May 2013 Holiday - Days 3 & 4

After yesterday, the dogs needed a good walk. We decided to visit the Isle of Anglesey and get in a bit of bird-watching, too. We crossed the Britannia Bridge onto Ynis Mon, new territory for both of us. The countryside here was a stark contrast to the Snowdonia National Park. It reminded me of the other Welsh extremity, Pembrokeshire.

Our first stop was at Newborough Warren, a National Nature Reserve. As we pulled into the car park, we noticed that a foal had just that minute been born.

When we came back almost two hours later, we witnessed the new born get to its feet for the first time, after some frantic nudging from the mare. She was also pre-occupied in keeping the other two nosy horses away from her precious off-spring, threatening them with a mouth full of teeth if they attempted to come too close.

Walking along the public footpath at the back of the dunes, we were welcomed by the song of many Whitethroats coming from the Blackthorn and Willow scrub. As we entered the forested part, our attention was drawn to a low croaking noise. After some manoeuvering  we did find the Raven's nest and clocked one of the adults. We also had our first Garden Warbler of the year.

Feeling better for the walk, we headed north for some sea-birds, courtesy of the RSPB watch point at South Stack.

South Stack lighthouse, Anglesey.

Jenny was told where she could see a couple of nesting Puffins (without crossing to the lighthouse), while I enjoyed seeing a pair of Choughs feeding in a small field right by the RSPB cafe. Many visitors missed these  and had to be content with distant views  from Ellins Tower of the birds returning to their nest in a gulch at the back of one of the stacks. We also notched up Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, and another pair of Ravens that were assisting the piratical Greater Black-backs to raid incoming birds carrying food.

In the evening, we returned to the pub at Garreg (non-cooking day!), taking the narrow, twisty and hilly by-road from Tan-y-Bwlch. Care and quick reactions needed to avoid the locals!

After an early morning walk and necessary caravan duties (small space, four occupants), we set off for Blaenau Ffestiniog. After a couple of false starts (mobile 'phone, etc.), we got to the far end of this ribbon village and parked in the municipal car park, cost £3.50 for over 4 hours. I Like. 

Part of the main square, celebrating slate.

Being Caravan Club members, we collected a 20% discount on our already discounted pensioner concession return fares . The dogs were still £3.00 each and we paid £14.60 each, a 28% saving on the full fare which is currently £20.20 for a round trip.
The Rheilffordd Ffestiniog is celebrating 150 years of steam power and is still using the original diminutive locomotives dating back to 1863. We were pulled by one of the unique Double Fairlie engines.

My & Cerise's tickets
Note the humour.

"JAK" about to travel 'back to the engine'.

The 11.50 left on time. By the time we got to the cross-over point at Tan-y-Bwlch, we were early and had to wait for the 'down' train - which goes up, of course! We left on schedule at 12.20. More stunning views. We pulled into Porthmadog 13 & 1/2 miles later, just before 13.00. A completely different view of the estuary here, from The Cob, than from the new by-pass (A 487), and a chance to snatch a little bird-watching. 

The Afon Glaslyn from the Cob.
Mount Snowdon, far horizon,left,just visible behind Moel-ddu

Porthmadog - end of the line.
Welsh Highland engine on the left.

The return journey began at 13.40, leaving plenty of time for a coffee and some sandwiches and a bit of cake. Here are some of the photos taken en route back to the slate quarries. The main engineering work of recent years took place at Tanygrisiau when a reservoir was built. The line had to be diverted and, in order to gain height to avoid the maximum height of the water in the reservoir, the track was taken up the valley sides in a spiral.  All done by volunteers, this took a number of years but is now one of the major attractions of the line.

Steam up to start the spiral

Crossing over the line

Sheep on the old embankment west of the old tunnel.
The access track, used to build the new line, in the foreground

The old line was showing, with water levels low in the reservoir.
Original tunnel entrance can be seen right of centre.
Access track, now a footpath, this side of the water.

The railway is fully modernised with electronic signals and barrier lights at crossings. The only exception is the full barrier at Penrhyn, which is manned.

After Tanygrisiau, a couple of unmanned crossings.
Note the scars of the slate mining in the background.

With a 3.pm end to our "tourist" day, we mosied along to the site for a spag. bol. and a good read; my preference was to finish Tess Gerritsen's "Whistle Blower". Apt. That's what holidays are all about - see the sights, support the local economy and chill out with a good book.