Air Experiences Across the Costa Blanca

Here is the next edition to my activity summary of 2009 - air experiences on the Costa Blanca.

As usual it's an article for the Round Town News so if you follow this link you'll be able to read all about it.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21781&Itemid=31

I've just enrolled on a journalism course so am looking foward to my personal professional development in 2010, it's going to be an exciting journey filled with fun and adventure and I will be taking you with me at every step of the way.

I hope everyone that reads this has a happy, healthy and prosperous year in 2010.

Warmest wishes, Anna :)

Finishing the week with a bang!

Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon shooting at our friends school near to the Maigmo nature reserve in Alicante. It was FREEZING, but we soldiered on. My partner did very well, never having fired a shotgun before, I was very proud of him and I think he may have found a new hobby. I was less fortunate in my abilities and whereas in the past I have managed to fire of some accurate flukes; I missed all the damn clays this time. I think I need to work on which eye to focus with; or change the hand I hold the gun with. Either way I'm going to need major practice if I'm going to keep up with the boys!
The write up for this experience will be my first feature in the Round Town News in 2010 and will be posted here for you all to have a good chuckle over.

Earth Experiences Across the Costa Blanca

The end of 2009 is upon us and for my next 3 columns in the Round Town News I will be looking at the highlights of the Costa Blanca and my adventures this year. This week starts by looking at earth bound experiences:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21646&Itemid=31

Check me out next week when we look at air, concluding with sea in the last edition of 2009.

Tara's Retreat and Dan's Mosaics

This weeks article is about a really lovely couple I know, who run a yoga retreat and mosaic workshops close to Cartegena in the Murcia region.

There's also a shout-out to the Spanish Class 1 team who were up on the podium after coming 3rd at the last races in Abu Dhabi.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21470&Itemid=31

Power Boating in Spain

Good morning all! Here is my latest article published in this weeks Round Town News. This week I have covered power boating in Spain and some of the issues affecting this activity. I hope you enjoy.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21411&Itemid=31

Have a great weekend! Anna :)

Ryanair Calendar Girls Photo Shoot - Video

Hola!

Just found this online and thought I would share. I helped to coordinate the locations and team members featured in the first 2 minutes 16 seconds.

I have just submitted an article for next weeks Round Town News that will feature a bit more info about the calendar so will add the link for that next weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80b5Pm6sf34

Enjoy! ;)

Pole Fitness

Pole dancing has been my passion for over a year now and not only is the sport totally cool but the instructor is one of my best friends. Check out this article to find out more:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21319&Itemid=31

I will be posting some films on YouTube by the end of the winter season, all the girls are getting so good now and we reckon we can produce a video that makes everyone look twice!

Watch this space people!

Ultralight Flying Session

Here's another air-born article from the Round Town News, this time taking place right inland close to the Sierra de Espuña.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21281&Itemid=31

I hope you guys are enjoying these!!

Anna :)

La Manga Club Charity Walk

This is an article I wrote after climbing a lovely (small) mountain. It was a baking day but an easy walk compared to some of the others I've done.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21162&Itemid=38

The Class 1 article I wrote recently has had some fantastic feedback and is being used to drill up further support for the races taking part in Torrevieja next year. Sooooo exciting!

Class 1 - An Introduction

Hi everyone!
This article is one of my best yet! For all the petrol heads and wanna-be speed freaks, this is for you:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21140&Itemid=31

I'm proud to be the only English journalist associated with the Spanish team and can't wait to see how the story unfolds...... Watch this space

