I AM poised like a modern-day Robin Hood, preparing to shoot the archery target in front of me. I have a sturdy bow in one gloved hand and an arrow in the other.
The rousing sound of military music echoes from the camouflaged walls.
“Imagine there’s a burglar in your house,” says Bear Grylls, as he stands behind me and perfects my aim.
“It’s your last chance to shoot him.
I feel a wave of primal energy as the arrow hurtles towards its target.
Despite my best efforts, it misses and bounces to the floor.
“You would be dead by now,” he tells me with a stern grin.
I am at The Bear Grylls Adventure at the NEC Birmingham, where I am lucky enough to have a one-to-one archery lesson from the king of survival himself.
The centre is the perfect place for families to challenge themselves through a series of adrenalin-filled activities.
Daredevils can face their fears 60ft above the ground on the High Ropes, or conquer the summits on an indoor climbing wall.
There is also an assault course, inspired by the Royal Marines’ own course at Lympstone, Devon, to put explorers through their paces.
“This place is all about giving people an experience of adventure,” says Bear.
“Everywhere you look there are signs saying, ‘Never give up’. It’s about courage and kindness. All of these values shine through. We’ve got the highest free-rope course in Europe, archery and huge climbing walls. It’s about getting people out there and doing all the amazing stuff they see on TV.”
Despite his impressive set of conquests, which include three years with the Special Forces and climbing Everest, there is one activity that still gives Bear the shivers.
