Staff Training Day.

I seem to be spending a huge amount of time in the gorges at the minute which is nice while it is so warm. If I am lucky this will continue to be the case as we get this year’s training done for the Coasteering venues over the coming Month.

Today my staff were treated to a species identification and protection morning by one of the Countryside Council for Wales wardens responsible for a gorge we use. Ivan and Claire both found it really useful and when we get the chance more of the instructor team will visit. The morning has given us the ability to make for more informed decisions of how we manage our groups in these sensitive environments.

In the afternoon we went and jumped of waterfalls to practise the rope work used to look after our groups.

::definition 30-4-2010.

Next night confirmed!

::definition

Facebook Page.

Biking and boating.

I had forgotten about Pete coming to visit this weekend as he was in North Wales for a first aid course but it was the motivation to get me out biking on Saturday evening. If it wasn’t for this I may have just settled for Sundays kayaking for the weekend exercise definitely glad I did both.

Saturday saw me out about 2.30 after a quick catnap after a late Friday night, early Saturday breakfast and quick centre turnaround. I had agreed to meet Pete in Conwy to ride the Sychnant Pass and Conwy Mountain trail but this left just enough time to pop to the camera shop in Colwyn Bay for a new lens before he finished the first aid course.

Didn’t manage any good biking pictures but took some pictures of the boats in Conwy Marina while waiting for Pete to arrive, after all had a new toy which had to be used.

Sunday has been spent in Llangollon kayaking on the Dee. I have been promising to get out with Martyn for ages and Sion fancied giving it a go. The river levels where very low but it was good to see the others improving as the day went on despite a few bumps into rocks, I don’t think it would have been as much fun if it was any more pushy.

Sion working hard.

Martyn picking his line.

One of the other lads who was sharing eddies with us.

Puffing and Squawking.

A real day of contrasts; blazing hot sun to make lugging kit around in wetsuits hard work and water cold enough to take the guests breath away, see the photo below of their faces when they realised how great a contrast we had in temperatures today. What a great day’s work, the gorge looked fantastic in the continued sun we are having at the moment.

Having fun on the Cresta Run.

The first time in the water for the group.
A different perspective on instructing from Martyn.
Touch down on the zip line (photo by Martyn).

All in a day’s work.

The below picture is the Llanberis Pass this evening, I was lucky enough to be watching the sky change colours while lying on a rock below the Cromlech. All in an evening’s work along with pertaining to be an Eastern European spy by the name of Yuri overseeing a drop off of top secret information.

Where did I go?

With such a prolonged spell of good weather it would have been criminal not to find some personal play time in addition to the coasteering and canyoning I have planned for work this week. Managed to get out biking with Martyn and Sarah so good to catch up with them even if it meant I was puffing a bit to keep up. All in all a lovely ride and excellent map reading skills from Sarah made for a good explore around the LLyn Elsi area above Betws y Coed, not exactly sure where I went though, although I recognised some bits of trails from previous rides. The big bonus of the day was that for what seems like the first ride in ages my bike doesn’t need another trip to the bike shop, home in one piece, the benefit of not riding the Llanberis slate quarries I guess.

One of only a few times Sarah was behind me to get a photo.

Llyn Padarn.

Llyn Padarn with an evening sunset from tonight's wander.

Team Presentation Evening.

Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of being able to attend Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters for a Princes Trust Team final presentation. This was the culmination of 12 weeks hard work by the team on personal development and community projects. I worked with them 10 weeks ago and it was really nice to see how they had all progressed and to hear all the stories and fond memories.

The Team 12 weeks on.

Wheeeeeee!

Went to the pot on Thursday morning for some staff play time sliding off waterfalls.

Claire on her way.

Busy Easter.

I have just come out of the far end of a very busy Easter, not much in the way of activities but the centre was very busy with some large groups staying. This does mean I have not managed to get out much but have managed to get another pair of speakers built for the sound system. The latest are Fane designed 125 litre reflex sub loaded with a Fane 15XB 800w Colossus.

The latest project finished.