Thanks

A couple of thanks in this post. Firstly to everyone who sponsored me in the Manchester 10k, I think in total we managed to raise £300 for the Make a Wish Charity (the exact amount I'm not sure yet as some donations got posted direct).

Secondly thanks to everyone who came to see Ranulph Fiennes interviewed by me at Buxton Opera House. This was Ran and my first attempt at this format and we were pleased with how it went. The main reason it was a success was down to the audience who were on fine form - it makes it so much easier up on stage when you know that everyone listening are up for a good night. We are hoping to see if we can tour this show - perhaps next year? I would be interested if anyone reading was there if you have any feedback - what worked and what could be improved. Also if you would like to see the show in your area let me know if you have a big theatre (700 plus seater).

Special Sheffield Gig

I'm doing a few lectures in November and December, the first of which is something a little different. A double Header with Andy Kirkpatrick. Andy and I know each other far too well having shared many adventures, so it will be interesting to see how this one goes. Andy is getting more "unstable" in his latter years so I've no idea what exactly he has in store - I doubt he has much idea either, but you can bank on it being side splittingly funny. I'll probably dish the dirt first on our epic attempt to repeat the Lafaille route on the Dru, and then talk a bit about our climb on El Cap with paraplegic Phil Packer which helped him raise a Million quid for Help for Heroes.

The title of the show is Freezing Nuts, its on Thursday 26 Nov at The Foundry (not the climbing wall) at Sheffield University Union. Doors open 7:30pm and tickets are £9 (£6 NUS) and can be got from the Union Box Office 0114 222 8777 as well as the Sheffield City Hall, the Sheffield Arena and most Sheffield Theatres.

Lecture season

With the nights drawing in (sorry to remind summer rock climbers of this - but for us winter climbers its quite exciting) and evening cragging becoming less and less of a possibility you might want to keep up your motivation with a lecture series I'm doing with Kenton Cool. "Vertigo" will feature us doing 50mins to an hour show each on our adventures on Everest, the Eiger and Annapurna III. We're beavering away at the moment to make this our best show yet with new film clips, images and lots of hair raising but funny stories. For more info see http://www.speakersfromtheedge.com/tours.htm .

These shows should be a superb evening out, hopefully see you there. Click on the links below for booking info.

Friday 10 October / OXFORD / Oxford Playhouse / Box office: 01865 305305
Saturday 11 October / SALFORD / The Lowry / Box office: 0870 787 5780
Monday 13 October / WORTHING / Worthing Theatres / Box office: 01903 206206
Wednesday 15 October / DERBY / Assembly Rooms / Box office: 01332 255 800
Friday 17 October / ANDOVER / The Lights / Box office: 01264 368368
Wednesday 22 October / BARROW-in-FURNESS / Forum 28 / Box office: 01229 82 00 00
Thursday 6 November/ CAERNARFON / Galeri Box office: 01286 685222
Saturday 15 November / PITLOCHRY / Festival Theatre / Box office: 01796 484626

Forthcoming lecture - Abergavenny

10 days up a route on the Dru in winter

I've not been lecturing for a little while so I'm pretty excited for this coming Saturday (24th May) when I will be doing a lecture at the Borough Theatre in Abergavenny at 7.30pm (Tel 01873850805)

The event is hosted by the Abergavenny Camera Club so it will be a little different than my usual show with more of a concentration on what goes on to get images like the one above. Their web link is: http://www.abergavennycameraclub.org.uk/Club_News/Entries/2008/5/24_Ian_Parnell_-_High_Focus.html)