Hot. Left the front door open last night so we weren’t as hot as we could have been but we were up by 7.30 before we were desiccated.
Today was porridge for the ladies’ breakfast. I passed on breakfast but made up for it later.
Before too long we were out and on our way to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Got a return ticket to Porthmadog and boarded the train. It’s a steam hauled service. The YCM is interested in trains and had been reading the Talyllyn railway books in the Thomas the Tank engine series.
The journey was longer than I remember from last time we caught the train. They must have extended the line. Also, the line links up at Porthmadog with another narrow gauge line (the Welsh Highland Railway) which runs to Caernarfon via Beddgelert. (Note to MF & DT. Could make a circular Snowdon route using the railway).
The journey was great. You get to see lakes, mountains and waterfalls. Loads of scenery to take in. It really is worth doing.
We walked through Porthmadog found a café and decided on an early lunch. MLW and I had an all day breakfast and the YCM went for fish fingers.
Did I mention it was hot? The YCM and I had an ice cream and we walked back via a toy shop (buying a small Sylvanian Family dog with slide for distraction purposes on the hot journey back) to the station.
We only had 10 minutes to wait until the train departed and the lovely journey was reversed. I found that my head lolled a lot more on this journey and I don’t remember seeing as much.
I awoke when someone mentioned ice creams. MLW had a Solero and magnanimously shared it with me and the YCM. It saved our lives.
We hadn’t seen the steam engine on the way back as the train carriages were getting busy, so we hung around to watch the engine change ends. It also filled up with water. There were two highlights to this for the YCM. Firstly, the coupling mechanism was a lot simpler than the Oxenhope railway. Secondly, she waved to the whole train, from driver through to last carriage and was very pleased with her achievement.
We then popped to the Co-op for stuff for tea and breakfast, cold drinks and the YCM had a Calypso. Turns out we’d done this at school pick up time, and after 5 minutes of peace, calm and cool the place was rammed!
Then we came back to the campsite. MLW sorted drinks for all and I checked with the campsite reception as to whether they took card payments. They didn’t. So, whilst the YCM and MLW had tea I drove into Llanrwst to visit the Post Office talking cash point. It seems I may have been distracted by the New Inn and a pint of Marston’s Saddle Tank.
I returned back, paid our camp fees and found the YCM and MLW ready to go for a shower. It was gin o’clock so I indulged with a few ‘tea’ type items and listened to the football in the car whilst the YCM was put to bed.
Who knows what we’ll do with the rest of the evening.
Noted
ReplyDelete