I won't look back to regret yesterday...

Having read Sim's brilliant account of his paddling trip in Nepal and seen the video i'm inspired to get away to do big and exciting things!
Fortunately i have my exped to Norway all booked up, and hopefully its going to be as exciting and hilarious as the last trip! We'll have a video camera this time, and some decent camera equipment, so hopefully we can produce a groovy hardcore climbing video! ;-)
It's two weeks to the christmas holiday, and fed up of working already, i have my sites set on some gritty Scottish winter experiences. I think i need a big trip is order this summer, perhaps another alpine venture, or some European sport...

Dream catch me when I fall..

So... it's 1.28 in the morning... I feel 17 again... "foraging for food"...
Three years ago i finished my A levels, had an awesome summer, packed up, then shipped out to Sheffield... This month saw me finish my degree and next month will see me graduate! Where is time going, and what am i doing with my life. This summer will be the shortest for years and before i know it i'll be holding my nose and jumping into the deep end.
Am i ready for another more intensive forth year, yes I'll have a few extra pounds in the bank, but will i be tied to my desk, working my arse of for yet another year, i fear that could be the case. I'm jealous of people, Will finishing up for the summer with big plans for year of traveling, Emma starting out at uni, finding a boyfriend, being a first year, and Marc waiting for the 'go' from the RAF.
I really don't know what i want, i thought i had a plan, i said three years then i was getting a one way ticket to New Zealand, now it another year then i'll get the ticket... will i ever? I'm loving the places I've been to so far, Norway, Vienna, Sardinia, Turin and with more places to add to the list. I guess it's just a case of sitting down and working it out, lets not just wait to see what happens... I'm going to use 'fuck it, lets see what happens' a bit more from now on i think...

Just watch the sunset...

I thought i might write something on here, better than my literature review anyway...

This weekend has really felt like the start of spring, I headed out to the peak district yesterday and although it was bloody windy the sun was out and the fresh air felt good.

The sunset last night was the one of the best for a very long time, the sky was a massive rolling furnace, I always have to stop and admire the sunset, they remind me of all the special people in my life and amazing places i've been too...

I don't like to have the rain on my shoes...

Well bugger me I'm going to be 21 in 3 days time! Can you believe that?! I can't, 21.... and as my mum so nicely put it, its only 9 years until you're 30. Cheers! haha.

So where have i been, whats been going on? Well i had blogged many many times about things that have occurred in the past year, but for the need to move on they've all been removed.
So what has happened in the last year, the last 12 months... A hell of a lot i guess.
I've been to Austria and had one the most best and worst weeks of my life, I broke up with one girlfriend to find myself another one :-). We've had nice days visiting London, aquariums and Zoos. I've passed all of my exams (just), i've been to the Alps and had one of the best adventures of my life! I've had another great summer working at Thorpe, I've seen the new center be built and can't wait for my 5th season to start. I've celebrated birthdays of old friends, we've had BBQ's, nights in, nights out and days at the beach. I've been to Sardinia with great mates to make a week of great memory's. I've started my 3rd year and planning to do another one

and in 3 days time I'm going to turn 21... Grow up? Who knows?

Here you me my friends

I've just had one of the best weekends in a long time...

Fuck you who ever you may be, we are the lads from 863...

"Is this the same Frank?" A question i was just asked and after this evening, looking back i have to say no, no I'm not the same Frank... Tonight is my last night as a cadet, I'm hanging up my uniform and handing my stripes in, Instructor Cadet Senior Sergent C-P is now just Frank... 4 years and 8 months ago i joined 863 Thurston squadron as a quite, shy, reserved 15 year old. I'm leaving as a bold, friendly young man (or in my eyes anyway). I've changed so much, matured, made fantastic friends, picked up so many skills, had so many experiences, lived my life... Now, at least for the time being, I'm saying good bye to all that. I want to stay a part of Thurston and of cadets in general, I want to become a CI and keep my hand in, but i know nothing will compare to standing in front of that squadron of cadets, your friends, your allies and say "officer on parade, dismiss!"

Best time of my life... Thanks guys...

May you paddle through life

with the wind at your back

and your friends by your side,

'Here's to adventure'

It's the way we feel right now...

I spent this past week again at Thorpe for the Forest Festival. It was an awesome week, with pranks and jokes being played everyday! Twenty great kids all with varying disabilities slept at Thorpe all week accompanied by 45 volunteers. During the day another 30 or so kids arrived to take part in the activities. We didn't just have our normal activities on offer the Circus was in all week along with story tellers, musicians, film crews and endless arts and craft activities. Everyone had a great time!