More castles... And a railway or two

Friday was the start of a very special weekend for lovers of steam trains. The Ffestinigg Railway was having a three day special event...sonic course we had to go. the next decision was where to catch it from so we went up to Blaenau Ffestiniog as we thought the parking would be easier. Good decision! It was a slightly tense journey up and we made the odd wrong turn, had to stop for diesel, and got stuck behind slow cars and road works -but it was all good. We could have been super greenies and caught the standard train from Conwy but one can survive only so many trains in one day! At the station...who should we bump in to...but our neighbours Mary and Graeme from our street who have been touring Europe in their combi van since March!! Mary is an incredible wife...they had bought the three day pass for the event so it was three days of train rides and walks in the area for them. The mountains at Blaennau are amazing..full of loose slate as Wales was and still a huge slate mine area (most of them have closed). One of the cool things we saw as we came up in the train was a slate train going down. This is a train with NO engine and just small carriages (this is a narrow gauge railway) carrying slate...and men sitting on each carriage working the brakes.









Have a look at the mustiness in the back of this photo (oh and the train if you like). This is typical of the light we have seen further north..really frustrating given the lack of clarity but it has it's own particular beauty. It tends to burn off and be clearer in the afternoon. Ok...some more train photos to keep the enthusiasts happy















and of the slate hills...



We then travelled back down via Betwys-y-Coed which is where our hosts live and a very very nice village about 20 miles from Conwy. It was way busier than Conwy and a lot more touristy with a very green look mixed with the gorgeous stone buildings. And...yes...a model train museum and shop. Nothing more to say really.