Calanques

"Europeans are always on vacation" a direct quote from my brother as we talked after my trip to the Calanques. Southeast of France between the cities of Cassis and Marseilles is a beautiful stretch of land pleasing to the eyes, rough on the hands, and oh so good for the body.
Yes once again I was on vacation doing great things with friends from the CAF of Mazamet. We made the 'bridge' between a Thursday holiday and the weekend to climb for four days on the limestone big beautiful walls falling directly into the Mediterranean Ocean.
From the second day on my hands were screaming at me to take a break. It having been less than two weeks since i decided to start climbing slowly again, my tender tips begged and I promised to comply every morning, thinking that i would swim that day or just hang out near the walls taking pictures, but when we would arrive at the walls I broke my promise every time. Long route after long route with beautiful delicate slabs like i have never seen, huge juggy overhangs and everything in between. The third day was at a place called En Vau. A lagoon flanked by cliffs on either side, three hundred yards in length and maybe fifty yards in width. Each day was stated in the same manner, wanting to sleep, but the call of cliffs or Laurent calling us got us out of bed. Breakfast, and excited talk of the new sector and new climbs we were going to hit up. Riding or one day walking to the cliffs that beckoned us. Climbed all day mostly one or two routes of three to five pitches and then dive into the chilly water to let our bodies recoup.
Twenty-two routes total, from about 4c to 6c with the last being a beautiful 6c that went for one hundred and ten feet, two sections of bouldering and just a great one to end on. The last few of us who decided to climb until the last possible second got in the car at seven and at twelve were at the house ready to go to bed. Yeah my arm still hurts a little, i don't know what to do about it, but I am glad that i climbed none the less.