In search of the perfect rock shoe

Well, where are we? Last time I wrote Jules was working predator, and looking good for a quick ascent. My elbow was sore and giving me considerable worry. I was keen to start red pointing on Bat Route, but nesting birds had postponed plans. That was over a month ago now. Such is the breakneck pace of my life that as of today, we're pretty much in the same place.

The birds have hatched on Bat Route, and the peregrine has totally failed to do my dirty work for me. The Internet doesn't know much about how long swifts take to nest, but I'm guessing I'm gonna be in business in a month or so. I've done the links to and from the nest without much rest, so if the birds leave and it stays dry, we're game on. That's if hurty elbow allows; he's still a lot hurty.

Jules still hasn't done predator, but is ridiculously close. Her Spanish coach/Torquemada has her training harder than anything I've ever seen. Watch this space.

The only news of any note is that the quest for perfect climbing shoes continues. Why am I so obsessed with shoes? It's probably because for a (not so) modest outlay of cash, you can improve your climbing. It's an instant hit! Previously my heart has gone out to the Sportiva Miura VSs; they're just so precise. But they're not green. The new 5.10 Hornets are the coolest looking boots I've ever seen. That counts for something. Sheffield coffee shop impresario and one-time training guru Matt Smythe used to recommend wearing a baggy harness; it makes you feel thin, and if you feel thin, you feel good. Stu feels good, Stu climbs good! So I quite fancied a pair of green shoes and the fit in the shop felt amazing. £110 duly parted with.

The shoes are also quite a break from the norm; there's no midsole and the rubber is only 2mm thick. They're so soft you can crush them in the palm of your hand. Sadly that means that they're too soft for me, at least on British limestone. The quest continues. I wonder if these are any good?

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