scsgroup

2011-12-06T02:23:00.001-08:00

ht.ly/7PVgm Exciting news! The Windowmaster product range is now available from SCS Group. We're coming to a school near you!

Window Master

2011-12-06T00:13:00.001-08:00

Market leading product range now available from building services delivery experts

SCS Group is now a certified partner of Windowmaster, Europe’s leading supplier of sustainable indoor climate solutions based on natural ventilation through controlled openings in facades and roofs.

What does this mean for you?

The partnership brings together Windowmaster's market-leading product range and the SCS Group’s delivery expertise in building energy management to offer integrated building services installations at lower cost.

Our clients can now benefit from our ability to provide solutions for their entire building services needs, using the best available design, products and service - all at a reduced cost.

If you would like us to quote for a project you are working on where Windowmaster has been specified, please get in touch.

The Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize

2011-11-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

As an engineer it’s great to see our noble profession in the headlines with the recent launch of The Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize. It was nice to hear David Cameron saluting our engineering heritage at the launch too.

But I can’t help thinking the masses must be asking “What is an engineer and why are they important?”.

When I think of an engineer I imagine the guy who mends Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals when they break down even though I’ve been doing it for a living for too many years to count.

Everyone must have their own equivalent image because of the diversity of roles that the title engineer covers; chemical,mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, the list is endless and all of them are completely different jobs. My partner assumes I can mend anything because I went to college to learn how to design building services. In reality, I didn’t pick up a spanner in 4 years!

I sometimes wonder how it was in Brunel’s day, and if he felt the same slight embarrassment when asked what he did for a living, silently hoping the other person wouldn’t follow up with the dreaded “what do you engineer then?”. Rather than my incoherent ramble about building management systems, at least his impressive tales of railways, ships, dockyards, tunnels and so forth could keep the conversation going all night. Rather than killing it dead, which is what my spiel tends to do.

Brunel hard at work

An SCS Group engineer: Spot the difference!

Working in construction as I do it is clear that engineers, at the most basic definition, make our built and natural environment happen. Although it might not be the most glamourous profession and the winner of the Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize is unlikely to be a household name, it is a rewarding and interesting profession that makes a real difference to our living environment and everyday lives.

I heard a comment on Radio 4 today that while obviously very good at high-level engineering, Britain has neglected the so-called ‘middle tier’ for too long. To some extent I’d agree with that. In current economic conditions, the challenge is to keep creating the engineers of the future so we can thrive as a nation when growth returns. The good news is, this can be done at relatively low cost.

As a company we at SCS Group are doing our bit by continuing to employ apprentices and graduate trainees to help secure our own future.

Curtis and Ross: Our latest apprentices

Having come through the apprenticeship route myself I’m a big fan of learning on the job from experienced practitioners. We find it a win-win situation as the mentor tends to up his game to impress the rookie while the apprentice gains valuable life experience doing all the dull and arduous jobs palmed off on him.

It’s not all one way by any means as although our younger recruits wouldn’t know what a slide rule was if it bit them, they are the first port of call for advice on IT-related issues like downloading music (legally of course) and their acceptance of new technology allows them to learn at an ever faster pace.

At our recent Investors in People review the assessor was most taken with our latest crop of apprentices and cooed when they said they wanted to grow up to be just like the senior engineers, most of whom incidentally joined us as trainees or apprentices.

Apprentices don’t cost much and in our experience, develop into loyal, motivated employees that repay the initial leap of faith many times over. With record levels of youth unemployment there’s never been a better time for engineering companies to make a small investment in a better future.

So we engineers are basking in the spotlight at the moment and long may it continue. Who knows someday soon we may be able to come out of the shed at parties and proudly proclaim “I’m an engineer”

New generation of Folding Arm Actuator launched

2011-11-15T05:29:00.001-08:00

Introducing the new improved generation of folding arm. We are delighted to introduce our new, improved folding arm.Precision-designed in response to customer demand and new legislation, our new actuator offers improved performance, durability and flexibility.Benefits to you include:- Opens in under 60 seconds and enables opening angles of up to 140 degrees, complying with EN 12101-2 standards- Improved power - able to open heavier rooflights thanks to force of up to 800N- Rigorously tested with high-performance gears. Tested to up to 20,000 cycles- Intelligent synchronized versions removes risk of damage to rooflights when multiple arms are used on the same rooflight- Unit comes loaded with an Application Programming Interface - allowing you to adjust the force to suit different applications on-site- Aesthetically pleasing design requiring minimal space inside buildingsPrices start from as little as £295.To see for yourself why our best-yet actuator is causing such excitement, see it in action on YouTube here. Or click here for more technical information.To organise a no-obligation demonstration or to place an order email m.washbourne@groupscs.co.uk. Or if you have any enquiries please contact me on 0870 240 6460.

