Social & Leisure Activity & Adventure Weekend Breaks & Holidays Dozens of incredible & fun events to choose each month simply book, turn-up & have fun Make new friends or try something amazing with Spice London
Spice London New Members & Welcome Pack
www.spicelondon.co.uk
Hello Everyone! Welcome to our Spice London Member Welcome & Enquiry Pack. Thinking about joining? We hope this enquiry pack will give you a better idea of just what Spice is about and all the fun & exciting things we do. If you do have any questions please take a look at our website or just give us a call at the Spice office. If you like what you see it’s very easy to join Spice online or by phone. New to Spice? It’s great to have you on board, we hope you’ll find lots of fun and exciting things to do and start making lots of new Spice friends. The main thing, if you haven't already done so is to book your first event, so you’re not missing out on all the fun. Take a look at our top tips for some ideas to get the best from your membership. In this pack you’ll find information on what to expect at some of our events, which we hope you find useful, plus some event suggestions to try, perhaps something you hadn’t even thought about, you may just amaze yourself! We run dozens of events each month including social & leisure, activity & adventure, in addition we have a great mix of weekend breaks and holidays all over the world including winter sports & summer chill-out holidays. Unlike some other groups we organise and host our own social events either ourselves or using trusted Spice members, this ensures you get the best possible experience. For our activities we use professional, fully qualified & insured suppliers, so you’re in great hands, all tuition and equipment is provided. Most of these events are suitable for beginners and are a great way to try something new. Many of our members have been with Spice for several years and actively help us so you’ll find this gives Spice London a friendly club atmosphere. In fact we couldn’t run the club without them, so thanks to all of you! We hope to see you on our events very soon, and hope you enjoy reading our Member Welcome & Enquiry Pack.
Rebecca Gregory
Top tips - getting the most from Spice ● Check our website regularly, we update on a daily basis to make sure you don’t miss that “must do event”. ● Booking early means you won’t be disappointed by an event selling out. Although most events do come around again, some outdoor events such as ice curling, surfing, sailing and some walks are seasonal. ● If you have recently joined book your first events as soon as possible and get involved. Besides you’re just missing out on the fun by delaying. ● Book several different types of events, for example a walk, a weekend break and a social. That way you’ll get a wider experience of what Spice is about, plus you’ll get to meet lots of different members. ● Try something different, you never know you may surprise yourself and love it! ● Use the transport share list if you find it difficult to get to an event, most Spice members are more than happy for a bit of company on a long trip. ● Go on the wait list, we do get members cancelling bookings and we can often arrange for extra places. ● Don’t forget Spice UK has some brilliant holidays and weekend breaks, check the website for our latest holidays. ● Remember Spice is a network, one big family you may attend events with another Spice group. ● Call the office if you have any questions about an event or are not sure about something. ● Tell us what you thought, leave feedback on our website, email us or on Facebook. ● Most of our activities are suitable for beginners, you don’t need to supply any equipment or be super-fit to take part. However please read the write-up as you may need to bring suitable clothing or footwear. ● Introduce yourself to the Spice host when arriving at an event, that way they will introduce you to the group so you won’t get left out.
Above all have fun on our events!
