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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Climbing > Fontainbleau |
FontainbleauYes, it was a long way to go for a weekend, even one beginning on Thursday evening. But, judging by the fact that I was very much in the minority, not having been before, most people think that the experience justifies the time and energy spent travelling. Fourteen people duly set off in three cars, with a couple of bikes on the back of ours for good measure, and met up again at Dover at 3am. Not too late, or early depending on which way you look at it, for some members of the group to pass the time before the ferry propping up the bar! Breakfast on the boat, and then on to the campsite 15km outside Fontainbleau. Tents were soon pitched, and then the assembled party, all memories of a sleepless night forgotten, were raring to go! A path into the forest revealed a unique landscape. Sandstone boulders strewn as far as the eye could see, interspersed with trees, and deep sand underfoot. In warm sunshine we spent a happy few hours, like children let loose in an adventure playground, looking for coloured spots and arrows painted on the boulders signifying level of difficulty, starting point and direction of movement. Then back to the campsite, where Geoff and Ed had raided the local supermarket for the ingredients for a memorable barbecue. Full marks for the barbecued bananas! Saturday dawned fine but cool, ideal climbing weather. Our destination was an area called "The Elephant", on account of an elephant shaped boulder. We either tackled individual boulder problems, or attempted to follow a coloured, numbered circuit. With encouragement and support (sometimes literally) from each other, I think we were all pleased with what we managed to achieve. We managed to fit in a trip to the town of Fontainbleau in the afternoon, which included a walk through the palace grounds, before a final hour or so at a different climbing area. We then adjourned to a local restaurant for a delicious meal. The journey home took care of Sunday, and we arrived home very tired, but with happy memories of an excellent time. Thanks must go to Jim, Geoff and Ed, for doing all the booking, shopping etc. The whole weekend went so smoothly, and they'd even timetabled in a stop at a wine warehouse in Calais on the way back. So, here's to next year's trip! Helen Tait |