Helen Menhinick - Hill and Moorland Leader
the path I took to get here...
Even though I always wanted to work outside it didn't quite work out like that. I wasn't very happy at school and yearned to be outdoors in my wellies - I messed up sixth form, left home and got a job in a Holland and Barrett (a health food shop). Even though I was still very young, what I learnt there was instilled in me; how to be healthy, how to be holistically healthy, and what was meant by a good diet. This was 1988 - the yuppies came in to buy their Evain spring water and their Purdeys energy drink; it was the only place to get live yoghurt. Then, me being me, I wanted change so I left after 18 months and started on an Engineering course at Shrewsbury Tech.
BTEC Ordinary National Diploma in Engineering - that's what I signed up for. It got off to a very bad start; my mind was on other stuff and then towards the end of the first term, my tutor Mr. Hoof called me to his office and had a really good talk with me. I remember being quite upset and realising that somebody was actually interested in my well-being and potential, and it left me thinking about my future. A couple of months later he dropped dead. I felt completely lost and shocked all at the same time but from that point on I threw myself into the course (a very male dominated world) and won an award at the end of both years for best results.
In my free time I did a lot of cycling round Great Britain with my mum, staying in Youth Hostels, balanced out with being involved in the 'scootering scene' - I went on many rallies, experiencing the highlights of Britain's great seaside towns- Margate, Oban, Great Yarmouth, Exmouth, Rhyl, to name just a few.
and then for something completely different......
.......I decided to go to Conwy School of Yachting in the summer of 2009 to complete a Competent Crew course. It was in June and I was expecting unpredictable seas and a truly exhilarating time but somehow North Wales experienced one of the hottest weeks in history, The scenery around Anglesey was spectacular but sometimes we had to use the motors as the sea, unusually, was like a mill pond. Sailing up the Menai Straits was tense and tricky because it is a narrow, rocky channel and tidal in both directions causing dangerous currents. I passed!
.......I decided to go to Conwy School of Yachting in the summer of 2009 to complete a Competent Crew course. It was in June and I was expecting unpredictable seas and a truly exhilarating time but somehow North Wales experienced one of the hottest weeks in history, The scenery around Anglesey was spectacular but sometimes we had to use the motors as the sea, unusually, was like a mill pond. Sailing up the Menai Straits was tense and tricky because it is a narrow, rocky channel and tidal in both directions causing dangerous currents. I passed!
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My working life as a science technician began in 2010, an 'on your feet job' - really varied and interesting but very low paid. But nevertheless I bought my own house and in 2013 I transferred to the high school where my children were. I loved trialing the experiments and I would go to great lengths to get them to work. It was an experience having an insight into how schools were run and I loved working in a lab environment where things popped and sparked - it was great fun. |
In the summer of 2013 I took off with my 3 boys to Europe for 4 weeks, living in my small van with a box of camping stuff; stove, kettle, tea bags etc. This is probably the best time I've ever had - I loved the nomadic aspect of it and not having to answer to anyone - making my own plans day by day. We travelled through Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Very happy memories.
I was involved in a serious cycling accident in 2016. While I recovered I decided to pursue my love of walking and obsession with maps, and in 2018 while still working as a science technician I set up my own business called Bryn Walking and built my own website. I did a few guided walks and had a route published in a walking magazine but I felt that I needed to get more credibility and a professional status, So I signed up for a Hill and Moorland Leader course with Bigfoot Services Ltd. One thing led to another, and 2019 I achieved so much, as well as climbing Crib Goch and leading many walks.
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2019 was a busy year in many ways - I opened an Airbnb, having renovated a dilapidated office on our property. A luxury 2 bedroom apartment - Bryn Heulog Holidays with fantastic views over Newtown. It was a mammoth task - lots of time, lots of energy and lots of management but we got there in the end and it turned out exactly how I visualised it to be. It took 18 months to renovate and be ready for renting. |
Over the years I have done a fair amount of long distance, endurance walks. All of which I did with my sister Katie. We have completed the Rotary Cross Wales Walk five times and the Race to the Sea which was our favourite.
Over the last 5 years I have done lots of fantastic walking in Spain, getting up before sunrise when the air is cool.
Over the last 5 years I have done lots of fantastic walking in Spain, getting up before sunrise when the air is cool.
Volunteering
I'm part of the Powys Countryside Services volunteer group, helping to repair footpaths, bridges and stiles. I run a community litter picking group to help to keep Newtown a clean town. Last year the group was awarded a grant from the town council. I am an accredited British Heart Foundation trainer for their HeartStart first aid course. I was one of 4 leaders taking The Milton Mountaineers up Snowdon - a group of 15 blind walkers and their guides. It was a fantastic experience. |
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So, after a few knocks and bumps, ups and downs, that's me to-date.
My final thank you is to all my family for being supportive, understanding and full of good advice.
My final thank you is to all my family for being supportive, understanding and full of good advice.
The future..,,,, more walking events, more adventures, more wild camps, and treks overseas in 2021. I'll be providing lots of NNAS courses and BHF heartstart courses.
Very soon Bryn Walking will be launching 'Bryn Walking - for Women' offering walks, courses and treks just for women.
Very soon Bryn Walking will be launching 'Bryn Walking - for Women' offering walks, courses and treks just for women.