Staff Training Week - Aberporth

On the 25th of August 2008, at 7:15 am, the majority of staff piled into the Manor Adventure Land Rovers set for a three hour journey to the South West coast of Wales for some outdoor camping fun!

The 'staff training' week had been organised by management as a chance to 'work hard play hard' and let our hair down for all the hard work we had done during the year.

Having paid just thirty pounds each, we were given tents and any other equipment that we may need for the kayaking, walking and power boating activities during the week.

At around lunch time, we arrived at Nant-y-Croi camp site with bags of enthusiasm (and roll mats) ready to set up (and take over!) the camp site. Two hours and twenty three tents later, our new home for the week was ready. Brew time. All the food etc was from the centre and our appointed chef was the legendary Al Jones. Catering for over twenty five staff (one an awkward vegetarian) with a small camping stove must have been challenging but he kept his cool and we all ate well that evening!

Day one – rise and shine was at eight and after breakfast we were put into small groups and I was on the kayak and power boat list for that day - woo hoo! The weather wasn't particularly pleasant but that didn't stop us – six layers of clothing and a ten minute journey later, we arrived at a local boat yard where Mark (Head Of Centre) parked the boat and trailer full of Kayaks.

The morning was brilliant as I had never kayaked in the sea before. We started off at an estuary and then went and parked our boats on the beach. We were partnered up and Mark taught us how to kayak surf! (This was the highlight of the trip for me – never before (or since!) have I capsized my boat four times in three minutes! After lunch we went out in small groups on the powerboat – that was ace!

We got back at the camp site in time for dinner and a nice warm shower. After dinner, there was enough time before bed for a few beverages and a chance to talk to the other group about their walking trip they had done while we were at sea.

Day two – rise and shine was earlier than the previous morning - by 8am, we were almost ready to depart for our walk. The weather was a little better and before long, ten of us were navigating our way through various farms and fields to end up on a lovely coastal to end up at a place called Mwnt. That afternoon we met up with the others at the beach and found the 'inner child' in ourselves playing in the waves and making sand castles!

Dinnertime back at camp and another night of camp fire fun! (But no camp fire – instead, the more practical, tilley lamps!)

Day three – Waking to the small of sausages and the cheerful sound of the chef's singing, today we were informed that we would be meeting up at Aberporth beach with the staff from Abernant, the Welsh centre.

Great news as my roommate had recently been transferred there so I would get to see her again! The morning was cold and rainy, so everyone went for wetsuits and lots of layers! Almost immediately after arriving at the beautiful beach of Aberporth, out came the sun! Woo!!! This day was a day filled with sun, sea and sand. There were Kayaks and spray decks sprawled along the beach, people sunbathing and gossiping, people swimming and some in giant rubber rings and dingys! Once more, Captain Mark offered his services and did lots of power boat runs for those who hadn't yet experienced it. It was a brilliant day, but soon it ended and we said good bye to the Abernant staff. Our staff training week was almost over, and after an eventful three days, we decided we would go out for dinner and drinks. Our stores manger kindly offered to be the designated driver and after giving the tracksuits and hoodies a swap for more 'out of the manor bubble' appropriate attire, we were driven to an attractive restaurant/bar in Cardigan. We ate lots and drank lots and slept VERY well that night.

Day four – departure day!

Waking up early was normal, but not greatly appreciated this morning! Given about half an hour to pack a messy tent was a task and a half! Never the less, it got done and soon we were climbing into the land Rovers and saying goodbye to Wales!

We arrived back at the manor full of sandy helmets, spraydecks, tents and tales to tell those that had stayed behind.

It was a brilliant week and great to be in the company of familiar colleagues, without work! A lot of people learnt and experienced things that had never done before during that week and it was a time I'm sure no one will forget in a hurry.