2011-08-02T07:21:00.001-07:00

Why Mother Teresa would have sponsored us. Please help with medical research for children. http://ht.ly/5T6CW

Why Mother Teresa would have sponsored us

2011-08-02T03:21:00.000-07:00

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

These beautiful and profound words were written by Mother Teresa.

On September 3rd SCS Group will be entering 2 teams in the Race the Sun challenge to raise funds for Action for Children. This is no walk in the park. Teams start the challenge at sunrise and attempt to finish by sunset – quite literally racing the sun! They will cycle a total of approximately 50 miles (80kms), hike to the summit of England’s second highest mountain Helvellyn at 3,116ft (950m) and canoe a 2.5 mile (4kms) course on Thirlmere.

Training for the event has been, well, patchy, hampered by the fact that half of the team don't have bikes yet but we’re undaunted and looking forward to the challenge. We aim to raise £3,000 to help medical research aimed at stopping the suffering of babies and children caused by disease and disability.

Before you stop reading, consider this startling fact:

Every year in the UK, over 7,500 babies are stillborn or die before their first birthday. Many more suffer debilitating illnesses or survive complications that can leave them disabled.

Action Medical Research’s Touching Tiny Lives appeal has helped to reduce the number of babies affected by pregnancy complications, to tackle the massive problem of premature birth and to improve the care of sick and vulnerable babies. During the six-year appeal, more than £6 million has been invested in no fewer than 60 Touching Tiny Lives research grants across the country.

We will be paying all of our own costs and taking time out to train and compete in this event and we would really appreciate your help.

You may be thinking that this sounds suspiciously like a bunch of overgrown kids going off on a jolly and expecting others to pay for it in the name of charity. Well, as Mother Teresa would have said...

Think it and donate anyway.

http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/allanmeek

Beko Fridge Freezer Fire Safety Warning

2011-07-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

London Fire Brigade is asking people to check if they own one of the Beko fridge freezer models being blamed for a spate of recent fires in the Capital. http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/news/LatestNewsReleases_PR1554.asp Up to 20 incidents resulting in 15 injuries and a fatality are being blamed on a faulty defrost timer in certain models.The appliances were made between 200 and 2006 and up to 500,000 units may be in use. Beko are requesting that customers call their free phone number 0800 009 4837 to check if their appliance may be one of those requiring repair.
Urgent action is advised as fridge fires can create vast amounts of toxic smoke which is very dangerous, particularly in a confined space like an apartment.
General fire safety advice in the home includes making sure smoke detectors are installed on each floor of the accommodation, having an action plan so occupants know how to escape when needed and to take particular care in kitchens as this is where most domestic fires start. Never leave cooking unattended.
In apartments the common escape routes should be kept clear of smoke to allow people to escape and the fire brigade to access the building to fight the fire. SCS Group offers free expert advice to developers, contractors and owners of buildings to help them comply with building regulations and keep their buildings safe. Their informative guide to smoke control in flats is available from their website. Click the link to download your copy. http://www.smokecontrol.co.uk/downloads/scs_flats%20guide_new.pdf

In the meantime...Greenwich

2010-12-02T02:20:00.000-08:00

There maybe just 23 days to Christmas and while the whole of the UK is smothered in a chilly white blanket, here at SCS HQ, we're basking in the good news that we’re soon to embark on the landmark London project, the Greenwich Peninsula.

Commissioned by Ardmore Construction, we will supply smoke control, an environmental day-to-day solution and car park ventilation on Bellway Homes’ residential units; this includes 19 and 7 storey apartment towers and 2 storey car park.

This exciting new community is just moments away from the historic town for Greenwich and 20 minutes to London’s west end. The new quarter will soon be home to 24,000 people in 10,000 dwellings, with a further 29,000 jobs and over 150 shops and restaurants.

The Greenwich peninsular spans over 190 acres and is profiting from £100 million in investment with residents benefiting from 1.6 miles of waterside living.