Welcome to Spice…
Some of our exciting and fun events Walking & Cycling Weekends Fire Eating & Breathing Dinner Shuffle & Dining Theatres & Concerts Guided Climb over the O2 Surfing Weekends Cocktail Evenings Lazy Chill-out Weekends Afternoon Teas Horse Riding Art Gallery & Museum Visits Canadian Canoeing Wolf Experience Day Clay Pigeon Shooting High Speed Rib Rides Pub Socials & Quizzes Comedy Club Evenings Horse Racing & Concert Evenings Workshops Tours & Visits Day & Weekend Sailing Barn Dances & Ceilidhs
Jazz & Supper Ronnie Scotts Meet & Eat Socials Abseiling & Rock Climbing Forensic Workshops Skiing Holidays Learn to Stand Up Paddle Board Spice Dines Out Pottery Workshops Savoy Chocolate Master Class London Walk & Cycle Tours Bunkhouse Weekends Murder Mystery Weekends Badminton Evenings Royal Opera House Mud Buggy Racing & 4x4 Driving Spice Club Nights Foraging Weekends Wildlife Tours Llama Trekking Behind the Scenes Tours Thames River Boat Parties Lazy Sunday Lunches & Music
How Spice Works Spice is a membership organisation, you must be over 18 to join, there is no maximum age. We do not have a minimum membership period, you may cancel your membership at any time after joining. All of our events are described on our website or newsletter. You may book any event you choose and pay using a credit or debit card either on-line or over the phone. Spice London is one of eight Spice groups throughout the country members may also book onto any event hosted by another Spice group. Membership also allows you to book any of our amazing holidays with Spice UK. We have been running for over 35 years and have vast experience running events so you’re in good hands. Full joining instructions are provided including what to bring and wear plus directions etc. We also operate a transport share list, to help you get to our weekend events. Most members come to Spice events on their own, but don't worry we’re a friendly bunch and you'll be quickly making lots of new friends. Guests are welcome to attend up to 3 events and are then expected to join. Cancellation policy - If we cancel you’ll get a full refund. Let us know if you cannot attend an event as we will try to re-sell your place otherwise there will be a cancellation fee as we pay many of our suppliers up-front. Sorry we cannot refund you if you fail to turn-up. Please see our web-site for our full cancellation terms. All of our suppliers are fully qualified and insured, Spice members also benefit from free personal accident and liability insurance whilst attending any event. Please don’t just turn-up at events, we may not be able to fit you in and you may have a wasted journey.
live your dream!
Activities - lets try something Amazing!
Spice gives you that chance to try something new or amazing, like our incredible fire eating & breathing workshop! Ok, if that one is not for you how about Abseiling, Walking with Wolves, Off Road Segway Riding, Horse Riding, Mud Buggy Racing, 4 x 4 Driving, Learn Fencing or Archery and Kayaking there is so much to choose from!
If you can think of it… Spice has done it!
All Spice activities are aimed at beginners so no experience is necessary. We always use fully qualified & insured professional instructors who provide all the equipment needed. We also like to keep it fun, it’s why you joined after all! Our activities provide a great way to bond with other Spice members and to quickly make new friends. So go on try something new or different, you may amaze yourself and love it! Why not try one of these amazing events?
Fire Eating & Breathing Spice has been running this event for many years and over 2000 Spice members have learnt to eat and breath fire, we believe Spice is the only club running this event regularly. The day starts with some fun confidence building exercises before we meet the challenge. Are we mad, well no not when you know how to do it safely and you will need to book to find-out how. We dare you, in fact we double dare you to book!
Wing Walking
Need we say this one is only for those with a good head for heights, after a safety briefing you are strapped into a harness on top of a Boeing Stearman Biplane and will take part in a display practice, the flight lasts about 10 minutes (that’s enough!) After which you’ll receive a certificate confirming your status as a fully trained wing walker, handy for future job interviews!
Off Road Segway Riding These amazing balancing machines are great fun, you’ll be surprised how quickly you master the basics of control, then we are off to navigate some tricky terrain and a fun ride.
Activity & Adventure…
The 4 elements of Spice Messing about on the Water
The Big Abseil This is another event for those with a good head for heights. The Avon Gorge & Clifton Suspension bridge provides a spectacular backdrop for this 200 foot straight descent, just don’t forget to admire the views on the way down.
Wolf Experience Day An unusual and very popular day as we meet a friendly pack of wolves (it’s OK they are all well-fed!). A member of staff will give a talk and be on-hand to answer your questions. This day allows you to discover more about these animals and hopefully dispel a few myths. There are also lots of photo opportunities. Guided Climb at the O2 An extremely popular event with Spice members, so book early. We meet at ‘base camp’ & kit out for this exhilarating walk over the top of the O2. At the top there is an observation platform where we take in the 360⁰ view over London and also pose for some group photos. Once back on the ground we head for a social meal inside the O2.
Rib Boat Rides
An adrenaline pumping ride either along the Thames taking in the sights as we head downstream from Westminister pier or along the Sussex coast from Eastbourne to the famous Beachy Head lighthouse.
