St David's Day

Roll on St David's Day - the national day of celebration within Wales on March 1st.

I am hoping that our St David's Day this year will be a combined celebration when Wales beat France tomorrow night at the Millenium Stadium. If we do, I will still being singing Shaun Edwards' favourite 'Saturday Night at the Movies' on Monday morning!

I didn't realise that at one time (back in 2006), the Welsh campaigned for St David's Day to become a recognised bank holiday - but Tony Blair rejected the proposition. I guess it would have meant us having to sacrifice a different bank holiday instead.

Every year a variety of parades and festivities are held across Wales to celebrate our patron saint of Wales with this year being no exception.

St David's Day celebrations in Cardiff will include concerts, a parade and a food festival. The events will kick off tomorrow, 26th February with the third annual Really Welsh Food Festival in the city centre. Featuring all welsh produce the festival will continue over 27th and 28th February inclusive.

The changing of the guard will commence at Cardiff Castle's south gate on 27th and 28th February by the soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment.

Visitors to Cardiff Castle on March 1st will be given a FREE tube of daffodil bulbs to commemorate the day. I think that's a really sweet touch....

Although the parade in Cardiff is the largest staged, Colwyn Bay in North Wales create an annual parade through the centre of the town too.

For me, I have two poignant memories of traditions that I most associate with St David's Day...

Firstly, being in school and performing in the Eisteddfod singing and performing in Welsh wearing my little Welsh lady costume. Mum thought I looked adorable with my curly hair under the hat!!

Secondly for me was returning home for good old fashioned cawl - vegetables only for me mind.

It is amazing the recognition a bowl of cawl has throughout Wales during the winter months - you see it advertised in cafes everywhere. Mind you cawl goes down a storm as half time grub at the pubs when Wales are playing rugby!

Don't forget your daffodil and wherever you are in Wales enjoy your St David's celebrations.

Come on Wales!

Marvellous Mother's Day

Activity Wales are offering great Mother's Day treats for mums of all ages and individuality!

It is pretty cool that there is a day dedicated to all mums in the world, to spoil them and appreciate all that they do for us all year. Though a daughter's day may be something to think about for the future...!

I do think though that it shouldn't be just the one day that we show our mums we care, I mean I like to think that throughout the year I do have a few caring moments. It's all about the unexpected for me - the element of surprise. This is just me expressing a thought.

Anyhow, Mothering Sunday is to be celebrated this year on Sunday 14th March. I just don't know where the time goes. I'll be soon to be typing about Father's Day in June before I know it.

Are you struggling yet again this year for a few ideas? I say let our Activity Wales team do all the hard work for you. There is no need for this to be a tiresome task.

Our Activity Wales Experience Day Gift Ideas are the perfect treat this year.

The obvious choice would be the relaxing Spa Day, kicking back and enjoying the sights across the bay complete with massage and manicure. All that aroma doesn't just have to be for mum you know - and that's the best bit! Fancy keeping her company?

I would say something like Horse Riding would be a pretty hot choice too. Trekking across the superb Welsh countryside, trotting across the coast, galloping along the water's edge. Horse Riding is an activity that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. There is something special about experiencing our Wales on horseback.

I do appreciate that bobbing along on a horse may not appeal to everyone out there. How about experiencing our terrific Pembrokeshire coastline up in the air? Embrace the grace of flying like a bird.

Our Activity Wales Pleasure Flights are perfect for a glorious Mothering Sunday morning or late afternoon, with the sea shining and blanket of clear blue sky all around.

If mum may feel a little too relaxed just sitting back and admiring Pembrokeshire, then opt for a Flying Lesson around the coastline instead. Yes, mum can have the opportunity to take the controls and learn to fly the aircraft all by herself! I suggest mum does this one alone...

The above activities are literally a few hand picked Experience Day's that I chose to give you an idea of what Activity Wales can offer your mum this Mother's Day.

For the whole selection visit http://www.activitywales.com/ and take part in our simple activity gift search.

If you think that your mum deserves a little extra this year, then there is always our Activity Wales finest selection of Mother's Day packages available to discover online too. A break away for a few nights maybe the clincher to earn a few extra brownie points this year!

If you need any help or advice along the way then please feel free to contact a member of our Activity Wales team on 01437 766 888 or e-mail info@activitywales.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

Activity Wales joins Facebook

Activity Wales has recently joined the Facebook revolution!

Our Facebook fan page has been up and running for just over a week and already we have had 300 fans join and our group of like minded 'activity' people is growing day by day.

Our Facebook fan page has been created to keep you up to date with everything that is going on within the activity scene in Wales and will be regularly updated to highlight special offers, news and events of interest.

Become a fan and embrace the world of Activity Wales and join in with discussions, leave comments and add your images and videos for all fellow fans to appreciate.