myguideBritain Blog

Getting Cold Feet - My adventure vacation in Wales part 2

October 18th, 2007

 

Hello again from Wales and a big thank you to all those who read our first blog installment. I think that launching this blog was more nerve racking for me than hurtling across a field on a quad-bike and thus I was very grateful for the positive feedback. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your comments.

We have had an exciting week again here in the UK, as I am sure many of you will know we Brits are big fans of the sport of Rugby and this week has seen England reach the finals of the Rugby World Cup! Although England are reigning world champions this achievement seemed almost impossible based on form leading up to the tournament. Needless to say we are all very excited about it, however I finished last time telling you about my recent adventure trip around Wales as part of the “Showcase Wales” tourism convention and promised that I would continue…

We began day three near Swansea, South Wales, with a hearty cooked Welsh breakfast (I had an idea I would need it) and then our small group set out West towards the Pembrokeshire Coast. Our first stop was the National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Carmarthenshire and what a treat this was. I had never visited the gardens before but could only marvel at the huge domed greenhouse as it swells out of the hillside like a spaceship. Despite its futuristic appearance, the huge structure is remarkably at home nestled deep in the Tywi valley and located on the historic site of the 17^th century Paxton mansion, estate and gardens. The dome itself is now home to an array of endangered plant life from all over the world whilst the surrounding gardens showcase a number of traditional and modern garden styles, my own favourite: the slate beds using recycled materials from local Welsh quarries.

From the Botanic Gardens we proceeded coast wards heading for the tiny city of St Davids. Although only the size of a small village, the gutsy St Davids claims city status as a result of its grand cathedral. The city is named after our Welsh patron saint and is considered by many to be the spiritual capital of Wales. I wasn’t feeling very spiritual as we arrived with thick clouds rolling in from the ocean and fine drizzle in the air. I felt, in fact, that maybe it was a warning sign as I knew what was in store for me in St Davids. Our main activity today was Coasteering on the Pembroke Coast. Let me explain briefly what coasteering entails. It is a sport (that many believe was invented in Pembroke itself) whereby you navigate the rocky coastline, sounds like fun I hear you say. Here’s the catch. You navigate the coastline by any means possible which can involve walking, rock-climbing and sea swimming or indeed clinging to rock faces, scrambling down crevices, slipping and sliding in seaweed, hurling yourself of cliff edges and being tossed around by the pounding tide of the unforgiving Irish Sea!

As I alighted the coach I had a funny feeling in my stomach and it wasn’t the breakfast repeating on me. More than half of the group then set off on a coastal walk having selected itinerary option two. I didn’t remember any options! Was there something my manager hadn’t told me!? When we reached the activity centre only four of us remained. We were greeted by an excessively enthusiastic guide who bounced around manically as we got kitted out, an unpleasant enough experience in itself. I peeled on a damp old wetsuit, a pair of ripped training shorts and squelched my feet into soggy sneakers. The hard hat was next and then the all important life jacket for which I was very thankful indeed. A five minute mini-bus journey later, stood on a cliff edge with the salty sea breeze slapping me in the face and I found myself questioning how much I enjoyed or indeed needed my job. We climbed down an almost vertical rock-face to a lower ledge where we stood just ten feet above the waves crashing against the rocks. The only way to go from here was in to the freezing October sea! Our myguideBritain blog could well have ended here, a genuine cliff-hanger, as I had a momentary vision of myself dangling by my fingertips from the jutting rock, clinging on for dear life. But I quickly decided it was now or never. I stepped forward, my heart thumping, looked down in to the swirling waters and jumped…

From the moment my foot left the rock I fell in love with Coasteering. There was an immediate rush of adrenalin before I was plunged into the water. Although cold for the first few minutes, our wetsuits soon began to warm up as we bobbed and swam in the waters. Our guide had an amazing knowledge of the coast line and she quickly lead us in to a hidden, semi-submerged cave in the rock face. Her enthusiasm quickly began to rub-off on me as she explained there are a population of seals living off the Pembrokeshire coast and many regularly rested in this very cave. We also swam out to some larger off shore rocks. Although it was an effort and a struggle to drag yourself out of the water (for the first time in my life I saw the benefits of sea weed) it was definitely worth it as it gave us some fantastic off-shore views of the coastline. It also provided some excellent opportunities for further cliff jumps which I was rapidly becoming hooked on. All in all I was stunned by the beauty of the clear waters and the natural coastline and thoroughly enjoyed the physical challenge of tackling the waves and the rocks. We were in the waters for roughly 2 hours but it passed in what seemed like 5 minutes. As we scaled the rocks back to the van I was exhausted but highly satisfied.

That evening at our stay in the Wolfcastle Hotel I had what I would describe as the best shower of my life. The scorching water probably felt better as I had spent most of the day cold and wet and my muscles ached. Dinner was excellent in the hotel restaurant (I can highly recommend the duck) though there was a complaint that the four coasteerers would not shut up about their day. It was an incredible experience that I will not forget for a long time. I slept like a log that night and awaoke feeling very sorry that day four would be the final day of activities on my trip.

Entry Filed under: Activity, Adventure, Coasts, Countryside, Wales