Ice Curling A winter event to watch out for, we head to Fentons Rink near Tonbridge in Kent, the site of England’s only dedicated Ice Curling Rink. This is a brilliant team event, our instructor runs through how to curl the stone over the ice and how the game is played. We then divide into teams for a match, it’s brilliant fun and can become very competitive when knocking out the other teams stones.
Mud Buggy Racing It’s time to get all muddy and very dirty (wear your oldest clothes and bring a towel and a change or clothes) but it’s also brilliant fun as we race about in these 400cc purpose built buggies, it’s guaranteed to be muddy even in the summer as they drench the course!
Kayak River Adventure Cambridge by Canoe Learn to Sail Dragon Boat Racing Rib Boat Rides Canoeing & Kayaking Stand Up Paddle Boarding Narrowboat Weekends Surfing Weekends
In the air - Wind Windsurfing The Big Abseil Wing Walking Hovercraft Racing Flight Simulator Microlight Flying Guided Climb over the O2 View from the Shard & London Eye
Spice on Fire Fire Eating & Breathing Glass Blowing Workshop Bristol Balloon Festival
Back to Earth Rifle & Clay Pigeon Shooting Day Rambles & Walks Quad Biking & Go Karting Climbing & Ice Wall Climbing 4 x 4 Driving Off Road Segway Mud Buggy Racing Day & Weekend Cycle Rides Horse Riding Ice Curling
amaze yourself - try something new!
Weekend breaks Spice runs a wide range of weekend breaks, there’s bound to be lots just right for you. You may want to try one of our fun packed activity weekends such as Walking, Cycling, Sailing, Surfing, Ridge Walking, Canadian Canoeing, Badminton / Tennis or one of our popular Bunkhouse Weekends. All of our activity weekends are suitable for complete beginners and are a great way to try something new, all instruction & equipment is provided by qualified insured instructors. Or you may want to wind-down and relax at the Ascot races, chill-out on a narrow boat, solve a murder (no not a real one!) or brush-up your photography, painting or pottery skills in one of our fun workshops. Our weekends are a great opportunity to get to know other Spice members over a longer period and make lasting friendships.
Surfing in Croyde Bay Wax-up your board surfs-up and we are off to North Devon for some fun! Croyde Bay with it’s sandy beaches and spectacular coastline is a great place to try this exhilarating sport. We run a couple of these weekends each summer and they are always very popular with Spice members. All equipment and tuition is provided.
Canadian canoes Explore some of our beautiful rivers & streams by Canadian canoe. Our friendly and experienced guides teach you the various strokes needed to navigate your way down the river, popular destinations include the River Wye, the New Forest, the River Medway and the Thames. Narrow boats Feeling stressed? There is no better way than to relax and unwind on a narrow boat and just watch the world go by. The only interruptions being a few locks, a canal-side lunch or mooring-up alongside the bank for an evening BBQ or a country pub visit. These weekends are a sociable & fun way to relax and to totally de-stress.
Spice national parties
We run several of these throughout the year across the country, the idea is for all the Spice groups to get together to make new friendships and re-kindle old ones. For example In 2016 Spice celebrated its 35�� anniversary in Leeds with a huge black tie party plus throughout the weekend lots of fun activities were organised. Spice also arranges a National Murder Mystery Weekend, a Butlins 80’s Party Weekend and also fun multi activity UK holiday resort weekends such as the brilliant all inclusive Potters resort in Norfolk.
Dragon boat racing Another huge national Spice event.
Up to twenty people sitting side by side in a forty foot long boat with a carved dragons head and tail attached. A drummer in the prow beating time and a steerer in the stern keeping the boat on course with a giant paddle with the crew side by side speeding the boat down the river to the finishing line, which Spice group will win this year?
UK city breaks
Fancy a gentle weekend punting in Cambridge or a trip to historic York, Musical Liverpool, trendy Cardiff or Manchester? Often these weekends are run alongside a party or a black tie ball. These weekends are a great excuse to get away and explore another part of the UK.
