Adventure Togs Blog

Childrens Outdoor Ideas - Pushchair walks

We've teamed up with the excellent website "Pushchair Walks" to provide our blog readers with some new walking ideas with their children. Here is a walk written especially for Adventure Togs customers.

 

Beware - you need good weather for this one if you are going to attempt to reach the waterfall and a good all terrain pushchair! (Could be dangerous otherwise)

Here it is: "Determined to get out between showers at the end of a wet weekend in the Brecons, we wanted to see how far we could take the off-roader up the famous waterfalls valley to test a route for www.pushchairwalks.co.uk. We knew the waterfalls from our pre-pushchairing days and the path on the map looked good. Not only that, but the information board at the car park in Pontneddfechan said pushchairs could get to a riverside picnic area, so we thought we’d give it a go! With Rhodri snuggled up in the pushchair and Rhiannon in the papoose, we set off in the first dry spell of the day. The river valley was beautiful, with the Nedd Fechan cascading down beds formed by the natural dip of the sandstone rocks. Lined with trees, the broad gravel path followed the river along past overhanging cliffs and abandoned mine buildings where it joined the old mine railway – you can see the stone sleepers still in place now forming the path. It’s hard now to imagine that this beautiful valley was once a silica mining area. We soon reached the picnic area, which really is accessible for all pushchairs, including double buggies, and is a lovely place to go for a walk in itself. However, as we had the off-roader we decided to push into the unknown and aim for the waterfall! The path narrowed shortly after the picnic site and our hearts fell when we saw a flight of steps, but there were only 12 and they were pretty easy to be honest, after which the path levelled off again. Crossing small tributary streams, we continued through woodland and up the river bank. We knew we were getting close when we heard the thundering cascade of water and then the path divided at a bridge. Which way should we go??? Well, needless to say, we tried both. It was far easier staying on the same side of the river where the path leads you to a fenced viewpoint overlooking Sgwd Gwladus, where the river cascades over an undercut bed of rock like a horse’s tail. The waterfall is named after a daughter of a 5th century chieftan – one of 25 sisters! After admiring the falls, we attempted to get further up the valley, but the path deteriorated rapidly and we had to admit defeat. So we headed back down the river, catching sight of dippers and flycatchers on the way. As we got back to the mine buildings, we felt the first drops of rain and by the time we got back to the car we knew we’d timed it well as the heavens opened, just in time for a soggy drive back home to North Wales! " A map and full route details for this walk (along with over 200 others!) is available from www.pushchairwalks.co.uk . Click here to download this trial walk free of charge. Walk URL: http://www.pushchairwalks.co.uk/swales.html

Keela Spectrum Jacket - Extreme Weather Waterproof Jacket for £85.99

Waterproof, breathable / wickable mens all-weather coat with System Dual Protection.

 

When it comes to extreme weather, there are few better places to be than inside the Men's Spectrum jacket. Packed full of innovation and features, the Men's Spectrum uses System Dual Protection technology to keep you warmer and dryer for longer.

FEATURES:

• Highly breathable/wickable
• Condensation control
• Detachable hood with peak and one-handed drawpuller volume adjuster
• Underarm zipped ventilation with double stormflap and Velcro closure
• Adjustable and removable snowskirt
• Articulated elbow
• Pivot action
• Two way front zip with double stormflap and Velcro closure
• Two large zipped pockets with stormflap
• Velcro adjustable cuffs
• Shockcord in hood, hem and snow skirt with cordlock adjusters
• Scooped back
• Chinguard
• Inner zipped security pocket
• O/S Map pocket
• Inner zipped mobile phone / ipod pocket

FABRIC: Innovation 5 Ripstop
LINING: ADS Micro Laminate

Colours: Grey/Black, Black/Black
Sizes: XS-XXL

Bugzz Childrens Rain Ponchos - A fun way to keep kids dry!

Bugzz rain ponchos are a fun way to keep your little ones dry. Children will love the fun designs which are printed on the front and back. Features a hood and underarm poppers to prevent the poncho blowing upwards in the wind. One size to fit age 3-6 years. Supplied with a matching carry pouch.

These ponchos are particularly popular with children of nursery age as they come in such fun designs as Sheep, Orchid, Ladybird, Bee, Cow, Dinosaur, Frog, Pony and Fireman.

Outdoor Clothing for the Foundation Phase - Waterproofs & Wellies

The introduction of the Foundation Stage (Foundation Phase in Wales) has meant many schools are looking to purchase waterproofs in large quantities. Adventure Togs always allows a discount to schools purchasing in bulk e.g. All-in-one waterproof suits from £13, separates from £15 with free P&P.

Please see our schools price list . If you cannot find what you are looking for please telephone us on 0845 0945 840 or email sales@adventuretogs.co.uk as we have access to a much wider range than on this list.

If you need wellies, we can also supply bulk orders at competitive prices.

 

Gastro Pub, Gastro Grub.

Last Friday we decided to take our 2 boys to visit Dan-yr-Ogof caves. Despite living only 40 minutes away, I had never visited the showcaves and thought our youngsters would enjoy the experience. I remember my brother going on a school trip there and my mother knitting him a new cardi, but somehow I had never made it there.

