Preseli Venture Ramblings...

Caty turns 20 in Wales

2009-07-14T09:54:00.003+01:00

aahhh....another wander round the blogosphere turned up this lovely blog from Caty - who came to see us on the weekend 10-12 July and celebrated her 20th birthday with us - happy belated birthday Caty! The crumpet covered in squirty cream, with a candle stuck in it, made by Charles, that I found in the fridge at PV last weekend must have belonged to you - I'm not suprised you didn't eat Charles' creation :)

Anyways....lovely blog. Caty braved the 'sheep poop', as well as facing her fears regarding the eating of vegetables. But most of all I love her Abermawr swimming experience, I've seen the photos on facebook and well done for proving that the sea in Wales is actually FINE for swimming in in your bathers - go girl!

"Abermawr Beach is my perfect beach and we were there at the perfect time. The sun was setting making the clouds yellow and pink and purple. There was a cliff on the right side and on the left side and the beach was rocky instead of sandy. I fell in love immediately. Those of us brave (read: stupid) enough stripped to our bathing suits and ran into the water. Let me tell you, if I thought the Channel in Cornwall was cold, the Irish Sea in Wales is even more so.

After dunking my whole body under, I came up screaming. Your skin goes numb eventually but for a few minutes there, it is intense. After wave jumping and allowing our bodies to get used to the water, some of us swam over to some rocks and went climbing. Not the best idea in bathing suits and bare feet especially since the rocks were covered in barnacles and thus very sharp.

It was really fun though and I got to sing "Part of Your World" from a rock similar to the one in the movie where the ocean crashes up behind her. We left the rocks and Phil and I stayed in the water some more before going and sitting on the sand right at the water line and just staring around us in wonder. The sky looked like a gorgeous still painting because there was no wind."

You can read this and more about Caty's coasteering adventure on her blog.

VisitWales blog competition

2009-07-02T16:03:00.001+01:00

Yay! Check out our badge

Inspirational Adventures in Wales

We're nominated in the VisitWales blog competition, and very pleased we are too.

If you have written lovely words about Wales, or if you have an online collection of great Welsh piccies, you can enter the blog comp too - and win a swanky weekend of love for 2 :)

Family Adventure Holiday feedback

2009-06-17T12:50:00.007+01:00

Here are our guests on our inaugural Preseli Venture Family Adventure Holiday. What a lovely bunch. Gina is on the far left, what a super lady, hopefully she'll be back for some more coasteering and sea kayaking adventures soon. I did try and convince her to relocate her and her husband here...watch this space :)

This is what Gina had to say about her week with Preseli Venture:

"From day one PV made you feel really welcome and that good times were ahead. We were greeted by Libby who was our host and her effervescent personality left you feeling as though you had been given a glass of champagne on arrival.

Lunch was served and we were provided with hearty and wholesome food that was perfect for fuelling us for our surf session in the afternoon. We were greeted by our instructor Jon who had humour and professionalism that quickly reassured us that we were in good hands. He explained to us about the surf and weather conditions and gave instruction that was tailored to individual needs. Having worked in adventure tourism and seen a multitude of teaching styles it was great to see someone who was in the job to enable others to enjoy the outdoors rather than just to boost their ego.

We relaxed in the evening full of gertitude and plumptiousness after Helen and Libby’s cooking and a nice fire stoked to the brim so that we could get toasty after our exertions and watch the greater spotted woodpecker devour nuts through the window on the bird feeder. It was like watching springwatch but without the cheesy jokes. There wasn’t any need for TV because chatting about the days events with drinks from the bar was the way forward.

On Tuesday we kayaked out of a beautiful harbour, exploring inlets and learning new paddling skills. The magic hot chocolate that is provided on every trip was bought out as we stabilised each others kayaks whilst looking out to the blue yonder and being rocked gently by the waves.

In the afternoon after refuelling with more great lunch we went coasteering; scrambling through rocks and seaweed and swimming between rocks as the waves came in was awesome. We got up close and personal with sea creatures and learnt about them as well as getting a buzz from jumping off rocks of increasing heights. We were shown a cave that had the most amazing colours due to its geology and it seemed very surreal supping hot chocolate as we wallowed inside it.

Jumping off a wall of a disused mine, into a blue lagoon rounded off our day nicely and 26ft was high enough for me but others jumped 30ft and it was smiles all around especially as there was no pressure to do a jump but I would recommend getting out of your comfort zone to anyone – it makes you feel more alive.