Click here find out more about the project and to see great visuals of how it will all look.

Scaling new heights

2010-11-25T08:39:00.001-08:00

This month has seen a first for SCS Group. Working alongside Flaktwoods at Westfield Stratford City, we had the privilege of using a helicopter to pick up and lift vital supplies onto the roof.

Huge fans, ducts and control panels critical to the SCS Group mechanical and natural smoke ventilation solution for the shopping centre, were elegantly lifted into position, whilst we got to keep a close eye on the job from a safe distance. It all went off without a hitch and with much excitement from the onsite team.

The Importance of Firefighting Access

2010-11-24T08:13:00.000-08:00

News of the fatalities in the recent Shanghai apartment blaze has highlighted the safety challenges involved with high rise buildings and is a harsh reminder of the importance of regular fire risk assessments, as well as the significance of fire fighting access in high-rise buildings and the need for tight fire prevention measures.

Thankfully in the UK such assessments are legal requirements, but statistics show that there are still over 50,000 fires in dwellings in the UK annually with more than 300 fatalities, most of which are caused by the effects of smoke.

Building regulations in England and Wales dictate that common escape routes are protected to aid residents when exiting the building in the event of a fire and to assist firefighters needing to enter the building during an incident. Any building above 18m in height also requires a firefighting shaft, with smoke ventilation.

Firefighting shafts assist firefighters to reach floors further away from the building's access point, enabling firefighting operations to start quickly and in relative safety.

For further information on smoke control solutions visit www.groupscs.co.uk

2010-08-09T04:33:00.001-07:00

Exciting new business growth network lead by former Welsh coach Alan Davies. Only 21 places available. Get involved. http://ow.ly/2mRp2

2010-08-09T04:24:00.001-07:00

When is it ok to punch your boss in the face? http://ping.fm/hzz78

Launch of Collaborative Alliance for Business Growth

2010-08-09T03:39:00.000-07:00

Alan Davies, the former Wales rugby coach and Welsh head of Telos Partners is launching an exciting new venture bringing world class organisational development to South Wales.

What is it?

A network of owners or chief executives of businesses in South Wales facilitated by Telos Partners the leading organisational development consultant. the network will meet regularly and experience some of the learning activities Telos regularly deliver to the likes of Microsoft and BT Global worldwide at a fraction of the commercial cost. Members will be carefully selected to ensure there are no competitors in a group to enable frank and open discussions to help find positive outcomes to challenges being faced by members. The format is similar to that of groups like Vistage or Academy for Chief Executives, with the added edge of access to the Telo intellectual capital and world class coaching from the likes of Alan Davies and Rosie Mayes.

Why join?

It can be lonely being in charge of an organisation, particularly in difficult conditions, and as employees often tend to agree with the leader, the lack of challenge can lead to staleness and low motivation. The group will be your enthusiastic board of supporters and will be able to ask the questions your employees wouldn't and offer guidance from their own experience that will help you get where you want to go much faster than you would alone. In addition you get the opportunity to contribute to the success of your fellow members organisations.

How does is work

The group will meet regularly, initially quarterly and engage in development activities arranged by Telos, which may include expert speakers on relevant topics, and there will be opportunities for the group to work on current issues being experienced by members to help generate solutions to facilitate growth and improvement. Between group meetings members will receive one to one coaching from Telos coaches to maintain momentum.

What does it cost?

The monthly fee is just £150, which includes 4 full day meetings and 2 coaching sessions per year. Additional coaching and special events will also be available at discounted rates for members of the alliance.

How do I get involved?

The first event is on September 21st and this will be a taster day so you can come along for free and experience what it's all about. The day will run from 10.30 - 4.30 in Cardiff (venue to be confirmed) and will feature some great learning activities and is guaranteed to make you think differently. To secure your place email Tim Harrison at Telos timharrison@telospartners.com

Member numbers for the first group are strictly limited to 21 so if you already think this is for you then you can sign up before the event and guarantee your place in the group. Do this by contacting Tim or if you would like an informal chat contact Alan Davies or Rosie Mayes at the Telos Cardiff office on 02920 899324

Employee Breaks Bosses Nose Shocker

2010-08-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

SCS employee Chris Connolly squashed MD Allan Meek's beak yesterday and got a pat on the back from said victim. The pair were sparring in preparation for an upcoming White Collar Boxing night in aid of Marie Curie in Cardiff's Coal Exchange on Friday 13th August and Chris got the better of Allan on this ocassion forcing a premature end to the session. .A frustrated but optomistic Allan said "Chris boxed really well today and I'm pleased with his form going into Friday's show, I got my tactics totally wrong today and he took full advantage. I should be ok for Friday and am looking forward to a great night." Chris added "It's usually me that gets a bloody nose so I know what it's like. Although we punch each other in the head a lot we have a laugh about it when we get back in the office the next day and there's never any hard feelings." As Neil Munn, coach at Penarth ABC where the boys train would say "If you go swimming you're going to get wet".