Crazy Days

Well, last week was pretty crazy. Richard (partner and Director / Principle Yachtsmaster Instructor of Serenity Sailing) had taken some more experienced students to Ibiza for the week so I had decided to pack my week full of fun things to keep me entertained.
Cut to me getting hopefully lost south of Murcia in search of an airfield, I forgot to print off my directions and maps!! Darn! I ended up being 1.5 hours late and was so stressed out! I hate being late and have never been THAT late before, gggrrrr. I was visiting a microlight (ultralight in Spain) school for a flying session which I have just drafted an article about. That was a really cool experience, although not as adrenaline-pumping as I would normally get my kicks from :)
I then dropped in to a fabulous yoga retreat - Tara's Retreat - run by Vivienne and Dan from the UK. It was a lot easier to get to :) I took part in a great Pilates session with two other guests, Ben and Belinda. Ben has worked on the motor racing circuit since the 90's as a commentator, notably for Eurosport. I must get his full name so I have a proper claim to fame! Belinda is an events coodinator on the same scene and they both were just lovely. I really wanted to stay an extra day so I could talk with them more and do more pilates but the next morning, I had to dash off and climb a mountain!
I had made contact with a resident at the famous La Manga Club resort as they are running a month-long fiesta!! All the proceeds go to local charities and so far, it's all going really well and they've raised loads of money. I volunteered to walk a local mountain with a good-sized group of enthusiasts. The gentlemen leading the walk (Robyn) has a great knowledge of the local area and made it very interesting for all of us. He even managed to get us in to a mine that will eventually be opened as a tourist attraction! Good man! That was pretty cool inside. The walk took just over 3 hours, the highest point looking over La Union, Portman and if not for the haze, Cartegena. It was so hot that day and we were all drenched with sweat, nice :)
Anyway, you'll be able to read all about these adventures in my next few articles so watch out!

A Break in the Mountains

Check out this article if you want to get just a small insight in to some mountains close to use, in the Costa Blanca north. Impressive by anyone's standards, this area boasts mountains, lakes, gorge's and farming the produces tonnes of yummy stuff.

Paste this address in to your browser to access it:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20959&Itemid=31

I'll be going back that way for sure :)

Ryanair Calender Girls Photo Shoot

Wow! This week was fun! We worked on a great project with the publishing house that deal with Ryanair's in-flight magazines. They approached us about helping them our with their 2010 calendar, use this link to read more:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20865&Itemid=31

The calendar will be out from 1 November and as it's for charity, you should treat yourself or someone you know :)

Family Days Out On Land

Hiya. Please use this address to check out a Round Town News article on Casa la Pedrera and all the fun that families can have there:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20150&Itemid=31

This location is great for couples, families with young children and teens, groups and they also have access to another house which is a great wedding venue.

Water Sports on the Costa Blanca

Use this address to check out an article in the Round Town News about what families can do on the Costa during the summer:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20293&Itemid=31

Stand Up Paddle Article

Hiya everyone

My latest article in the Round Town News is about a fairly new activity in Europe, Stand Up Paddle (SUP). Paste this address in to your browser to check it out:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20725&Itemid=31

This was a really cool activity to try out and something that everyone could do! Enjoy :)

VIVA TV Interview

I was interviewed by a local TV station at a lifestyle event in May. Check it out on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjx0pGuWHBA

A bit cringe-worthy, but hey, it's entertainment!

Hot Air Ballooning Article

Check it out!

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20571&Itemid=31

So cool. And for the pictures go to:

http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af108/costa-adventures/Adventures%20-%20Air%202009/

Kneeboarding & Double Trouble

Here is the address for my latest article. This was the most fun I've had all year:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20395&Itemid=31

It has now prompted me to buy my own kneeboard so I have hours of aching and mobility issues ahead of me! Enjoy.

We Love The Summer Holidays!!

