*NOTE: This post was written by our former Blog Colleague, Sire Godefroy. WordPress seems to have transferred all his posts to me*
Some might have noticed slight changes to our base camp recently. Tents have been stricken, sleeping bags rolled up and backpacks were prepared. And there is a reason to it.
The last couple of months have been very difficult for me due to the infamous real life issues™ (job hunting, for instance), and there’s no improvement in sight yet. My dear comrades have dragged me for a bit, but I’ve finally taken the decision to leave the expedition now.
This is with a heavy heart indeed, since I very much enjoyed our mountain tours during the last year and a half, and it was such an exciting experience to see this whole joint venture taking off. Unfortunately, though, I cannot see me contributing to the project in any consistent way, and I feel a clear cut at this point is just the right thing to do. However, please rest assured that my ‘retirement’ won’t affect the current course of this site as the lads are eager to carry on. My contributions so far will also stay on exhibition here at base camp, of course. And, who knows, if time allows I might even join in as a visiting traveller on future tours.
For the time being, I’d like to refer anybody who wants to get or stay in touch with me to my “new” old blog and/or my twitter feed. There might appear some ‘in-betweens’ and random ramblings on hobby stuff now and then, and at the same places it will be announced if and where I’ll go from there.
For now I want to thank anyone who’s bore with me so far, thanks also to all those visitors and commentators, and special thanks go out, of course, to my dear mates Jan and Dimi for such a great time here At the Mountains of Lead. See you all at the campfire!
At the Mountains of Lead 
Sire Godfrey, it is no disgrace to ease down the slopes back to Base Camp, Sir. Your contributions to the expedition have been memorable and of the highest standard. There are many of us at Base Camp, intermittently waiting for the (Real World) weather to clear slightly before returning to the mountain slopes. We can promise you a warm campfire, good company, a fine selection of tinned food and brandy, as well as some rather grumpy Llamas. (Sorry about the Llamas). From here we have an excellent view of your intrepid comrades continuing their ascent on the mountain slopes, as well as being able to assist you when once again you venture out into the snow bound passes!
🙂
It is a real damper when real life gets in the way of having fun. I’m sure you will be able to hit the slopes again with your comrades.
Christopher
I for one will miss having Sire Godfrey around. His firm grip on the rope and his sense of orientation have been critical for us not to lose our way up on the slopes many a time. It’s been a blast doing this with you, mate, and I am glad you were a part of it.
On the other hand, I can very much understand your real life getting in the way and I admire you for taking a decision rather than fumbling about, like I usually do. 🙂
So, Tilman, thank you for everything; your contribution to the organisational side of things, your amazing posts, your enthusiasm! But we won’t be strangers, so I am not too worried of losing sight of your future endeavours. Perhaps even on a common trail occasionally…
Finally, I am looking forward to continuing the steep climb with my favourite Lieutenant in the whole wide world. 🙂 We’ll brave the elements together, buddy!
Sorry to hear of your departure. I hope real life gets shorted to your advantage and allows you to make a speedy return
Well, there’s certainly no shame in returning to the base camp when storm clouds gather and the wind swells to an orcan! One often must make decisions no matter how hard in order not to get lost betwen all those hill tops, steep mountains and giant glaciers that make up our lives.
I always enjoyed following your progress throughout this journey. Hope we’ll meet again on another route to the top soon.
Good luck and I hope things sort out soon.
Thanks all, it means a lot to me that you’re taking the time to comment! 🙂 And I’m also very impressed that some comments are even in keeping with the mountaineering metaphors. Really made me laugh, and that’s something these days. 😀
Sire Godefroy, keep your chin up, will miss your contributions, good luck with your job hunting, look forward to your return.
Iam sorry. This is Bad news. All the best to you and good luck.
Björn
Airhead & Björn, thanks very much for your comments and wishes, I’m grateful for that. 🙂 Sorry for not replying earlier, just checked the blog now for final log-off. Cheers, guys (and gals)!