Tickets for Friday's dinner show are available priced at £50 from Allan Meek a.meek@groupscsco.uk

2010-07-30T06:20:00.001-07:00

A few tables available for Marie Curie White Collar Boxing in Coal Exchange Cardiff August 13th. Top night out - unless you're boxing!

2010-07-26T02:14:00.001-07:00

How the London Olympic site might look in 2040 on Guardian site. http://ow.ly/2gtr1 Great time to be in uk construction creating this

2010-07-21T03:21:00.001-07:00

SCS Office boxing practice. Good clean fun! http://ow.ly/2eo3K

SCS boys get in the ring for charity

2010-07-14T00:46:00.000-07:00

SCS Group employees Allan Meek and Chris Connolly will be boxing on a charity white collar boxing night in The Coal Exchange, Cardiff on August 13th. The show is in aid of Marie Curie cancer care and will feature boxers from local clubs including Penarth where the SCS lads train under former pro Neil Munn. Neil commented "I take my hat off to all of the boxers who train so hard to put on a great show". Also signed up to fight are barrister Kevin Seal and Barratt Director Huw Llewellyn. Following the success of previous events this promises to be another sellout with BBC wales covering the night for the Sport Wales programme. Some tables are still available at £500 for 10 people which includes a 3 course dinner and other entertainment. For tickets contact Neil Munn on 07773 550401.

Climbing Mont Blanc Without Training

2010-06-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

It began on a trek to Everest Base Camp last November where I met a crazy lad from Dubin called Cian who wants to get to the summit in 2012. We hit it off and hatched a haphazard plot to climb a 6,200m mountain called Labuche after we got to base camp and did it with no training or insurance and hired kit and luckily a really cool climbing sherpa who managed to get us up and down in one piece.

We stayed in touch and he asked me if I wanted to climb in the Alps with an all Irish crew and not being able to say no to anything I agreed, fully intending to do some training and learn to climb before I went. Well events overtook me and I picked up some injuries doing other sports and up until about 3 days before leaving still wasn't sure if I was going, but committed at the last minute and borrowed a load of kit from a mate the day before and set off with some trepidation. I am generally a pretty fit bloke but all of my training is about short bursts, boxing, and sprint triathlons and very little stamina work and I absolutely hate walking, particularly uphill! Flew into Geneva from Bristol and managed to get a lift in a private airport shuttle with a lovely English guy who moved to France 7 years ago with his family and now lives in Chamonix and did a great selling job on the lifestyle and seemed pretty chilled and happy with his lot. Our base was a chalet in Argentieres called the White Chalet http://www.thewhitechalet.com/run by a lovely English lad called Martin who is a brilliant cook. Met the other 8 in the team, 7 men and one girl, Lisa, and they seemed like a fun crowd. Settled into a room of 4 with Cian and 2 police divers (or frogmen as they used to be called in my day), Enda and Danny who looked pretty fit and strong. Most of the team had little climbing experience so we were all in the same boat except Michael who had done quite a lot and attempted Mont Blanc twice before but been beaten by the weather. The weather when we arrived was bad with heavy rain and it had been so for a couple of weeks but was predicted to improve. Robbie our guide came over in the evening to brief us on the week and after a substantial dinner and a few too many glasses of red wine we had a fairly early night to prepare for the next day, our first day's climbing.