M4 The Weekend
Weekends…
Spice
European city breaks
Fancy a weekend exploring Rome, Venice, Florence, Paris, Copenhagen, Nice, Bucharest, Prague or Krakow? These are just some of the fascinating places we have visited over the last few years. We normally run a few breaks each year, a great chance to getaway and explore somewhere new or to return to an old favourite. A Spice host accompanies the group to help arrange excursions and meals and ensure everyone has a great time.
Cycling Get on your bike with Spice, cycling is a brilliant sociable way to explore the countryside and you can see so much more whilst covering a reasonable distance. For most of our cycling weekends you don’t need to be a Chris Hoy or a Victoria Pendleton, a reasonable level of fitness is all that is needed. We use knowledgeable guides who make the most of your weekend, bikes are supplied although you can bring your own if you wish. Recently we have cycled in the New Forest, Bournemouth & Swanage, The Cotswolds, The Peak District and also around Bath.
Bunkhouse chill-out & mixed activities We run a few of these each year, we may do some walking, cycling, enjoy a boat trip, explore the local area or you can just relax with other Spice members. For many of these we use YHA bunkhouses and although the accommodation is simple these are all in a great location or the building is unusual such as an Oast house or a listed country cottage. Some of our favourites have been in the Surrey Hills where we run foraging weekends, The Isle of Wight, Eastbourne and Littlehampton all great for walking and the Chiltern Hills for it’s surprising get-away from it all isolation. Usually we include a meal or a BBQ one evening and provide a simple cooked breakfast. These weekends provide great value and Spice members are expected to muck in and help out with some of the tidying and washing up, which is all part of the fun.
Fun workshop weekends Want to brush-up on your painting skills or want to try something new like photography, pottery, orienteering then Spice has it covered. Our photography workshops are an informative but fun way to improve your skills (you will need a SLR camera or one you can manually adjust) we hold these in Woolacombe, Snowdon and even in Venice & Florence, a great European getaway excuse! Try something really different such as a birds of prey weekend, you get the chance to fly owls & buzzards from your own gloved hand!
Bunkhouses City Breaks Horse Riding Sea Kayaking Narrow Boating Murder Mystery Edinburgh Festival Ascot Races & Party Night Badminton & Tennis Coaching Bristol Balloon & Harbour Festivals
Plus lots more more time, more fun!
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Walking with Spice Walking is very big in Spice and we offer a range of walking breaks from simple Sunday Rambles usually with a well-earned lunch stop at a pub through to walking weekends in Norfolk, the Cotswold's, the Lake District or Snowdonia. Our friendly Walkwise team are fully qualified, insured and knowledgeable and offer an amazing choice of weekend walks to suit all levels all over the country. We get together on Friday evening for a drink and a meal and plan the weekend, Walkwise usually offers a choice of two walks for the Saturday and Sunday an easier and a tougher option for those who want more of a challenge. We also run walking breaks over bank holidays and over the Christmas and New Year periods. We also offer a number of walking holidays abroad so be sure to check out our holiday program if you fancy a longer break away. Most of our walks can be attempted by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness but please read the details carefully & let our guides know if you have any medical conditions which may affect your ability to complete the walk. You should ensure you have proper walking boots & suitable warm waterproof clothing, layers are best (jacket & trousers or gaiters plus a hat & gloves in winter). Also bring with you some water and a snack or lunch, a small rucksack is also handy, many walks stop at a pub for lunch so bring some money. You are fully insured on all of our walks, another bonus of Spice membership and all our walk leaders are equipped with maps & first aid kits. Sorry dogs are not normally allowed on Spice walks, however some walk leaders do allow them on our day walks but you must check first. Above all our walks are fun & sociable and are a great way to meet & chat to other Spice members.