My husband wanted to try a gastro pub he had read about in a local magazine, the Pen-y-Cae Inn. I wasn't that keen, thinking kids and gastro pubs wouldn't really mix. The map we used sent us way off the beaten track and we arrived at the pub late and harassed. We had an excellent welcome, our youngest saw packs of crisps at the bar and wanted a meal with crisps. Amazingly, they let him order bacon and cheese sandwiches with prawn cocktail crisps without question (gastro or what!).

As we waited, the kids went back and forth into the garden to play on the swings, made guns from the lego in the corner of the bar area (and shot each other!) and we watched as other guests were turned away. One of the chefs was ill with mumps, another member of staff was off for other reasons, another's day off and so on.. We were constantly apologised to and yes we waited a long time, but the food was fantastic. The children were welcomed, the gardens were lovely, plenty of highchairs and huge ice-creams free with the kids menu. We would certainly recommend and return!

Trouble was, we were much later leaving the Pen-y-Cae Inn than planned and we were too late for entry into the caves. Never mind, it gives us a good excuse to go back for another meal.

Walks Nearby: Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons

Nearby Attractions: Craig-Y-Nos, Dan-yr-Ogof

Places to Stay: Craig-Y-Nos, Brecon Cottages

Healthy Schools Awards

I was recently invited to both the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Healthy Schools Awards in order to promote our schools waterproofs range. There was a great deal of interest from healthy schools coordinators and head teachers in our range of outdoor clothing. The Bugzz rain ponchos drew a great deal of attention, as modelled by Helen Crocombe from Evolve Sport . As well as foundation stage, there was much interest from teachers of older children, with some schools becoming Forest Schools or even adopting parcels of land in which they planning a woodland garden. It was enlightening to see the range of sports activities children take part in at school these days with many putting on exercise and dance displays, and to hear how healthy eating is encouraged using awards for fruit eating etc.

Brecon Waterfalls

After seeing an image of a waterfall the other day, I suddenly realised that the boys had never actually seen one. So we today we planned a family walk to Pontneddfechan near the Brecon Beacons. Yesterday it had rained for most of the day and I was hoping the waterfall would be worth the visit and the children would enjoy. We parked outside the White Horse Inn and got kitted out in our wet weather gear - waterproofs, walking boots and a rucksack filled with snacks.

The river was fast and furious and our youngsters were very good at walking single file away from the river bank. They were both quiet and a little in awe that we were trusting them on such a "dangerous" walk. We learnt that our 10 year old has been studying rivers in school and we talked about erosion and we watched how the flow changed. Our six year old thought he was Indiana Jones as he carefully walked across little bridges and stepping stones. It took us about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall and the complete walk was 2 hours including some exploring, stopping for a bite to eat and drink and taking photos.

I would thoroughly recommend this walk for older children. Our six year old is very sensible but I would not recommend it for younger children as the route can be dangerous in parts and you will definitely need walking boots or wellies. Our two young adventurers really enjoyed their walk and they are looking forward to their next expedition!

Warning: Please take care when walking in waterfall country as walks can be dangerous.

Distance: 2.9 Miles.

Walking for Health

I came across the Walking the way to Health website today. I don't know why I had never come across this site before. It is a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation.

I was particularly impressed at the number of walking groups around the country and how easy it was to find one in your area. For those who want some walking companions, I thought it seemed an excellent starting point.

But I feel the best way to walking your way to fitness into is to simply walk instead of using the car! It still amazes me how many people would rather jump in the car to go to the local shops, to school, to work when the price of petrol is sky high. I feel guilty about using the car these days and would much rather to walk for the sake of our health, the environment and my purse! 

Foundation Phase Delayed

I was really sad to hear the announcement yesterday that the implementation of the Foundation Phase early years learning scheme will be delayed due to lack of funding. Welsh Education Minister, Jane Hutt met with teaching unions and LEA's and it seems all are waiting for more cash (from somewhere?).

Read BBC News article.

The Foundation Phase places greater emphasis on learning through play for the 3-7 year age group, particularly outdoors. Play is so important to children's learning and development, the thought of learning through outdoor play is much more appealing than a boring old classroom! Fingers crossed for more funding!

Good Acer or Bad Acer?

I really need to get a new computer for my business and as I am sick of phoning Dell (helpful as they are with my hubbies laptop), I really wanted some face to face support. We were pleased with an Acer bought last year from a local computer shop for home use so this was the obvious choice once again. Monday morning, I toddled off to the computer shop and was disappointed to learn that they no longer sell them and they build their own instead. What should I do? Buy the self build option or go to Acer direct?

Thankfully, I came across Alun John's post at Marketing Tom. I am always interested in what this marketing guru has to say, I attended a few of his courses earlier this year and remembered that he had just bought an Acer laptop and had a few problems! I couldn't believe this saga was still ongoing.

The customer service from Acer seems appalling so I am going for the self build option which will be ready on Monday. Please read the Acer story and lets fight for good customer service!