Wednesday was chill out day and we could do what we wanted which was nice as we got to explore the surrounding area independently and St Davids is well worth a visit with all its history and amazing architecture. As I ventured onto the nearby country lanes, I even got to see coloured horses and foals galloping around at the local stud farm because a loose horse had decided to pay them a visit.

On Thursday we had a group hike along the local coastal path and were dropped off by PV at a start point so that we could do a circular walk back to the centre for lunch. The coastline is breath taking with all its varied flora and fauna and it gave all of us a chance to get to know each other better as we walked and talked.

In the afternoon it was surfing again which we had all chosen to do again rather than mountain biking. The flexibility within PV’s organisation makes it all the more special and we were completely hooked on surfing by the end of the week.

Friday morning was a sad morning; I didn’t want to leave as I’d had such an amazing time and found my wild woman within me! Strangely I’d joined the family week as a lone ranger not fancying a lazy beach holiday and it didn’t matter that I hadn’t bought any family with me because PV made you feel like you were with family (the relatives you actually like!)."

Thanks Gina, we LOVE you too :)

May piccie round up

2009-06-11T17:13:00.008+01:00

I've just been ferreting round in my piccie folder and found a load of May pictures - some I took for the VisitWales guest blog but decided they were too 'random', and some - well - Libby get holds of the camera and takes inappropriate photos in the office. We don't mind though.

So, in no particular order - scarey moth, woodpecker on PV bird table, Sophie table dancing in the office, Michelle's hen group, silver guitar man (found him by chance on Newgale hill), miniature horses, miniature horse riders, handsome Daf, and Jackie pics. Just another month in Pembrokeshire :)

Guest blog a go go!

2009-05-19T16:13:00.003+01:00

Paul asked me if I'd write a guest blog on the www.travelwales.org site. With some trepidation I said 'yes please' and then spent a whole weekend wibbling about it and taking lots of random photos.

This week Preseli Venture ramblings became 'Pembrokeshire ramblings' and also featured on the Wales facebook page - so if you are a big fan of WALES you can be a 'fan' of Wales - yay!

More lovely words, and I mean lovely

2009-05-12T15:07:00.005+01:00

It's nice to get back to work after the weekend and check out the guest book...when someone takes the time to jot a little jolly note down it's much appreciated and gives me a good idea of how the weekend went - while I was watching Daf fall off a horse at the dog show, and trying to stop Billy the dog from humping (too graphic?) other dogs at the dog show it's nice to know that guests here are having a lovely time!

Sarah's words filled our hearts with joy; "Thanks so much for a lovely weekend - loved the food, the activities, the accommodation, the ecover and the compost - everywhere should be like this :) lovely staff, lovely scenery, thanks"

Lovely, lovely, lovely. We love you too Sarah!

Porthgain ladies rowing victory!

2009-05-06T15:13:00.004+01:00

Mel paints a lovely picture of the Porthgain ladies Ella Rose team trip to the Scillies this year on the howies blog.

This is a girl that trained like a trooper in preparation for the racing and then found herself with a dicky back and physically unable to compete. Nonetheless - she came along - goddamit she:

-drove us there
-supported us start to finish
-took piccies of us from a boat
-gave up her Scillies howies t shirt to Hannah - our lastminute rower from Bristol gig club

and even bought the champagne and cakes for after the last race!

What a girl. Mel - we LOVE you, you are a star - bring on Scillies 2010 :)

Old crabby legs...and I don't mean Daf

2009-04-28T16:21:00.004+01:00

Perfect morning at the beach before work. Billy and I skipped along the sand until Daf was ready to head out on his kayak, and then we watched him power his way through the surf. We followed him over to a secret spot, where he lifted his pot, and then headed back into the beach.
Here he is looking handsome.

Billy was keen to check what was in the tub - a big fat lobster perhaps?

No, a couple of crabs, which make great eating too. My mouth is watering. It's nearly 4.30pm, and nearly time to leave the office....and home to a delicious supper. Yum.

Thanks to my celebrity stalker and infamous cat botherer friend, Jackie Morris, for the lovely photos.

Andrea's coasteering adventure!

2009-04-21T12:26:00.003+01:00

Hiya, rambling through the blogosphere as I am prone to do, I found Andrea's rather delightful description of her coasteering adventure here at PV over the Easter weekend,

"The next morning we had breakfast and then got suited up to go coasteering! Coasteering involves swimming, climbing rocks and then jumping off them! We wore wet suits, additional shorts and vests for extra warmth, socks, sneakers, gloves, life vests and helmets.

