Prime Minister summons Alan James and Mick Ryan to no. 10

© HM Government
Was an everyday morning here in Ambleside, still raining of course. I get up, check emails, check my news feeds and write my list of things to do for the day. Downstairs and put the kettle on for a nice cup of PG Tips and check the mail.

What's this small white envelope? Doesn't look like a bill.

Oh my goodness! It has 10 Downing Street written on the back. I must have done something really bad!

But the address says Mick Ryan, UKClimbing.com. Exciting. Have MI5 been monitoring the forums? Too many climbers critical of New Labour?

Inside is a simple white card that says:

"A Reception for the BMC, in celebration of British Mountaineering.

The Prime Minister requests the honour of the company of:

........Mr. Mick Ryan......

at a Reception at 10 Downing Street, Whitehall on Wednesday 8th 2008, from 5.30 pm to 7.00pm"

I immediately start singing, just like Charlie and Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

"I've got a golden ticket, I've got a golden twinkle in my eye"

I call up and thank Dave Turnbull BMC CEO, Dave asks if Alan James, owner of UKClimbing.com, has his and then has to dash to a meeting with Sport England.

Alan is on holiday in France and Holland with his family so I call him and give him the news. Alan is very surprised indeed.

I must say we are very honoured. See you on the 8th Gordon Brown, PM.....along with 120 or so climbers and mountaineers.

See the BMC news report A reception for the BMC in 'Celebration of British Mountaineering' at No.10 Downing Street for more details.


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15 Aug, 2008
O)
15 Aug, 2008
What do you reckon you could nab? I hear Humphrey is now stuffed and mounted in the hallway - easy pickings. alternatively, you could do a Tetrapack and skin up in the back garden.
15 Aug, 2008
Well done, and to those who've made it happen. Why not give the PM a chalk bag in case his hands get sweaty at the dispatch box?* T. * no, that's not a euphemism.
15 Aug, 2008
They may be putting a mobile climbing tower in No. 10? Superb! Get Gordon to have a go. I'd love to see a picture of him doing that. I remembered talking a friend from Edinburgh whilst bouldering in Salisbury Crag in town. Only had the Queen climbed, then we could all climb again on the crag. So has Gordon invited the Queen as well for a spot of climbing? She's only 82 or something. I'm sure she could still try some VDiffs.
15 Aug, 2008
Well done guys and err...is he going to talk to the Chinese about Everest...or even Tibet in general?
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