They're really heavy, those great aplombs.

I've always thought the little aplombs are MUCH better suited to back-packing; but they didn't make all that many of them, and I've yet to find one at a price I can afford.

Dear Santa ... please bring me a little aplomb this year

I don't know if Peewiglet is reading this message board, but I hope she is, as I wanted to add that it was reading her Challenge accounts and listening to her podcasts that hugely encouraged me to try the Challenge. Her down-to-earth attitude and the joy that she obviously found in the event were what sold it to me. Thank you!

I, too, hope that Peewiglet is able to get back on the Challenge.

I've just been reading her 2009 Challenge notes, again. (I had the pleasure to meet her that year).

Her way with words and with pictures is thoroughly entertaining and she was becoming established as one of the "characters" on the Challenge.

Shirl is the Kween Of Kool! The Mistress of Monroes! To know is to love her. She Shakes the Leg at Legends, and we adore her!

Last met with Shirl at her new gaff some three ears ago. And she was in mighty form.

Her narratives are inspirational. Huge respect to Phil for making them available once again.

In the past few years we've seen more and more solo women Challengers. Shirl opened all of this up and broke the soi-disant exclusive machismo once and for all. The Challenge mutates at all times - and for myself I welcome the fact that now we are substantially more inclusive. Shirl has always been at the vanguard, and we salute her! An model to many.

Um? We puzzled by this last. Shirl has visited with Mary and myself many the times. House-sat once when we went to Skandi for two weeks. We love her to bits! Killer guitar player . . .