Aberdaron Update

Had a quick visit to Aberdaron today to view progress on our new visitor centre. 

I was with Robert Parkinson the Community Ranger, who will eventually be based at the centre when it's up and running.  It was great to see how the car park has been improved and the foundations are ready for work to start on the walls in the next couple of weeks. 

Boating access to the beach has been greatly improved, and whilst we were there someone was unloading kayaks at the car park and launching directly off the beach.  Before we made the improvements, they would have had to unload the kayaks on the road and drag them through bathers on the beach - so good to see people benefiting from the work already.

Robert and his Llyn colleagues are keen to keep the community and other visitor informed about progress, so we've been discussing how he can use social media to update everyone on how its going.

View of Henfaes, Aberdaron, where the new visitor centre is being built.   Notice the bare soil in the car park, which will eventually be covered with grass.

Get started on the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenge

There are 56 National Trust places in Wales where you can do your 50 Things activities.https://www.50things.org.uk 

And if you tried to do all the 50 Things possible at all these places then you would need to do 1,340 activities and that’s a lot to ask of even the most active child over one summer.

Throughout the year there will be special events organised around a 50 Things theme and this week you’ll be keen to try out some of the places in Wales that come out tops in the UK poll of places to do the 50 Things activities.

So to suggest six of the best: here is a list of top places to consider in starting to try out at least one activity.

1. Cook on a campfire – Stackpole (How to get there and more information)
2. Plant, it grow it, eat it – Tredegar House (How to get there and more information) 
3. Go on a walk barefoot - Pembrokeshire, Strumble Head to Cardigan (How to get there and more information)
4. Eat an apple straight from a tree – Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion Coast (How to get there and more information)
5. Catch a crab - Plas Newydd, Anglesey/Ynys Mon (How to get there and more information)
6. Go swimming in the sea - Llyn peninsula, North-West Wales (How to get there and more information)

https://www.50things.org.uk 









Some of the things that are happening in some of the locations this weekend on the 4th and 5th May 

Wild camping at Plas Newydd, Anglesey 
Plas Newyd-things-to-see-and-do-events
Construct a raft, fly a kite, go bug hunting and build a den.

Tree Story Seed to Timber at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
Build a den, climb a tree and find out about all kinds of wood and what it's used for.
colby-woodland-garden-things-to-see-and-do-events

Wildlife Trails at Stackpole, Pembrokeshire

Walks and family wildlife trails.Stackpole-things-to-see-and-do-events

Where’s the best place in the UK to walk barefoot? - WALES of course

In the top ten list of 50 Things activities the best place to take a barefoot walk in the UK is Strumble Head to Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, strumble-head-cardigan-things-to-see-and-do and the best place to cook on a campfire in the UK is at Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire. Stackpole-things-to-see-and-do-events

And just to keep you in the picture. The 50 things website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50things has loads of great information to help you tackle the 50 things adventures. Sign up online and receive:

• Top tips and guidance for each activity
• Secret challenges to unlock
• Special rewards for the best explorers
• The wild test will help you find out what sort of explorer you are
• Your very own virtual explorer to guide you through the 50 things

Get in there quick and your 50 things scrapbooks will be available free at more than 350 participating National Trust properties (subject to availability)

So this year's get started on the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenge:

1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a really big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skim a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Go on a really long bike ride
12. Make a trail with sticks
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Play in the snow
16. Make a daisy chain
17. Set up a snail race
18. Create some wild art
19. Play pooh sticks
20. Jump over waves
21. Pick blackberries growing in the wild
22. Explore inside a tree
23. Visit a farm
24. Go on a walk barefoot
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Go star gazing
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Explore a cave
30. Hold a scary beast
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a falling leaf
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what’s in a pond
36. Make a home for a wild animal
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40.Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go swimming in the sea
43. Build a raft
44. Go bird watching
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try rock climbing
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Learn to ride a horse
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river

by Moyrah Gall