My Last Day...

Today is my last day.

Now I know what you all are thinking, that I am leaving the team at Activity Wales and fleeing to America to pursue a successful singing career led by the super gentlemen that is Simon Cowell. But, do not worry, panic or shed a tear, as you are wrong, and I am only off for the weekend to a secret destination.

The reason for it being secret and therefore why I cannot identify the location, is due to me being a terrific partner and whisking Martin off for his 30Th birthday celebrations, and that he is likely to read this at some point before we leave. As I have managed to keep this to myself and a very additional few others since the end of August, I would find it rather devastating if I gave the game away now. I must simply keep my trap shut and stay tight lipped for a little while longer, which for those who know me and work with me daily appreciate how hard this has been for me.

So, why am I pointlessly writing and telling you all something that I cannot tell you? Well I'm not to sure really.

I guess it's because I will be able to share mine and Martin's birthday experience with you all on my return, and believe me there will be story to report!

I will now leave you pondering in a puddle of thoughts to whether we are going Quad Biking in Dulais Valley, having Helicopter Lessons at Whizzard, or joining Jack Osbourne in the Sahara Desert for this weeks episode with Josh Hartnett. I know I'd be hoping for the latter!

This is now Natalie signing off for the weekend, and fear not I will be back in the very near future with stupid stories, the revelation of my secret location and amazing activities to experience in Wales!

Witness Whizzardry!

I am very excited to inform all you guys, girls and young terrors out there of a brand new provider that we are delighted to bring to you all, courtesy of Whizzard Helicopters.

Located in Welshpool Powys, they bring bounds of fun, offering Helicopter Pleasure Flights to presenting you with the opportunity to try your hand dipping and diving, operating the Helicopter yourself. But of course, you will not find yourself in a similar situation as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses and his turmoil to control his Para glider, as you will, at all times, be accompanied by a highly qualified instructor.

If you are an avid fan of Only Fools and Horses, you will appreciate my little reference to the hilarious episode above, if not (tut tut), I shall now make you familiar.

Basically, Del and Rodney continue to compete against one another throughout the episode to steal a young lady's heart, who happens to be highly interested in Paragliding. During the heated competition, Rodney believes a glorious sun-kissed tan will make her weak, and jumps on the sunbed. Big mistake while old Del Boy's on the prowl. Del feels he isn't getting much of a tan, and so cranks it up to high, Rodney falls asleep. Ouch.

Waking up, Rodney is rather sore and seeing red, looking remarkably like a Baboons bottom and seeking revenge. He gladly accompanies Del to the hills, where he has announced to the lady that he is a terrific para glider, cue a recipe for disaster. But Del is no silly billy. He arranges with Rodney, that just when he is about to take off, Rodney is to shout out in front of everyone that the 'car phone' is ringing and Del must leave urgently. Sorted? I don't think so.

All kitted up, Del is ready to hear his loyal brothers call. Surprisingly, it doesn't come. So, thinking Rodney has forgotten, Del prompts him, ''Is that our car phone I can hear ringing Rodney?'' Rodney happily replies, ''We haven't got a car phone!'' Absolute class, gets me every time. And I am sure you can imagine how Del returns home! If you would like to watch the episode for real, though you do now know what happens, it is amongst the cracking, 'Tea For Three'.

Well anyway my apologies, I did go off on one then with Only Fools, back to my reason for writing to you all. The magnificent wonders of Whizzard Helicopters. With Christmas just around the corner and Activity Wales knocking at your door with experiences such as this, what are you waiting for. If your loved one is after a surprise this year, then don't you think giving them a few Helicopter Lessons would fit the bill?!

If you would like to take a little time and have a quick look at the Experience Days that we are offering you for Whizzard Helicopters, then please do click here.

Half Term Mayhem!

Since having left College a few years ago, I seem to have lost all knowledge of the school holidays throughout the year. I guess it would due to the fact that I don't really have a reason to be up to date with that sort of thing anymore.
But, oh boy are we soon aware of any break from school, college or uni at Activity Wales. Common symptoms are the constant sound of the phones ringing, late lunch breaks and the presence of a red hot sweat across our brow! All of those symptoms lead to a firm diagnosis. The students are loose and craving excitement!
It really is a fantastic time for all our team though, keeping us busy and up on our toes, working together and helping all you adrenalin junkies out there to give meaning to your holiday!
Talking of adrenalin junkies, I am fixated at the moment with Jack Osbourne. He has got to be American and have been fathered by Ozzie, what a nutter! Mind you, not only does he get jiggy with heights, wrestle with white water and enthusiastically leap from helicopters (he is dangling by a rope mind, he's not that crazy!), he brings a few of his 'friends' with him! I would take my hat off to him if I was wearing one. Go Jack.

I do feel however, that there are plenty of Jack Osbourne wannabes out there in Wales and beyond, who fancy their chances at giving a few daring Activity Wales Experiences a try! Don't worry, they are all led by highly qualified instructors and not Jack himself!

We can offer you so so many mind- blowing episodes lasting from short, snappy taster sessions to action packed and boundless day entertainment! So why not have a browse on the Website and see which experiences tickle your fancy. But be aware, it is impossible to only find one adrenalin fuelled, activity experience that appeals to you. In the slightly amended words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, You will be back.

Short Checklist for direct information: Sky Diving, Quad Biking, White Water Rafting, Rock Climbing and Abseiling, Coasteering and Gorge Walking.

Happy Halloween!

Pretty soon most of us silly spooks will be celebrating the Halloween holiday that occurs (thankfully), only once a year on 31st October. Traditions including costume parties, trick-or-treating, carving Jack-o-Lanterns and Ghost Hunting are amongst the celebrations for many. Especially if you live in America, they just go crazy for all things Halloween!

