his lectures and bought me his book which I got signed... I shook his hand a couple of times but was so starstruck I could barely say anything, and he was seemed a bit embarressed by his celebrity, still what an absolute hero!
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