This year's Active with Diabetes Walking Holiday took place from 19th – 24th May at Ceredigion in Wales.
Lee Calladine, Events Co-ordinator, said of the week, 'We decided to base this year’s 'Active with Diabetes' walking holiday in Ceredigion because we haven't walked in Wales before and really wanted to hold an event in this beautiful part of the UK.'
'The highlight of the week was meeting up with some regular faces and welcoming new walkers into the fold. Everyone got on really well and there was lots of chatter and laughter to accompany the walking activities and stunning scenery. It was an unusually hot and sunny week which made the walks more challenging, but that didn’t seem to detract from everyone enjoying themselves'.
Upon arrival on the first evening delegates met together with Lee Calladine, DRWF Events Co-ordinator and Angela Sealeaf, DSN, who would accompany them throughout the week. Over dinner they were given an introductory briefing to the week by Ramblers guide, John Woods.
The next morning after breakfast delegates assembled from the hotel for the first walk from Cardigan and on to Cilgerran. The group enjoyed a brief tea break at the Wildlife Park Education Centre and a packed lunch at the Cilgerran picnic site before continuing the final leg of the walk back to Cardigan. An impressive ten miles were walked on the first day.
On the second day the temperature climbed even higher, which added to the difficulty of the walk. The group was transported by coach to Newport, stopped for lunch at Aber Forest Beach and made a total of eight and a half miles before coming full circle back to Newport.
Day three saw a coach journey to Llangrannog for another eight mile walk along the beautiful coastal paths, which took in Penbryn, Tresaith and Aberporth along with a well earned lunch stop at the Cartwys Café in Penbryn.
The last day saw the group make a coach journey to Moylegrove, and set off towards Poppit Sands. The guide John decided to shorten the walk slightly because the weather had reached an exhausting 29 degrees Celsius.
First time walkers Wendy & John Beecher said, 'Thank you and congratulations for organising such a splendid walking holiday for people with diabetes. As first timers we both enjoyed the whole experience very much indeed - excellent company, challenging coastal walks, hotel in great position and good food.
As someone with type 1 diabetes for 50 years I found the holiday both supportive and informative, lovely to chat with others and have a laugh, learn about different experiences and meet such pleasant people.
Special thanks to Lee and Angela for looking after everyone so well and being such cheerful folk, it was a pleasure to meet you both, indeed all of the group. We would definitely like to come again next year.'
DRWF would like to express thanks to Angela Sealeaf for her continued support to the charity.