Expand your artistic skills in a watercolour workshop, or try a close encounter with shoreline wildlife while scrambling along the cliffs! These are just two of the brand-new activities on offer in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's summer programme.
Some exciting new events feature in the next two weeks of the programme. Environmental artist Buzz Knapp-Fisher will run the watercolour workshop, drawing inspiration from local wildlife, on Wednesday, July 25, at St. David's Visitor Centre. Aimed at the over-60s, it will encourage both novice and experienced artists to experiment with traditional and abstract techniques.
On Friday, July 27, you can experience the unique sport of 'coasteering' - horizontal rock-climbing along the base of the cliffs just above the waterline - invented by outdoor activity centre Twr-y-Felin in St. David's. But this is coasteering with a difference, as marine biologist Kate Lock will be on hand to show you a fascinating range of shoreline plants and animals. Fully-qualified instructors and all equipment will also be provided.
Both the painting workshop and the coasteering event must be booked in advance - the workshop on (01437) 720392 and the coasteering by calling (01437) 721611.
There's plenty for the family too, with an evening walk in search of bats, glow-worms and other twilight creatures in Bosherston on Saturday, July 21, and a chance to get to grips with mini-beasts at St. David's Visitor Centre on Tuesday, July 24.
And there are four 'Beach Bonanza' family fun days, at St. Brides on Tuesday, July 24, Newport Parrog on Thursday, July 26, Manorbier on Tuesday, July 31, and Poppit Sands on Thursday, August 2. All the fun days include a specially written puppet show, given by professional puppeteer Philip Jones and featuring some whacky characters, including Reggie Razorbill and Cerys Chough. The fun days are free, but donations are welcomed.
Pembrokeshire produce is on the menu for the St. David's Food Fayre on Monday, July 30. There will be opportunities to find out more about the National Park's wildlife-friendly approach to farming and to sample locally-grown produce at the Farmers' Market at St. David's Visitor Centre.
Programme details:
July: Friday 20 - Seabird spectacular evening boat trip from Martins Haven; Evening coastal and inland walk, Strumble Head. Saturday, 21 - Coastal walk, Bosherston; evening family walk, Bosherston. Monday, 23 - Family bike ride, Newport; Tuesday, 24 - Horse riding, Preseli Hills; Beach bonanza, St. Brides; Family walk, St. David's; Family seashore walk, Amroth; Seabird spectacular evening boat trip from Martins Haven; Coastal Pembrokeshire slide show, Broad Haven Youth. Wednesday, 25 - Skomer Island walk; Arts and crafts workshop, St. David's; Slide show, the National Trust warden's year, St. David's. Thursday, 26 - Ramsey Island walk; beach bonanza, Newport Parrog; City walk, St. David's. Friday, 27 - Wildlife coasteering, St. David's; Seabird spectacular evening boat trip from Martins Haven. Saturday, 28 - Family walk, Angle; Evening walk, Castlemartin Range. Sunday, 29 - Bilingual inland walk, near Newport; Monday, 30 - Food fayre, St. David's Visitor Centre; Evening coastal walk, Caerbwdi, St. David's. Tuesday, 31 - Horse riding, Preseli Hills; Slate carving demonstration, St. David's Visitor Centre; Beach bonanza, Manorbier; Seabird spectacular evening boat trip, from Martins Haven.
August: Wednesday, 1 - Skomer Island walk; Puppet theatre workshop, St. David's Visitor Centre. Thursday, 2 - Beach bonanza, Poppit Sands; City walk, St. David's; Daugleddau canoe trip; Bilingual coastal walk, Dinas Island. Friday, 3 - Seashore walk, Dale; Daugleddau canoe trip.