Well, the summer is definitely here! Tourist numbers are right up and our accommodation providers, OPI, are all reporting high occupancy rates. Bookings for Costa Adventures are our best yet, with large numbers of families and groups doing activities.
Our top activities include sailing, power boat fun days, sea fishing, wakeboarding, scuba, quads, horse riding, air rifle shooting and archery.
It's just too hot for some of the other activities, such as pole dancing, although we are taking bookings for the winter now.
So far it has been very hot, with temperatures going right up in to the 40's, so we are always advising people to replace not just fluids but salts and minerals. Heat exhaustion is caused when you are exposed to the high heat and do not look after yourself properly, it is very dangerous and can lead to heat stroke. If you think you have it (symptoms include sickness, diarrhea and fever), then get straight to a doctors or accident and emergency at your nearest hospital. Don't forget your E111 and passport.
The beaches are packed and fiestas are happening all over the Costa, so people are making the most of the culture and entertainment while partying till the sun comes up.
Being so busy means less time for my own adventures, but I will be trying out wakeboarding next week! That should be a laugh, for everyone watching me. I'll be writing about it for my next article in the Round Town News and posting the article and pictures here so keep your eyes open.

My First Hot Air Ballooning Experience

It's been a long time since I've gotten up early (pre-08.00) but it was most certainly worth it!
I had the most spectacular morning, gently drifting over familiar territory in a multi-coloured hot air balloon. Today has been a real scorcher (I clocked 37C in the shade at 2pm) and it was really hazy first thing this morning. I still got some good photo's though, check out my Photobucket gallery:

http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af108/costa-adventures/Adventures%20-%20Air%202009/?start=20)

I will be writing an article to appear in the Round Town News and will link it in here as soon as it is published, probably in 3 weeks time.
It was such a serene experience and the family running the business are all lovely. It is easy to see why this is such a popular activity all year round :)

Pole Professionals / Pole Angels

Article about my work with the Pole Professionals for the Round Town News Expo this year:

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18990&Itemid=38

Posters & People

I finally have some posters that have been in the pipeline since February! My graphics skills leave a lot to be desired so my good friend Anthony offered to help me. And a fine job he has done. His skills mixed with my photos have resulted in some pretty impressive looking posters to be hung in the holiday rental company that I have collaborated with called OPI (http://www.opirentals.com/).
It's just a shame that I didn't have some better images of air-based activities to complete the earth, air & sea trilogy. But this just means that I have to do the activities myself and take pictures while at it. So, this weekend I am hot air ballooning and I have just arranged to go flying in a light aircraft when I return from the UK. I am also looking at collaborating with a microlight company in the south Costa Blanca so should get some good shots from them too.
Business is good with clients mainly wanting to do activities where they can stay cool. I am working on a collaboration that involves a local wakeboarder right now so look forward to offering that to people - and having a go myself of course!!

Sailing Article

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20007&Itemid=38

The summer is here!

The weekend has been busy with lots of enquiries for a range of activities. We are now starting to see more movement in the market as people check out what is available over the holidays. Watersports are always a favourite in the summer - for obvious reasons! But now we are seeing more bookings for multi-adventure days where the whole family can get stuck in. I have some spectacular locations for my clients so they really are given the wow factor.

Today we had clients horse riding and quad biking and are expecting the yacht back after being away in Tomas Meastra on a 2-day course. Yesterday we gave a new client a small introduction to power boating. It's always great to see people really getting in to a new activity, knowing that we are giving them a good service with plenty of input on safety. This client has now booked up for his power boating license (ICC - Internacional Certificate of Competence) in August.

It's a busy week ahead with more and more ladies joing the pole dancing classes, and even a couple of guys too! I'll be checking out some more activities so I can write about them in the Round Town News, one being jet skiing. I've never done it before and as a bit of a petrol-head, I'm emmensly excited. Once again taking the educational slant, I will be learning the safety and legislative aspects so I can pass my new found information and experience on to readers at some point over the summer.

Things are hotting up here but I see on the news that Britain is embarking upon a heat wave. I hope people don't get caught out and get sunburnt or too dehydrated.

The Costa Adventures picture gallery is slowly being populated and it gives me great pleasure to offer this free service to clients. Have a look, you may see someone you know!

Kitesurfing article - Round Town News, June 2009

Check it out!

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19786&Itemid=38