Being an avid fan of the television programme 'Most Haunted', a would personally love to spend a night in a haunted Welsh Castle, to hear the bumps and bangs disturbing the eerie silence, and lighting candles to brighten up the plentiful dark rooms.

As a youngster, (not that I am that much older now), I loved to dress up as a grumpy, old Witch. I would wear a black bin bag with a hole cut with scissors to pop my head through the top, and rummage through my mums expensive make-up bag in order to decorate myself with lipstick and blusher to enhance my gruesome, witch-like looks. I did always wonder though why my mum insisted drawing a pimple on the end of my nose if I wanted to play witch for the evening. In thinking about it though, I suppose I do associate a Witch with having a crooked, rather large nose with a big, black pimple on the end. I guess that must be the same image for us all, including my mum. But hold on, if it is, then I have spotted a big problem. Mum always popped the pimple on my nose. That's not good.

I guess everyone has there own, unique way of celebrating this chilling time of year, or maybe just not bothering at all. But, if you are open to ideas of partaking in something completely different and intriguing this year, then why not try a haunted break in a Castle, in Wales. You can then let me know how scary you found it, and then maybe I'll book in for next year!

Seriously though, if you do fancy a spooky trip, then through Haunting Breaks, Activity Wales can offer you overnight ghost hunts in Maesmawr Hall and Ruthin Castle. So, what are you devils waiting for?!

And don't worry everyone, I am definitely going to speak with my mum when I return home this evening.

Total Eclipse

I am not writing to you in relation to a Solar Eclipse where the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, resulting in the Sun becoming wholly or partially obscured. Nor am I writing to tell you the sequence in how I eat my Jaffa Cakes, revealing a Full Moon, Half Moon, Total Eclipse.

Instead, I bring the many delights of Eclipse Spa in Pembrokeshire. An extensive list of beauty treatments are on offer, from Body Exfoliation to a Detox Foot Spa, Hot Stone Massage to Pembrokeshire Indoor Sunshine. All served with a welcoming, friendly smile and performed in a professional manner. Perrrfect.

Now then. I know it's slightly premature to mention that jolly festive season that comes knocking at our doors only once a year and has our streets decorated with bright lights and beaming colours. You know, the one where you try to steal a sneaky kiss under the mistletoe and fill your belly with delicious homemade mincepies? Well, I love it how everybody tries to convince themselves that they don't start shopping for pressies or even thinking the word CHRISTMAS until at least November, but we all do. Don't we?!

So, what better present can you think of than to surprise your beautiful older sister or reliable, hard-working mum, than a Gift Voucher to pop along and visit Eclipse Spa in Pembrokeshire?!

Our Experience Day Gift Vouchers are an ideal Gift for any occasion, whether it be CHRISTMAS, a special birthday or simply a good will gesture for a close friend. For more information and many more Experience Days to choose from, click here.

Autumn is in the Air.....Soon!

Waking up to the sun shining, air brisk and not a cloud in the clear blue sky. It's Autumn (well nearly), and I am already loving the fresh feeling that my favourite season brings.

Autumn officially starts on September 22nd, but I woke up this morning, opened my curtains and the sun beamed through my window. I was immediatly convinced that Autumn had arrived. An excuse in my opinion, to tell everyone how awesome Autumn really is.

I think that Autumn bursts individuality, the riot of colours that appear, its a gold rush for Snow Whites Seven Dwarfs. I bet even Grumpy cracks a smile or two when he is witness to the beaming shades!

Well last night, for the first time in around 3 weeks, myself and partner saw the sun shimmering, water as flat as a pancake, and decided to kit ourselves out in our penguin gear, and do a spot of Wakeboarding along the Cleddau Estuary. You could say, that as I confidently leaped into the rather chilly waters, I would have been grateful to have actually been a penguin for that split second!

I couldn't be more certain of my harmony with Autumn after last night though guys. As my desire for Autumn and it's fruitful nature appeared powerfully through my cheeks, fingers and toes. I became a fiery glow of purples, deep reds and oranges, as the icy waters seeped through my wetsuit, and reminded me of how things become, much cooler when Autumn knocks at the door!

However, I do have a method to madness and a reason for sharing my experience with you all. Lets not worry that our Summer time warmth has passed. Instead be active, positive and fearless.

Even when the brisk mornings nudge you to put an extra layer on, or prompt you to turn the heating up, that shouldn't stop you from getting out there and doing what ever you want to do. Whether that be Surfing in St Davids, Kayaking in Pendine or Kite surfing in Newgale; blow yourself away this Autumn and by Spring next year, you'll be diving into a Welsh Indian Ocean!

Brand New and Exciting Tree Tops Trail!

Heatherton Country Sports Park have launched a brand new and adrenalin fuelled challenge for visitors and residents of Pembrokeshire, their very own 'Tree Tops Trail'.

Calling all fit and limber candidates who fancy their chances 25ft up in the trees and being monkey for the day, let's congregate together and experience the adventure!

A combination of rope and wooden bridges teamed with a testing zip line, on both Adult and Junior courses await you, with the help of your experienced instructor to assist you along the way. Separating the sprightly young guns from the antique veterans and the taller from the smaller, your selected course is determined by your love of sweetcorn and aspiration to become the Jolly Green Giant. In other words, your height decides which course you shall go on and tackle.

So, if the 'Tree Tops Trail' appeals to all you daring primates and Tarzan wannabes, please click here for our Experience Days available or give one of our experienced team a quick call on 01437 765 777.