It must have been a funny sight - there were other people on the beach - watching 10 people in wet suit gear striding into the water and awkwardly trying to climb over slimy rocks while not letting the current take you away. It felt like we were on a secret mission and were trying to sneak through the water. It was really fun though, and once we got in we started to swim around the coast and stopped at various rock formations.

We started off small - first 5 ft jumps and some small climbs and then onto bigger jumps. I think the highest jump I did was about 12 ft - pretty good, considering I had a hard time jumping off the tower at camp. But it's really hard to do all the swimming and climbing and then not jump off - it's a really strange thing to be in all this gear and a helmet and jumping into turquoise water. Along the way our instructors talked about various birds and where the seals come to lay their pups. We also swam into a little cave opening that is open or closed depending on the tide.

It's really cool to be inside a rock and hear the waves crashing and feel the current drag you along. After swimming and jumping we got out of the water and climbed up a big hill that connected to a bath that lead us back to the beach where we started. Again, I think we startled 2 hikers who saw us soaking wet in all our gear walking along a field. But all in all it was really fun and something I would never have done on my own!"

And here she is , our happy little adventurer! Lovely stuff :)

Love and sea kayaking on the Pembrokeshire coast

2009-04-16T17:52:00.009+01:00

Libby and Ant, Preseli Venture's resident star crossed lovers, managed to have a day off work together and set off for their own adventure. Sea kayaking was the order of the day, and they departed from Fishguard Lower Town and headed North up along the coast to a little deserted bay. There they lay out their picnic blanket and stared dreamily into each others eyes, as they enjoyed their sandwiches. Ah, bless. And here are some piccies they took.

If, like Libby and Ant, you would like to explore the Pembrokeshire coastline by sea kayak you might like to check out our SEA KAYAK ODYSSEY sea kayaking events. Sandwiches are of course provided, but doe eyed loved up moments and snogging are of course completely optional :)

Easter a go go

2009-04-09T17:05:00.004+01:00

Easter weekend is upon us, it's shaped up to be a busy one, with 33 guests arriving tomorrow evening for a weekend of fun, adventures, sunshine and....chocolate, yum!

The lodge is fully booked but we do have some spots on adventure days for the following:

Friday 10th April PM family coasteer session
Saturday 11th April AM adult coasteer session
Sunday 12th April AM adult coasteer session
Monday 14th April AM family coasteer session, adult kayak session
Monday 14th April PM coasteer session

If you're up for joining us on one of these sessions give us a bell on 01348 837709!

Spare a thought for the bunnies, and have a lovely weekend.

Lastminute Easter Family Adventure Week availability - 10% off

2009-03-31T11:08:00.012+01:00

We have lastminute availability on our Easter Family Adventure Holiday on the 13-17 April, and we're offering a 10% discount to family groups on this date.

Our new family adventure holiday offers five days of discovery, fun, and exploration on the Pembrokeshire coastline. Family groups stay at the VisitWales graded 5 star eco lodge, enjoy healthy home cooked and locally sourced food, and get the chance to experience adventure activities including coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, and biking.

Active time is balanced with the chance for families to explore the Pembrokeshire National Park coastline at their own pace; local sandy beaches provide the perfect location for chilled out family time – from beachcombing and rockpooling to safe swimming and unspoilt tranquility. Local attractions include dolphin spotting boat trips around offshore islands, fishing trips, horse riding on sandy beaches, through to bat detecting and badger watching!

This family adventure break will give families the chance to get more active together, and offers the perfect opportunity to renew and refresh family bonds and experience some quality family time.

Family groups are welcome to stay for one or two days through to the whole week. We have limited spaces still available on the Easter adventure event on the 13^th – 17^th April and are offering a 10% discount for family groups on this date.

For more info on the event check out family adventure holidays, call us on 01348 837709 or email us info@preseliventure.com

Windsurfing in Pembrokeshire

2009-03-24T11:55:00.001Z

Just found this video, our handsome and friendly National Park ranger Ian Meopham explains the joys of windsurfing in Pembs..is there anything that this man can't do :) ?

Here he is, some lovely climbing (Trevor Massiah anyone?) and surfing (lovely Tonia) vids too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t130BEBijKE

sunny beach to ourselves...just Billy and I

2009-03-19T10:16:00.003Z

It really doesn't get much nicer than this...Billy and I this morning - first footsteps and paw prints on the beach, so warm that it feels like summer. It's going to be a lovely weekend.