Walking‌ just get out there
Sailing with Spice
Spice has partnered with Encompass Sailing to provide the best possible sailing experiences for our members. You can choose from a fun weekend cruising the Solent which provides a safe sailing area with lots of passage options, whatever the weather, or a spectacular cruise along the Jurassic coast between Poole & Weymouth. Our Encompass yacht Kelana is moored near Chichester. We start on Friday evening and plan the weekend over a relaxed meal and a drink at the marina. On Saturday after a full safety briefing and a weather check we set off maybe for Cowes, the Beaulieu River, Yarmouth or Lymington returning Sunday afternoon to Chichester. All of our skippers are experienced Yachtmasters and will provide you the experience you are looking for either a relaxed sail or to get involved helming, tacking, setting the sails and mooring and also to teach a few important knots! These weekends are suitable for those that have never sailed and also more experienced skippers who want to gain more experience whilst having fun. We also provide the opportunity for more adventurous members to cross the channel to Cherbourg in France or to the Channel Islands. For those with some sailing experience, join Spice members for the thrilling “Round the Island” race in which nearly 2000 boats race the 50 nautical miles around the Isle of Wight starting at Cowes. For those who fancy a warm sunny sailing experience, Encompass have Delphini moored in Malta. We fly out early on Friday morning to Malta arriving just before lunchtime this gives you the chance to sail Friday afternoon, all-day Saturday & Sunday, for our flight home on Monday morning. Depending upon the weather it is possible to sail around Malta and its northerly island Gozo with plenty of chances for a warm swim. Both Yachts are Dehler 39’s, comfortable but providing an exciting sail. For our UK sailing please ensure you bring warm clothes, layers are best (we provide a kit list upon booking). Lifejackets and wet weather gear are provided as are breakfasts and picnic lunches, marina charges, normally a few pounds are extra & shared between the group.
Sailing… boatloads of fun
Social & Leisure Many members join just for our brilliant mix of fun social & leisure events. These often make good first events and are an easy way to get you started. Going to your first event may seem a bit daunting but don’t worry we have all been there, just jump straight-in Spice members are sociable and you will soon be making new friends. Our mix of social events include Meals Out & Dinner Shuffles, Jazz & Comedy Evenings, Theatre, Opera, Shows & Concerts. Bowling & Pub Quizzes, Parties & Cocktail Evenings, Wine Tasting & Afternoon Teas. Visits to all sorts of places of interest and Exhibitions. We also run a number of regular monthly events, our monthly socials nights are a great chance for members to get together over a social drink and a bite to eat, there’s no need to book just turn-up. We also have drop in & play badminton evenings.
Spice - more fun, more friends!
Social & Leisure…
Dinner Shuffle Meals Our shuffle meals are always very popular which isn’t surprising as they are lots of fun. The idea is to shuffle places between each course, it’s a great way to mingle with lots of other Spice members. It may look a bit chaotic (don’t worry it isn’t) but that’s just part of the fun and our restaurants are very used to it. When you arrive introduce yourself to our host they will give you a piece a paper with a place number for each course you simply need to move to that seat at the end of each course it’s simple and fun.
Spice National Events These events allow Spice members from all over the country to get together and include our National Murder Mystery Weekends and Dragon Boat Racing. Our Party Weekends featuring 70’ or 80’s cover bands, are for serious party animals only - don’t expect to get much sleep!
Parties
If there is one thing about Spice members is they sure know how to party and how to have a great time. We usually arrange a buffet meal which is followed by a disco or live music. At New Year there is always something special arranged including Gala Dinners with a Disco or a Thames river boat party cruise in London, a themed dinner or even a New Year break in Venice.
Pub Quiz Nights
These are always very popular and are a fun way to spend the evening, our Spice quizmaster's will organise you into teams but just remember their word is final when it comes to the answers!
Visits to Places of Interest & Exhibitions Spice is great for visits to all those places of interest you’ve always wanted to see. It may be somewhere well-known such as the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens & RHS Wisley, or a day exploring Greenwich. Or it could be something a bit more quirky or unusual that you didn’t know about, such as the Thames River Police Museum in Wapping, a visit to a Hindu Temple or the very bizarre Dennis Sever’s House. We also do a number of behind the scenes tours including the Royal Opera House, Shakespeare's Globe and Wimbledon Lawn Tennis club. We usually go for lunch or a meal afterwards which makes it a lot more sociable.