We left at about 8.15 after a hearty breakfast of porridge and bread and jam and got a train to Matigny in Switzerland where we got some provisions at the station. I'm a big fan of Upper Crust at Cardiff Station but the baguettes at this station assembled to order by a blonde French lady were something else, even at 10 euro a go! From the station it was a minibus to a chairlift up the mountain in the freezing cold and rain. From the top of the lift it was about a 3 hour quite hard walk up the mountain to the hut where we would spend the night - Cabin D'Orny. This was the shock I'd been fearing as I remembered just how much I detest walking uphill and realised how unprepared I was for the next week. Got to hut and picked our beds in dorm, 8 to a room basically sleeping elbow to elbow in 4 berth beds, then had a cup of tea and ate our sandwiches before going out for some training. Got all our kit on for the first time, harnesses, crampons, ice axes, and got roped together 4 to a guide. Our second guide was Jimi a cool Swedish guy and very experienced climber and more laid back than the sometimes severe Robbie. Walked around for a couple of hours and did some drills before coming back to hut for dinner. Plenty to eat and afterwards managed to watch some of the football in a private dining room, Bazil v Ivory Coast before getting off to bed for a relatively early night. A tip for would be climbers is take some earplugs, the snoring in a 16 berth dorm can be practically orcehstral.

5am breakfast then off at 6 for the walk across the Orny glacier and back into France. We seemed to be the only people on the mountain and soon the sun came up and lit up the fresh snow making it all seem like some magical fairy kingdom. amazing how fresh snow brings the child out in you and had to resit the urge to slide down every slope on my arse shouting wheeeee! Soon settled into a rhythm and ground out the yards as the going got tough in places and the sweating and wishing I hadn't come set in. The silence is startling with the only sound being the chk, chk of walking poles, the groan of boots crushing the snow and the sound of your breathing, in out, chk, chk, left right for hour after hour while your mind wanders off into strange places, last week's gym workout, staff appraisals, random thoughts like - "you'd never find your golf ball in this" Found walking down the steep slopes hard as I got tired as the snow was deep and my legs stopped doing as they were told and took on a bambyesque gait which resulted in my crampons frequently slashing the bottoms of my goretex overtrousers giving me a sort of Alpine Robinson Crusoe look.

Walked back across the glacier into France and got a cable car down into a town (no idea where?) and got a lift back to the chalet. I'd borrowed a pair of heavy plastic boots that were probably a bit over the top for this trip and on the way down the leftone started hurting my ankle quite badly and my old calf injury began throbbing and I had a bit of concern about my ability to get throuh the week. Cian had the same problem as he had some seriously heavy duty high altitude boots he'd bought from a mate who'd climbed Everest in them and was suffering too. When we got back to Argentieres we went and hired some more lightweight Alpine boots and felt a bit happier about the coming challenges. Bought a pair of gaiters as well to protect what was left of my trousers even through I had an unworn pair at home that I hadn't brought as they weren't on the kit list. Grr! Went for a beer with some of the team in a bar in the town and watched a bit of Wimbledon. A good dinner in the chalet and an early night with Fyfe Dangerfield on ipod to remind me of my girlfiend feeling nicely tired. The diving boys were meticulous about their kit and spent a lot of time packing and unpacking their bags and deciding what to take. Cian and myself were a bit more relaxed and I had packed so sparsely I had little choice anyway!

Tuesday morning was a drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to italy and a steady climb up to the Torino Hut for the night. This was the best hut we stayed in with running water and great food and everyone excited about our Gran Paradiso summit attempt in the morning. We had bad news however as Robbie said we would nbot have time to go back to the chalet after the climb as originally planned and would be going straight to Mont Blanc from Italy so we had to manage with whatever kit we had. Wearing the same socks and boxers for 4 days didn't bother me in the slightest but I was sorely pissed that I had left my phone and ipod charger so would be out of communication and not have music to get me through the slog. Early to bed in 3 storey bunks with a 3.30 alarm call. Up and a quick breakfast then out climbing in darkness at 4am in 2 groups of 4 roped together and to a guide. I climbed with Robbie, our group being Lisa, Enda and Danny and we set off ahead of the others. It was a beautiful morning and the sun started warming the sky soon afer we set off with lots of amazing colours in every direction. The climbing was harder than I expected and my calf was giving me a lot of trouble so I was playing all sorts of mind games to focus on other things to get through it. Frank Sinatra's Come Fly With Me was the soundtrack to most of this climb interspersed with Fyfe Dangerfield, I Love You Endlessly. The climb was steep snow slopes almost all of the way so not at all technical and after about 3 hours Lisa began to tire and needed more frequesnt breaks. Robbie got tough and said we'd have to turn back if we didn't pick up the pace which I thought was very harsh at the time. We all encouraged her and Lisa dug deep and managed to keep going. I did wonder if she was strong enough for this trip and why she had chosen to do it.