Press releases reach into some nooks and crannies...

2009-03-18T16:35:00.003Z

Our 5 star eco lodge press release is still popping up here and there and everywhere!

Energy Saving Trust, as well as eon have both blogged about Preseli Venture's eco credentials, they've picked up on the fact that we run our minibuses on bio diesel - used chip oil.

We like running the buses on chip oil, but it does make us hungry :)

Take your family for a workout in the wild in Pembrokeshire, Wales

2009-03-12T13:43:00.011Z

2009 just might prove to be the year of the 'staycation'; the economic climate combined with a growing environmental awareness could result in families eschewing their flights and holidays abroad and replacing them with a family seaside break closer to home. The central message of the VisitWales 'Holidays Unpackaged' campaign is that holidays are changing, and more people are waking up to the fact that holidays in Wales can offer a real alternative to the formulaic packaged holiday.

Preseli Venture’s new family adventure holiday offers five days of discovery, fun, and exploration on the Pembrokeshire coastline. Family groups stay at the VisitWales graded 5 star eco lodge, enjoy healthy home cooked and locally sourced food, and get the chance to experience adventure activities including coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, and biking.

Active time is balanced with the chance for families to explore the Pembrokeshire National Park coastline at their own pace; local sandy beaches provide the perfect location for chilled out family time – from beachcombing and rockpooling to safe swimming and unspoilt tranquillity. Local attractions include dolphin spotting boat trips around offshore islands, fishing trips, horse riding on sandy beaches, through to bat detecting and badger watching!

According to the Preseli Venture team the family adventure break gives families the chance to get more active together;

‘There is so much in the media about the need for families to move more and eat better; this is a great opportunity to take some exercise in an amazing environment. At home kids might spend a lot of time in front of their playstation or wii – this holiday will give the whole family the chance to get close to nature, have a great workout in the wild, and it’s pretty much the perfect way to renew and refresh family bonds and experience some quality family time’ says Claire Carlile, Preseli Venture's marketing manager.

To find out more about family adventure events and activities visit http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/, email info@preseliventure.com, or call 01348 837709.

To find out more about local Pembrokeshire attractions visit things to do in wales

ENDS

EDITORS NOTES

About Preseli Venture
Preseli Venture is a well established Pembrokeshire based adventure operator which has offered adventure events and comfy ‘out of the way’ lodge accommodation for over 21 years. Preseli Venture specialises in offering all inclusive adventure breaks to adult and family groups, as well as a range of experiential team and leadership solutions for corporate clientele.

Preseli Venture offers coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, biking, and hiking adventures, and also works closely with a range of local service providers to offer a full portfolio of additional activities to their clients, including high ropes courses, golf, stand up paddle boarding, and nature watching.

In 2008 Preseli Venture won Pembrokeshire Tourism’s ‘Greenest Achievement’ award in recognition of their commitment to good environmental practise.

Full details of Preseli Venture staff, background and events.

Find out more about the pro-environmental features of the Preseli Venture 5 star Eco Lodge.

Contact Details and Media Opportunities
Media Contact
Claire Carlile, Marketing Manager, Preseli Venture
T: 01348 837709 E: claire@preseliventure.com M: 07813 242436

Interview Opportunities and Press Visits
If you would like to arrange an interview or a press visit, please contact Claire Carlile – contact details above

Photos and Photo Opportunities
As above

coasteering photos from Allison's trip

2009-03-09T12:31:00.003Z

Stumbled upon Allison's coasteering photos from her Preseli Venture Weekend - fab :) It's true that wetsuits aren't always the most flattering ensemble...but Allison manages to pull it off with aplomb. Some great jumping piccies too, thanks for sharing Allison :)

lovely words on wales

2009-03-03T13:28:00.001Z

"I wish my pictures did Wales justice. It's honestly the most spectacular place I have ever seen. Even when I was covered in mud or kayaking in the snow, it was one of the best times I have ever had. If I lived in Wales, I would spend everyday I could either in the ocean or on the coast (which is definitely not normal). When I told Mom about this trip, she thought I was crazy...who would have thought that I would be swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and climbing rocks; or sea kayaking in the Irish Sea; or doing a 7 mile hike covered in mud. This weekend was definitely a character building experience and I couldn't have been more blessed to see this beautiful place and experience the things I have. I cannot wait to go back to Wales!"

