Once again I won’t be going to the Green Man Festival which is happening this weekend near Crickhowell. It’s sold out, which is great for the organisers, but my little tent will have to stay unopened for another year.
No matter, there’s plenty going on, and at least one event this Saturday won't be dependent on sunshine for its success: A new climbing wall is opening in Abergavenny.
Actually, it looks as if it’s going to be much more than just a wall. There are circuits and a training area, as well as a small shop and a café in the AberRocks indoor bouldering centre down in Castle Meadows Park.
I hadn’t heard the word 'bouldering' before – it apparently means rock climbing without ropes. What a great way to occupy youngsters on holiday from school who are in danger of getting bored and fractious!
The centre welcomes all ages, though they say that under-18s need to be accompanied by an adult and under-8s are probably best to start with rope-climbing rather than bouldering. That does make sense, for safety reasons, though be assured that there's some 300mm-thick safety matting beneath all the climbing surfaces.
To celebrate their opening, AberRocks is holding a climbing party and competition on Saturday. Put on your gym kit and get along there early for an introductory session from 10am if you haven’t climbed before, and join in the fun of the competition from 12 till 5. What a great addition to Abergavenny life!
And if the call of the wild gets to you on Sunday, there will be a 9-mile guided walk along Offa's Dyke Path starting at 10am from Penrhos. For more information visit http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/events/start/21-08-2011/end/21-08-2011. The National Trail that follows Offa's Dyke is 40 years old this year, so why not celebrate the anniversary with a brisk saunter in some of our best local countryside?
Whatever you do, have a great weekend!