"We are all better than we know. If only we can be brought to realise this, we may never be prepared to settle for anything less." (Kurt Hahn, co-founder of Outward Bound)

The Outward Bound Trust exists to turn these words into reality for an ever-increasing number of young people, with their mission being to unlock their potential through discovery and adventure in the wild.

And I have grabbed the opportunity to be a mentor for a group of young people on their journey of discovery, of going beyond their limits, comfort zones and daily routine, to experience nature and build a personal experience that will transform and settle in each of them so differently and yet... would be such a great personal introspection opportunity and a fantastic personal achievement.

I am off to Wales for a week in October (...and it never rains in Wales:D) to be part of a team with these young people, to get to know each other in a different way, go camping, climb mountains, do the 'jog'n'dip' (7am wake up and run for a mile or two straight into the 'warm October sea' for a swim:D), discover nature's secrets and why some sheep are paited in red whereas others are blue... (are they feeling blue, perhaps?!).

Mentoring these young people will be fun and am welcoming any ideas on how to explain why 'Shepherds pie' is called like that or why can't we pack our hair straightener when we go camping, but it will equally be a big challenge for me to make the most of it for them and for myself...

I did my bit of practice beforehand and went on to climb mount Snowdon in Wales, Snowdonia in July and I shared this amazing and memorable experience with 3 other friends! We took on the challenge of going up the most difficult route and we got onto the top pretty ...pleased:)) - see pictures attached. There we are 3 hours and 1085m later! ...And, please, you people who are coming from countries with higher mountains, ...don't mock it!! Don't make the same mistake we did:) You'd be surprised to know how it feels in your bones and to come to realize that going up stiff vallies, starting from 400m above the sea level... - it's a pretty fancy challenge... You realize, while you're on it and better keep going up rather than turning back (not that we'd ever considered this!), that there's no one there to reward you for getting up after the 3min break ..and if you've done it successfully (without moaning) once, it doesn't come by default the next time - you may even have to put a bigger effort every time... Just a snapshot;) The feeling up there was ...just like literally up in the clouds...:)

I am a firm believer that this world, down here, on the ground:), would be a better place if we'd be given the chance to discover our passions and talent, fulfill our potential and... follow the dreams we build around these... My challenge is to ensure these young people get the most out of this opportunity and transform it into a life experience!

It will definitely be one of a kind for me and I look forward to it!