The first piece of solid gear is almost out of the top of the picture, about 1m above his left hand.

what kind of belaying is that holding the rope in just your hand?? Must be a Bean?

Lol, no, it's no-one we know...I was just taking random snaps at the crag.

there's a solid wire halfway between ground and first peg
with that feels like E1. very soft for E3

Not so sure about E1! Maybe E2 if the wire holds, but a micro wire in limestone has a fair chance of pulling through. There was a topic about this recently...most agreed E2. Is till think top-end E2 if you're diong it proper onsight.

Never E3 in a month of sundays. E2 5b

E3 unless you're an idiot who can't grade for sh*t.