Afternoon Teas & Wine Tasting
Another very popular way of spending a few hours. Our wine tasting sessions usually focus on a wine from a particular country (Italy, Argentina, France etc.) and are a fun and fantastic way to discover new wines. Our afternoon teas are a relaxed way to spend a few hours with other Spice members. Often we go for an afternoon tea after a tour or visiting an exhibition
Dining Out & Lunches We love dining out and like to try different types of restaurants to suit all budgets from a simple pizza to fine dining. We always have a Spice host at our meals, make sure you say ‘hi’ to our host when you arrive & they will then introduce you to the other members and help get the group to gel. At the end of the meal our host will settle the bill & collect any money for drinks (these are not normally included as this allows you to only pay for what you have had, please remember restaurants do add a service charge to the drinks bill). Lookout for our Jazz lunches (Ronnie Scotts is always very popular) these are a brilliant way to relax with some music, a glass of wine and some Spice company.
more fun, more friends!
Social & Leisure London Strolls Cycle Rides & Tours London is a fascinating city, but how many of us have explored even a fraction of it? We run a number of tours including blue badge guides plus some unusual themed tours. These are a great way to explore, we usually head off to the pub afterwards for a bite to eat and a sociable drink or two.
Pay As You Go & Meet and Eat Our Pay As You Go meals allow you the flexibility to choose your meal and pay for what you have on the night (please remember to add any service) we do charge a small booking fee to cover our costs. Our Meet & Eat evenings are a great way to relax with other Spice members over a meal and a drink or two. As usual there is always a Spice host to help with the introductions
Theatre, Opera, Concerts & Comedy London has an amazing choice of great venues for an evening out. Spice arranges regular visits to the Royal Opera House and London Theatres to see some of the latest shows plus some old favourites. There will be a Spice host to welcome you along, hand out the tickets and arrange a sociable interval drink in the bar (If you’re a bit late we usually leave your ticket in the box office for you to collect). In the summer months we get together for racing and after racing concerts at Epsom Downs or Sandown race courses. We also run regular comedy evenings at the Tattershall castle and many other venues.
Club Socials & Preview Nights Our club socials & preview nights are a great way for members to catch-up with each other and socialise over a drink or two in relaxed surroundings. If you are a new member or have never been why not drop by, there is no need to book. They are also a way for prospective members to find out more about us and you can join on the night. A Spice host will be on-hand to help with the introductions, it’s very relaxed and friendly. We hold these in Central London, St Albans, Bromley, Sevenoaks, Epsom, Upminster, Richmond & Guildford, take a look at our web site for the next one near you.
more fun, more friends!
The majority of Spice members are in their 40's and 50's. If you're lucky enough to be younger than this then why not check out our partner company Thinking Bob. With many of the same events and run with the same ethos, they offer a range of great socials for you to discover more of London and meet people you click with. To start building your new social circle head to
www.thinkingbob.co.uk or call 0207 4584118
Spice holidays something for everyone
Whatever you want to do: Weekend Breaks, Skiing, Chilling-Out, Walking, Cycling, Water Sports, Dog Sledding in Lapland or Visiting that amazing far off destination Spice has it covered. Spice UK arranges dozens of holidays & weekend breaks every year and you're guaranteed to be having a great time with lots of like-minded Spice members.
Amazing Places Russia & Moscow, Cuba Vietnam & Cambodia, India Sicily, Iceland, Lapland Venice before Christmas Weekend Breaks Rome, Venice, Stockholm, Bucharest, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, Prague Activity & Adventure Ireland Walking Walking the Transylvanian Alps La Santa Sports Golfing Costa Brava Grand Canyon Rafting Skiing in the Alps Relax & Chill-out Turkey Cruise Italian Wine Harvest Croatia Chill-Out Italian Lakes
Holidays‌ Relax - Explore - Excite - Discover
Skiing With Spice
Skiing is very popular in Spice with each group arranging its own trip each winter to the Alps. In addition Spice UK offers lots more choices to Europe & Canada. One of the great things about Skiing with Spice is you can always ski with a group of a similar ability, whether it’s blasting that heart thumping black or pottering about on a gentle green run before a hot chocolate stop. Our trips always have a Spice host to ensure you get the best from your trip arranging ski groups, lunch meets and the all-important apres ski activities including group meals. Spice use leading travel companies such as Mark Warner, Inghams & Ski Olympic and you only pay their brochure price and often less!
