I have been on call so to say for the last few days, just in case there were any last minute questions from the Rockfax team as they put the finishing touches to the guide. Lots of PDF checking and re-checking from me and a small army of helpers, authors, editors and designers. I got the message today that it has gone to the printers and I have to say as with all the book projects I have been involved with there is a heady combination of emotions.
Relief, because all the hard work is over; pride because I tend to try and put everything into the things that I do, and lastly sadness that the project has come to an end. Whilst the first two are expected it is always the third that I think people looking in struggle to understand. For the last 6 months all my spare time has been working on this book to bring it together, before that there was a few months work on both the slate and gogarth chapters. I knew what I was going to be doing if the weather was bad (writing) and if it was good (checking out routes). Tomorrow there is nothing I have to do, I am free and unchained and it is that part that always scares me.
Right now I am sat in front of my computor and for the first time in a long time there is nothing pending. I have a few ideas or mini projects that will sustain me through the rapidally approaching winter months, but having completed two books this year (NWC and Hanging By a Thread) and started doing a house up this year I feel like I need a holiday and there is one on the cards I just need to earn a little bit more money to fund it, not to mention train for it!
Anyway, I have to say a massive thanks to the whole rockfax North Wales Climbs team of Alan, Stephen, Mark G and Jack G. It has been great working for you. Also to all my friends who have been dragged around the classic routes of North Wales during the spectacular summer checking as many routes as possible as we went.