We got to the area of the summit at about 8 and the last bit was a climb across a narrow ledge with a bottomless drop to the actual summit which is a small rocky plinth with a statue of the Madonna on it. We managed to get everyone on it and get a couple of photos and then Robbie said we had to turn back to ge to Mont Blanc so the second team who were half way across the ledge had to give up without reaching the summit which was disappointing. We began the long descent and almost immediately the new boots started to hurt my ankle and my toes which were bashing against the front of the boot with every step then an old knee injury joined in and it became a real effort to put one foot in front of the other. Got back to the hut and pcked up quickly and headed down to the car park where we had started the previous day where there was a restaurant. Was really hungry having survived the climb on chcolate bars and an apple. Had a quick bowl of pasta and then we were off again back to France. Met our new guides as we needed a ratio of 2 climbers to one guide for Mont Blanc attempt, so we had John from Sheffield, Farmer from Seattle and Neil from somewhere up North. All were living in France and seemed to really enjoy the lifestyle of climbingin summer and skiing in winter and I was more than a little envious of how chilled they all seemed. Got a cable car up to a mountain railway and from there got crampons on and had a 2 hour walk up into the mountains to the Tette Rousse hut where we would spend the night. The walk was difficult as everyone was already tired from the day's activities and I was aching in too many places to count by the time we made the hut at about 6pm. The hut was packed and our dorm was a damp basement with 16 people in it and everyone was starting to smell quite badly from the exertion and lack of spare clothes. Were in 3rd sitting for dinner so didn't get to bed until about 10, totally knackered with the prospect of a 3.30 start again. Had picked our climbing teams and I was climbing with Cian and John was our guide. Was happy with that. Couldn't sleep for French people farting and Ray snoring next to me in our 4 seater bed so after tossing and turning for a couple of hours it was time to get up and and out. A quick breakfast and then we hit the mountain. Bought a sandwich and a bottle of water from the hut - 7 Euro a go for water be warned! Packed bag with a selection of clothes, started with a thin thermal long sleeved top and a fleece and some lightweight trekking trousers. Seemed too lightweight but planned to be a bit cold rather than too hot. Set off and immediately wondered what the hell I was doing. I was hating every step, my calf was screaming and I was thinking up excuses to stop and go back and wondering if I could face everyone back home if I didn't complete the climb. First section was about 2 hours of quite steep snow leading to a rocky section and the Grand Couloir which is a famous snow gulley that has to be crossed where boulders the size of fridges come hurtling down and aprently about 10 climbers a year are killed here. At the time we crossed it the heavy snow was holding up the stray rocks so it was pretty easy however you could tell from the anxiety of the guides that it is not a place to hang around. Later heard that one of the older guides lost his girlfiend here to a falling rock many years ago.The next 2 hour bit is scrambling up a rocky section, sometimes using hands and bits of stepping up the rocks.

There are fixed wires to hold onto on some of the steeper parts. At the top of this part is the Goutier Hut where we stopped briefly to drink some water and eat our sandwiches before pressing on for the last 2 hour section. On leaving the Goutier which you do through a crazy little tunnel the dome like summit is visible in the distance and in our case in brilliant sunshine. Next part is a fairly easy undulating ridge where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the other mountains and this last about half and hour or so before you get to the really steep last big climb.
A short break for a drink then we were off and the pain really kicked in then and I was suffering a bit. Trying all sorts of mental gymnastics to take my mind off walking and breaking each section down into gym sessions seemed to work for a while so I was treating each hour as a boxing workout and imagining what I'd be doing. The I got a brilliant idea for prisoner rehabilitation which entailed making them climb mountains. Basically the severity of the sentence would dictate which mountain they had to climb and if they gave up they'd be left to fend for themselves without food or water. In my semi delerious state this seemd like one of my better ideas and I was convinced that the re-offending rate would be sure to plummet although it needs a bit more work on the detail. Cian talked non stop and was shooting a video as we walked which started to irritate me hugely.Wanted to put ipod on but worried about remaining battery.

