I was a little surprised to be asked to put on a rock climbing party in the cold of December, but we seem to have got away with it. Two years ago, I was asked to do a high ropes session for Tara's birthday. This time round she was up for something a bit more adventurous and rugged, and was prepared to tyke a chance … Read More »
Category Archives: Featured
Adventure Education Weekend with Oswestry School
I'm very fortunate with my work to get to do some awesome things with fantastic people in great places. The Adventure Education weekends with Oswestry School have become one of my favourite fixtures in my work diary. It's brilliant to get to work with young people with a desire to learn skills, push themselves and have responsible fun in the outdoors. This time we had cadets … Read More »
Silver DofE Assessed Expedition in the Berwyns
It feels like I've been working on this Silver DofE expedition with these four young men for years now. It's only been 4 months, but we've come a long way in that time. Having done their training in April, and conducted a very successful practice expedition in May/June, it seems about time that Tom, Alfie, Jack and Jonathan should get their assessed expedition out of … Read More »
5 Day Rock Climbing Course
I thoroughly enjoy running courses through CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training), due to the skills progression and coaching that takes place over the duration of a 5 day course, and this weeks rock climbing course was no exception. It's great to see people with a genuine interest in learning skills progress in such a concentrated timescale. The courses are open to members of the … Read More »
Alfie’s Welsh 3000s Mountain Challenge
Up until now now, I've always written my own blog entries. However, sharing this attempt at the Welsh 3000s (or 15 Peaks) with Alfie, my son, was both unusual and special. So I'm going to let you hear about our experience from his perspective: I don't know what you already know about the fifteen peaks (or think you know) but believe me when I say, "it's … Read More »
Kayaking at Wathgil CCF Central Camp
If you're going to be sat on the water for 2 weeks, you couldn't really get a better stretch of weather as we've just enjoyed. The CCF central camp at Wathgil ran for 3 weeks but, being with my own Contingent down in Cornwall during week one, meant that I was only available for the last two weeks. I went with my own unit to Wathgil … Read More »
Whitewater CPD at the Tees Barrage
Although we've been paddling a lot for the last 10 days, it's all been on flat water running sessions for cadets on their central camp. However, a couple of us decided to head up to the Tees barrage. I'd never been there before, but two of the others seem to have used the venue quite a bit and thought it would ring the changes. So, with … Read More »
Ellesmere College 15 Peaks Challenge
Many years ago, Ellesmere College would run an annual attempt at the '15 Peaks' for those older pupils that were daft enough to try it. The official challenge (also known as the '14 Peaks' before an extra was added, or the 'Welsh 3000s') involves standing on the top of all of Wales' 3000 foot mountains within the space of 24 hours. The 'National 3 Peaks' … Read More »
Gold DofE Practice with Shrewsbury School
Having spent last week with Shrewsbury School, working on their Bronze DofE assessed expeditions, I was drafted in at relatively short notice to supervise a Gold DofE Practice expedition. They were actually due to do their practice in April, but it had to be postponed due to the excessive snow for the time of year. The group will be doing their assessed expedition in the … Read More »
Arthog with Ellesmere Primary School
The last two days have been a little strange for me. My local primary school were sending their Year 6 pupils to Arthog, a Local Authority Outdoor Education Centre on the Welsh West coast. I'm actually Chair of Governors at the school and, with the school being a little short staffed, I found myself being asked to go as a member of the staff team. … Read More »
