You may not be a Monet or Piccasso but to please the budding artists among you we've put together this weekend course designed to take a complete beginner or dabbler through the basics of drawing and painting. Your instructor for the weekend Julie Hyde, is an accomplished artist, and has put together a stress free, absorbing and fun weekend. Demonstrating various techniques using pencil, watercolour and other media, she will show you how easily sketches and finished works can be produced.
This is a unique falconry experience weekend where you will be part of a small party spending time in the beautiful Welsh countryside. This weekend is a must for anyone interested in learning more about everything involved in the keeping and flying of these birds and, as the group size will be a maximum of six, your involvement will be very "hands on". The centre has a variety of raptors, Hawks, Falcons, Owls and Buzzards all of which have been hand reared and are all highly trained.
An easy cycling weekend for all the two wheel enthusiasts who don't want the thrills and spills of mountain biking. Although the countryside in this area is fairly hilly our routes will tend to take us around them rather than over them and each day's ride will be paced according to the wishes of the group with plenty of rest stops to take in the wonderful scenery. The rides will be along quiet country lanes, purpose built cinder tracks with maybe a slight bit of smooth "off road", through areas of outstanding natural beauty where the sight of another vehicle will be the exception rather than the rule. Anybody who can ride and breathe at the same time can meet the criteria for these rides!
This is another in our programme of cycling weekends for all you two wheel enthusiasts. For those rufty tufties with a little more mountain biking experience and a good level of fitness, we can include 'off road' with a route between 20 and 25 miles a day, with some challenging man made courses for you to try.
Whether suspended over a river, or perched on the edge of a rock face, you'll soon find you've left all the city stresses behind you on this Activity 'Challenge'. Over the weekend you'll have the chance to tackle the infamous 'Vyrnwy Challenge', have a go at a range of activities designed to test your nerve and your sense of humour, and see how well you can work as a team! All the activities take place at the unsurpassable location of Lake Vyrnwy, surrounded by tree clad slopes, and teeming with wild life, an unspoilt nature reserve in the heart of Wales.
Over the weekend you'll have the chance to have a go at clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, archery and fly-casting. The range of activities will test your marksmanship and skill, nerve and your sense of humour. We'll see how well you can handle your bow when we'll have a mini fun challenge and team competition surrounded by tree clad slopes, and rolling moorland ... teeming with wild life - just as long as you can get your aim on target!.
Creative Writing - Journalism Weekend
Writer Judi Goodwin is a freelance journalist, and trainer who also runs writing and creative development courses. If you've ever fancied writing for publication this is the course to help you do just that. Covering the differences between news and feature writing targeting readers and different types of features. This practical workshop will give you the tools and tricks of the trade.
Skills for the Hills - Bronze & Silver Navigation Awards
If you're interested in hill walking, but want to learn more about the practical skills and techniques needed to venture safely out to the hills and mountains of Britain, then this weekend is for you. The majority of the weekend is practical so you will be out walking in the breathtaking scenery of the Welsh Hills which is ideally suited to developing navigation skills as it is not always easy to follow the paths and rights of way. The emphasis for the weekend is on enjoying the walks and the instruction will be given on the hoof with the each person having the opportunity to develop their own level of confidence. The topics you will cover include use of map and compass navigation, risk assessment, safety procedures on steep ground and emergency situations. You will also cover countryside access, consideration of weather conditions, mountain rescue, the environment and other relevant topics.
This weekend takes you to picturesque Llangollen on the river Dee for your white water rafting session on Saturday. This venue is the easiest way to experience the thrill of rafting and no previous knowledge or ability is required, just a sense of fun. After a short safety briefing, you'll be accompanied by an experienced guide down "Tombstone Weir", "Middle Stopper" and "Factory Falls", learning the finer points of getting wet! Sunday it's over to Lake Vyrnwy, a reservoir headed by a magnificent Victorian dam, which is the backdrop to many popular water based activities. Here we have a short two to three hour walk planned through the Vyrnwy estate which takes us up into the forests and has magnificent views of the lake. For anyone feeling more active the water sports or hire bikes are always an option.
Escape from the city this Bank Holiday for an outdoor camping experience with a difference where you can party or enjoy the solitude to suit your mood. These weekends are always great fun as the price includes a BBQ on Saturday night with a barrel of real ale, cider, music and a party in the studio! If you can play an instrument why not bring it along and we could have some live music too! There are also many activities available in the area, so if you want to get out and about there's plenty for you to do. The activities take place near and on Lake Vyrnwy; just a short drive away. Climbing & Abseiling, Canoeing & Sailing, Cycling & Pony Trekking are all available in the area. We also hope to book white water rafting this will be confirmed on the weekend. Other places of interest in the vicinity include a steam railway, Powys Castle, The Alternative Technology Centre, there are many pleasant walks, and the seaside is not far away!
We do a range of weekends to suit every-ones taste, all designed to make maximum use of the fabulous Mid Wales countryside, from the beautiful scenery of the lowland valleys and rivers to the breathtaking scenery of the Welsh Hills and ridges.
Here are two days of flat walking, along the coast line between Twyn and Aberdovey, and around Lake Vyrnwy. Perfect for those who don't feel superfit, or just want a relaxing weekend and to soak up the tranquillity and beauty of these surroundings.
Low Level Walking Weekends, and Easter & Christmas 'Country Cottage' Celebration Weekends
We've put together this weekend of walks amongst breathtaking scenery, guaranteed to get you away from the crowds. If you're used to one day rambles but want to stretch your legs a bit more, then get away from all the traffic and city noise and spend a whole weekend enjoying the river valleys and moorland of the wonderful mid Wales countryside. Our celebration / Country Cottage Weekends also include a sumptuous five course meal in the evening - go ahead spoil yourself!
In response to the increasing demand for higher level walking weekends we offer the keen walker this opportunity to enjoy the lesser-known ridges in the southern Snowdonia area. Ridge Walk Weekend I tackles the impressive Cadair Idris range and also the Arrans. Ridge Walk Weekend II tackles the Rhinogs and the Berwyns. We also have longer breaks at bank holidays where you can experience four days of hard walking with a five course meal celebration meal on Monday. The walks are about 13 miles each day and include some of the most remote and exhilarating ridge walking available in southern Snowdonia. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the weekend as the walks involve some steep scrambles. If you have any doubts get out there and have a few practice walks. Both days on the hill will be full days out, with most of the altitude gained in the early part of each day to reach the chosen ridge and long wonderful traverses with fantastic views until we descend again at the end of the day.
You may not be Hendrix or Robbie Williams but to please the musicians and singers among you we've put together our very own 'Fame Academy' weekend. Over the years we've been delighted to meet many Spice members who are musical but who never get the chance to meet up with other people who play and sing for fun and their own enjoyment. This weekend gives you the opportunity to break out of your bedroom, and instead of just strumming away to yourself enjoy the company of fellow' musicians'. Don't worry you don't have to be a professional standard to take part, but you do need to be able to play an instrument; which you'll need to bring with you, or sing in tune to book this weekend.