Read Ellie's UK blog

Western Telegraph a go go

2009-02-26T13:15:00.001Z

"Double dragon? That sounds Japanese"

2009-02-19T10:06:00.002Z

Thanks Aubrey for this...feel like I was here with you!

February 17, 2009...4:12 am
“Double dragon? That sounds Japanese.”

I am rejuvenated.

I have returned from a weekend of adventure in my homeland, Wales. We went to an extreme sports camp in the Pembrokeshire area of South Western Wales, and spent the weekend revving up our adrenaline and taking in the countryside.

Welsh roads are the funniest things, because they keep you from ever knowing where you are until you stumble upon your destination; they’re hedged in, literally, by massive brambles, bushes and the occasional sheep.

I became acquainted with the National Ale of Wales: Double Dragon. I see a beautiful friendship on the horizon, if I’m able to find it anywhere but in Wales, which I highly doubt. All in all the atmosphere at the camp was one of relaxation and I think a thankfulness to get out of the city mindset. Things slowed down once we got to the rolling green hills, smelled the salt water and saw that clear sunshine.

We took a quick drive over to a little fishing village, Abercastle, and launched in their cove. We did a few quick lessons in basic kayak technique, then headed out to the open water. We hugged the coast, but not too closely because there were jagged rocks and crags along the way. We got to paddle around in the waves, launch ourselves over rock outcroppings at the right moments, and were dared to generally be “fearless” in the water. Our instructors were really fun guys, both so down to earth and into fun, so the smiling was contagious. As we got back into the cove and dragged our kayaks up onto the shore, a neighborhood dog trotted down to greet us, going to each of us, checking we were okay, pausing to be adored, and then trotted back to his spot lying in the middle of the one way road.

For our last day there, I took a seven mile hike along the coastal cliffs with a few other adventurers. My walking buddy was Keely, and we had a great time exploring, taking in the sights, and making sure we got off the beaten path occasionally. I got to frolic multiple times, which, in my book, counts as a major win. I took some incredible landscape shots, communed with the ocean, chatted with a sheep, and got to slosh through incredibly satisfyingly squishy suctiony mud.

After a quick lunch and time to clean up and get our stuff together, we headed back towards London, past Cardiff and Bristol, etc. although this trip was much quieter because we were all exhausted. I was sad leaving the rolling green hills and the sheep and the countryside smell. I let myself daydream about working on a farm for the summer, being able to fully immerse myself in the Welsh countryside and small town culture.

Maybe some day."

Read more of Aubrey's blog.

I've been away for a while....

2009-02-17T14:03:00.002Z

I've been away for a week gallivanting in the snow elsewhere - and I missed all of the snow here :( I'm just catching up on what's been happening here at PV while I've been away, found some wonderful blogs from our guests over the last weekend.

Despite travel disruption the snowy weather appears to have MADE the weekend for some people! Check these out:

http://flaggphoto.blogspot.com/2009/02/wales.html
http://alondontraveler.blogspot.com/2009/02/4-weeks-and-trip-to-wales.html
http://jennaslondonadventure.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/lots-of-snow-oxford-wales-adventure-weekend-and-a-21st-birthday/

Press Release - Eco Lodge Achieves First 5 Star Grading in West Wales

2009-02-04T14:40:00.006Z

For immediate release

Eco Lodge Achieves First 5 Star Grading in West Wales

Preseli Venture Eco Lodge in Pembrokeshire has become the first activity centre in West Wales to gain 5 stars.

After two years of hard graft by staff and local craftspeople, the lodge received the coveted 5 star accreditation.

The renovations invested in extensive low-carbon technology to cut emissions and to help protect the delicate balance of the National Park environment.

“Investing in the future was a key priority for the Eco Lodge’s new build and upgrade” says Nick Hurst, Preseli Venture’s owner. “All the hot water and heating in the lodge comes via our new ground source heat pump, and we source our electricity from Ecotricity, a company which has a real commitment to renewable energy”.

“As unpleasant as it might sound, dealing with the human waste created by our guests in our remote coastal location was a challenge. So we invested £14,000 into a BioDisc system, which rotates a biomass through the effluvia, meaning that we can be confident the waste released into the environment is completely and thoroughly treated, free from solids and pollutants,” says Nick.

According to Claire Carlile, Preseli Venture’s marketing manager, the new eco lodge has proved popular with both new and returning guests and offers the chance to show visitors that sustainable living practices are accessible to everyone and not just the remit of the few.