Finally could take it no more so put it on for the last hour and listended to Fyfe Dangerfield which reminded me of my girlfriend and took me away from the pain for a while. Every so often I'd get my head up and have a look around and be blown away by the views, endless crisp white sheets with specks of people crawling along, birds hovering on the thermals and mountains and clouds below us, then back to the slog again. After this listended to Plan B up to the top, probably the first ascent to Pan B I'd venture and fittingly Welcome to Hell was playing as I made it to the pinnacle.

The top is a bit disappointing - just snow with not even a rock to mark the spot! Got some photos and videos and sat for half an hour eating our packed lunches and basking in the glow of achievement while we waited for some more of our guys to get there. Subsequently realised that a photo of you on the top of a mountain is something you might want to display so in future will pay more attention to appearance. Hat was pushed up off my head making me look like Bill Sykes in Oliver after he had robbed a Blacks camping outlet shop. Very disappointing. Soon it got cold and we started the long and painful descent and it was painful. My boots were really hurting my ankles now, rubbing painfully with every step. Passed some of our trip on the way including Mike, the oldest who looked knackered and Francis, one of the fittest who was totally out of it with altitude sicknesss and although we didn't know it then, bound for a hellicopter rescue from the summit.Next was Ray who was on his own with the guide as Lisa had given up and stayed at the last hut before the top, a sort of first aid post. The weather was still perfect with brilliant sunshine and stunning views which allowed you to fully appreciate how far you had come as you overlooked the rest of the Apls below you. Got to the hut and picked up Lisa to bring her down to the Goutier Hut to wait there in relative comfort. Fairly easy run down to Goutier, mainly steep snow with a few ups and downs and quite slow going with Lisa roped on. A quick Coke here then off down with Cian leading and me in the middle and the long rock scrambling section. This was laborious and slow as Cian doesnt like rock climbing much and the route was very busy. By the end of this section my left ankle was screming every time I put my boot down but there was nothing to do but dig in and get on with it. Crossed the Grans Couloir at a breakneck pace with John shouting to go faster or we'd be KILLED by falling rocks the siz of fridges! After that more snow for an hour or so with Cian pulling me and jamming my ankle at every step. Eventually persuaded John to untie me so I could go at my own pace and strolled back to the hut. Got in about 4.15pm - about 12hrs up and down. No idea how this rates but we were the first back by some distance. Sat on rocks outside hut in the sun and vowed never to climb anything ever again.

Admittedly we were very lucky with the weather but I would say the average fit person who can cope with discomfort can climb Mont Blanc with minimal training however post climb my calves were so painful I couldn't run for about 4 weeks afterwards so some hill work would be advisable.

One year later the memory has faded and I'm looking for the next mountain.

2010-06-17T00:52:00.001-07:00

Well done @WorkingWordPR team for scooping Gold at the national CIPR Excellence Awards for S4C switchover campaign. Best PR agency in UK

2010-06-16T05:01:00.001-07:00

OMG! Just made debut as human canonball. Test rode MV August F4, fastest production bike in the world. 3 words. I'm having one!

2010-06-16T03:59:00.001-07:00

@sararobinson81 Err yes he did die but valiantly. Far too busy to test ride motorcycles but showroom next to factory a huge temptation ..

2010-06-16T03:52:00.001-07:00

http://ow.ly/1Z9Rp See video of amazing new actuator for automatic opening windows for both smoke control and passive ventilation.

New Type of Automatic Window Opener

2010-06-16T03:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iau9tDPKfgo See video of brand new innovation from Simon RWA, the Slit Actuator for outward opening windows. This unique actuator can open top, bottom and side hung outward opening windows up to 60 degrees, making it ideal for automatic opening ventilators for smoke control or passive ventilation. The Slit Actuator can open larger windows than a chain drive, up to 2000mm wide x 900mm high, or 900mm wide x 1500mm high. Depending on the window size and orientation it is possible to use single motors or a pair in tandem with integral synchronisation controls such that both motors work in unison to protect the window. The slit Actuator sits parallel to the face of the window so doesn't protrude into the room as a spindle actuator would so is particularly suitable for buildings where a pleasing appearance is required such as high standard commercial or retail constructions. As with all Simon RWA motors this is an extremely reliable and quiet product that is fully tested to European standards. Reliability for 1,000 cycles, and heat tested to classification B300 to EN12101-2.
This product is only available from SCS Group in the UK. http://groupscs.co.uk

2010-06-15T09:34:00.001-07:00

@digitalmarcus Sorry Marcus but the digital version is much better looking than the original.