If you are not British you might think that 7a is not that hard but it's not French grade 7a but UK technical 7a. Only Neil Gresham will know how that equates to a French sport grade but it is likely to be at least 8a+ and quite probably harder. And a lot more dangerous obviously.
"Just smile" really great chat. A real character. There is a commonality amongst these top rock people...they ALL talk from the same page...it must be the self-discipline that extreme rock climbing brings to the game.
Neil is a proper legend. One of my greatest friends as a young climber and just an all round, lovely, diamond of a bloke. It's probably only me who finds the Grant Farquhar reference funny. And that's fine. 😉