‘We’re not big fans of greenwash and we don’t believe in taking a preachy stance with our guests, but we do embrace the opportunities that exist for sharing more environmentally responsible practises with our customers. We transport them to their adventures in buses that run on local bio diesel made from used chip oil, we put on a free bus and train transfer to the lodge to encourage people to use public transport, and we source our food as locally as possible” she says.

She adds “We’ve found that we have a growing client group that are considering eco credentials as part of their decision making process, and so we’re as much responding to demand as following our own hearts and environmental beliefs”.

Jonathan Jones, Director of VisitWales, said: "I'm delighted that Preseli Venture has gained a 5 star for their Eco Lodge. This achievement is testimony to the hard work and drive of the staff and their commitment to quality. Preseli Venture's Eco Lodge really does prove that you can have an eco-friendly activity holiday without compromising on luxury and quality. I wish the team all the best for 2009."

The VisitWales grading scheme assures visitors that their chosen accommodation has been checked out before they check in, and the stars reflect the facilities and the overall quality of experience. A 5 star grading denotes accommodation that is ‘exceptional with a degree of luxury’ and the new eco lodge enjoys under-floor heating and plush new bathroom facilities with individual wet-rooms.

Preseli Venture is additionally accredited with the Green Dragon Environmental Standard, which means that all living and working practises are monitored with a view to continuing to improve the organisations’ pro-environmental practises.

To find out more visit http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/, email info@preseliventure.com or call 01348 837709.

ENDS

EDITORS NOTES

About Preseli Venture
Preseli Venture is a well established Pembrokeshire based adventure operator which has offered adventure events and lodge accommodation for over 21 years. In addition to eco lodge accommodation Preseli Venture specialises in offering all inclusive adventure breaks to adult and family groups, as well as a range of experiential team and leadership solutions for corporate clientele.

Preseli Venture offers coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, biking, and hiking adventures, and also works closely with a range of local service providers to offer a full portfolio of additional activities to their clients, including high ropes courses, golf, and stand up paddle boarding.

In 2008 Preseli Venture won Pembrokeshire Tourism’s ‘Greenest Achievement’ award in recognition of their commitment to good environmental practise.

For full details of Preseli Venture staff, background and events visit:
http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/

To find out more about the pro-environmental features of the Preseli Venture Eco Lodge visit:
http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/lodge/lodge.shtml

Contact Details and Media Opportunities

Media Contact
Claire Carlile, Marketing Manager, Preseli Venture
T: 01348 837709 E: claire@preseliventure.com M: 07813 242436

Interview Opportunities and Press Visits
If you would like to arrange an interview or a press visit, please contact Claire Carlile – contact details above

Photos and Photo Opportunities
As above

Lovely coasteering piece in the Sunday telegraph

2009-01-26T15:28:00.002Z

Thanks Gary King for a sooper dooper piece on winter coasteering in the Sunday Times - we liked it very much! See - it's true, it's plenty warm enough to coasteer in December, especially with a toasty warm winter wetsuit :)

Life
25 Jan 2009

Back in the homeland...and a nice suprise

2009-01-20T11:35:00.003Z

After the hustle and bustle of London I got back home late on Friday...ahhh it really is nice to be back home.

After spending the best part of 2 weeks meeting study abroad students and chatting with them about the fun and adventures we have on tap at Preseli Venture it was a lovely suprise to find this email in the inbox:

"Hi Preseli Venture, In 1993 and 1994, my friends and I were studing in London from the University of Notre Dame in the USA and we took in 2 of your adventure weekends. I came across your website and it just brought back so many memories. I have never forgotten the kayaking, coasteering and hiking and the biking. It was wonderful I never forgot your dog, Teg, either.

You were a small operation back then--just 2 of you and the place was wonderfully rustic. I also remember being paralyzed with fear hiking up a steep part of the hike and Sophie coaxed me up and I was so proud.

I am so glad to see how successful your adventures have become and I just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much I enjoyed Wales and still remember it fondly years (and years) later.

Maria Bilotti

Egg Harbor Township, NJ USA"

It's nice to be thought of in such a fond way, after all of those years!

Frosty and bright

2009-01-05T13:34:00.002Z

First day back in the office for 2009, and another perfect crsip wintery day with blue skies. Yes, it's true that the sea is not super warm at the moment - but once you're kitted out in a winter wetsuit you'll be toasty and ready for action! Our friend Gary King came along for some 'winter coasteering' at the end of December - I'll post a link to his coasteering piece once its published, and you'll be able to read for yourself that jumping into the sea in January is a GOOD thing!