Les Arcs / Vallandry France
We normally have between 20 to 50 Spice members booked for each trip and have skied some fantastic resorts including Banff, in Canada. In Europe we have skied Val D’Isere, the 3 Valleys, Les Arcs (France), St Anton (Austria), Verbier, Zermat (Switzerland), Sauze D’Oulx, Cortina (Italy) and Andora plus lots more. For our next ski season we plan to return to some of these favourites plus some new destinations, we hope you will join us for lots and lots of fun in the white stuff!
Spicy fun in the white-stuff!
The 2-part BBC TV program with Dan Snow re-creating Major Powell’s 1869 expedition rafting the Colorado River was of special interest to all those Spice members who have also rafted one of the most awesome rivers in the world. Powell must have experienced unimaginable hardships for 10 months with 4 small wooden boats and limited food supplies. Fortunately for Spice members running the Colorado river in eight days things have changed a lot! The food is plentiful & tasty, the camping equipment modern and the experienced river guides from the Grand Canyon Expeditions Company. navigate the large inflatable RIBS through some huge rapids safely. A typical days rafting starts early just when it’s getting light (no need for watches, we simply call it ‘river time’) with a call for “Hot Coffee” followed by a tasty breakfast of bacon & scrambled eggs or blueberry pancakes & fresh fruit. Everyone helps load the raft and the river guides tie everything down & we set off down the river to explore. Some days the rapids come one after another, those at the front of the raft usually getting a drenching those in the middle a cooling splash, exciting yes, scary no. Along the way our river guides tell us about the early explorers such as Powell & the ecology & wildlife plus the amazing geology, a trip down the river is a trip back in time nearly 2 billion years! We make plenty of stops hiking to explore the many side canyons, rivers & waterfalls usually for a refreshing swim or just cooling off under a waterfall. Some of the highlights are Vasseys Paradise a green oasis where waterfalls cascade from the side of the canyon. Red-wall cavern, a huge cave carved by the river into the rock. Nankoweap where we hike to an amazing granary carved in the sheer rock face by native Americans . The lovely waterfalls at Shinumo Creek, Elves Chasm, Deer & Stone Creeks. Havasu Creek with it’s beautiful warm turquoise water makes a fantastic spot for swimming and relaxing for a few hours. Along the way the views become more spectacular as the canyon gets deeper, in places it’s possible to see the top of the rim, 1 mile above the river. For lunch we stop on a small beach and a tasty selection of salads, meats, cheeses bread/wraps & fruit are set-up, there is no going hungry on this trip! We run a few huge rapids and by late afternoon start looking for somewhere to camp on a beach along the river. The raft is unloaded and we grab a well-earned cold beer or glass of wine whilst our river guides prepare our evening meal, which is always amazing and varied, steak, fish, pasta, they even bake cakes for dessert. As the sun sets colours on the canyon walls change & Greg our river guide gets out his guitar sings & plays a few songs and invites us to sing along, we all do! Finally we turn-in to our comfortable camp beds, looking forward to another day in this very special place, overhead the Milky Way arches above and we fall asleep counting shooting stars.
Spice run this trip each year, join us for an amazing experience.
an amazing experience
21 Reasons for Joining Spice London Make lots of new friends very quickly Try something new or amazing We arrange & run our own events Everything is organised for you, just turn-up A Spice host is at every event An amazing mix of events to choose from A fantastic choice of holidays Try something you wouldn’t believe possible We have lots of experience, you’re in good hands Spice members are fun & friendly Spice is a national network Spice is local to you Great value membership Anyone can join - single or couples Age doesn't matter (providing you’re 18+) We often get discounts & pass these on Learn a new skill, interest or keep fit You’re fully insured on all Spice events Friendly & safe - we know our members Want help? phone us we’re not just online Don’t just meet up - live your dream!
Most importantly Spice is great fun! Spice London www.spicelondon.co.uk Gainsborough House, 2 Sheen Road Richmond, Surrey TW9 1AE rebecca@spicelondon.co.uk 020 8973 2355