In reply to Toby960: As a middle-aged waddle-mum, and a late starter, there is a huge thrill in being able to climb at all, even at the basic level that I can manage.
Generically it's the exercise, the being in a beautiful place, and the partnership.
More specifically there's that move I couldn't possibly make but did, the fear that I didn't think I could squash to take that step, but I did... I love the triumph of reaching the top, the glow of the beer and the curry afterwards, and the reflection and the writing up of the climbing diary.
Someone mentioned concentration: in a life full of far too many professional and family responsibilities it is liberating to be 100% focused on the rock.
And I love packing up, gearing up, the colours of metal and fleeces, the jingling of gear, and the voices of the river and the birds at Symonds Yat.
And (wheeee!) looking at weather forecast *this morning* and finding that there is sunshine in Snowdonia on Thursday when I'm going there for a long weekend - YESSS!!! (that's this Thursday. Been counting days for weeks)
L