Prince Charles took up a spot of newt fishing, during a visit to the south Wales valleys on Monday. He was visiting Daerwynno Activity Centre in St Gwynno Forest near Ynysybwl.
Local school children demonstrated rock climbing and the prince tried his luck at trying to catch newts from a pond.
On his first attempt, the prince failed to net anything but pond weed but on his second go, he managed to catch a snail and a worm.
The outdoor centre, part of Cwm Clydach Outdoor group, is a charity which gives youngsters the chance to take part in sports like rock climbing, canoeing and orienteering.
It is also involved in a number of regeneration projects in the area, such as improving footpaths and rubbish clearing.
 |  I asked him if he wanted a bacon sandwich but he just laughed and then my egg broke |
He was introduced to a group of children who showed him various insects they had caught from under wood and stones. He then chatted to their parents about how often they visited the centre.
"Well there is a convenient pub on the way home I suppose," he joked with them, referring to hostelry close to an historic church the prince had earlier visited.
Staff at the centre showed the prince outdoor skills learned by the children including camping and cooking.
Nine-year-old Maddie Davies offered the prince the chance to taste what she was cooking.
"I asked him if he wanted a bacon sandwich but he just laughed and then my egg broke," she said.
Earlier, the prince found out about crystal therapy during a visit to St Tydfil Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil.
'Tremendously encouraging'
He met patients of a complementary therapy programme for elderly people.
He was presented with a crystal - to enhance the owner's spirituality - when he toured a mental health unit.
 The prince's visit coincided with the Prince's Trust 30th anniversary |
The prince told staff that the use of holistic care to treat mental health problems was an issue close to this heart.
After chatting to carers and patients, he made a short speech, describing such projects as "tremendously encouraging".
He added that the adoption of integrated healthcare into mainstream treatment was "something I have tried, for what it's worth, to encourage for the past 24 years".
"Look at the results, look what's happened to me," he joked.
The prince later attended a ceremony to unveil a refurbished cenotaph in Ynysybwl, near Pontypridd.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
