Bit of a bugger

It's been a week since I had any "safe" computing power. For some inexplicable reason, Windows 7 decided it would pack up and take everything along with it overnight (during an update). 100% system failure and complete loss of backup data. We tried to recover the system and data but to no avail and have had to re-install everything from scratch (OS, updates, updates of updates, update all drivers, programs, etc) and begin to input all the lost data from CD, memory stick or paper files, or transfer from my old computer.

I will have to re-enter ca. 5,500 ringing records just to cover what I have done since moving house. The first job is to get 2013 ringing data on. I do have some 'saved' backup  for previous years but, at the moment, I can't seem to merge the data/files. This looks like a fortnight of evenings, at least, are spoken for.

While I'm trying to sort this mess out, the carpets are being shampooed, the kitchen is being painted and the gutters replaced. The lawns and the hedges need cutting but the weather forecast is not in our favour (i.e. wet and windy). I'll need to make an effort to return to "normal".

The external hard drive will stay plugged in from now on! 

May 2013 Holiday - Days 7 & 8

We didn't feel like doing much on day 7, except find somewhere to walk the dogs. We thought we'd do a bit of 'sight-seeing' instead.

After Porthmadog, we turned left, down towards the Lleyn peninsula. After 13 miles, you come to Pwllheli, home of another Butlins. This stretch of coast has numerous holiday homes (chalets and caravans) all sandwiched between the A499 and the sea.The centre of Pwllheli, I think, is a dump, and a traffic nightmare in summer.

We drove on, past the Afon Penrhos, which looks as if it would make a good ringing site, past the old fortress 'town' of Llanbedrog and on to Abersoch. We didn't fancy the expensive beach car parks there, so drove on to the other side of the bay and parked at Machroes. The beach was virtually empty at this end and the dogs got to wet their toes.

Private slipway at Morfa Gors, Machroes
(looking east)

Having stretched our legs, we drove back to Criccieth. We were looking for some Welsh silver and came across an antiques shop, run by two friendly sisters, on the main street up above the station. Didn't get what we were looking for but did make a purchase each. Would recommend the business any time. Very helpful.

Next stop - Tecos in Portmadog. Needed to buy a few bits and pieces for the body's processing plant, naturally. They also have a handy cash machine. As mentioned in yesterday's blog, we went and visited the RSPB's Glaslyn Osprey watch point where we looked at the live video stream and chatted to the staff.

From here it was but a short drive to Tan-y-Bwlch station to meet the afternoon down train and get some pictures. It's an interesting place with many buildings. A private cottage even fronts the loop line. The cafe was a bit of a let down.

0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Fairlie "Merddin Emrys"

Tan-y-Bwlch station, looking west
The building on the right is the new signal box that automatically controls the line

The line here is virtually on top of a cliff or hanger. A beautiful National Nature Reserve runs down away from the line to the B-road and a lake called Llyn Mair (Coed means wood). Pied Flycatcher country, no less! Beyond the lake there is a study centre called Plas Tan-y-Bwlch (obviously). Much of the local area is private forestry, except for the area designated as an NNR, and, despite the steep climbs, is very popular with walkers. 

CSW dual language info board for the NNR Coed Llyn Mair

The next day was our last day in North Wales. We had arranged long ago to visit one of Jen's old work colleagues from High Wycombe. She, Irmie, had arrived back from Germany the night before. However, the dogs needed a beach run, so we went to Treath Lligwy. Another beautiful beach with hardly any souls around. Those that were, the dogs shot off to investigate. It was so quiet you could easily hear the Sandwich Terns passing offshore. Merveilleuse.

At Lligwy Bay

Having taken the fresh air, we returned to Moelfre. Irmie had sent us a map with a pin-hole in it, denoting her bungalow. We ate cake and drank coffee, chatted, viewed the garden and bird feeders (as you do) before taking our leave with a present. This was ironical as Jen had left the freesias she had bought for Irmie back at the caravan in the loo!

Irmie & Jenny

Lunch was had at the busy pub, the Kinmel Arms, sitting outside in the lovely sunshine, plus an ice cream from the shack over the road. Good value at just £2.00, the ice cream that is. I took a stroll out to the lifeboat station along the cliff path. The building is up for modernisation and re-construction later this year, another project led by my good friend Howard, the RNLI 's chief engineer.

Moelfre Lifeboat station (2013)

On our way back, we filled up with diesel at Morrisons in Cearnafon before proceeding along the A4086  to Llanberis. We didn't have time for a trip on either of the railways and there was a decent queue for the Snowdon tram anyway. My last climbing experience was in the Llanberis Pass, which is where my vertigo started. Such a bugger!

The bottom of the climb over the Pass.

And so it was "Home, James" via the A 498, meeting some fast and furious bikers on the way. From Beddgelert, it was  the A4085 to Garreg and over the top on the B4410 again, more twits, this time on push bikes, and so to Gellilydan.

Day 9: We were on the road before 09.45 and arrived home safely before 15.30 after the 230+ mile journey. After unhitching and a bit of unloading of things we would need immediately, I took off to pick up the kittens and pay the bill for their stay. Finished (sigh). Wallet empty!

May 2013 Holiday - Day 6

We'd been on the Talyllyn,  the first narrow gauge railway in Britain authorized by an Act of Parliament to carry passengers using steam. We'd been on the Ffestiniog, the first steam powered narrow guage railway in Britain. Now Jen was treating me (us) to a trip on the Welsh Highland, the newest and longest narrow gauge railway (in Wales).

The train was due to leave Porthmadog at 10.50, arriving in Caernafon at 13.15. Tickets were discounted to £24.50 plus £3.00 for a dog [Full adult return fare was £34.00 and another £20.00 if you wished to travel in the 'First Class' coach]. We were early enough to see the 10.15 Ffestiniog train depart.

The Double Fairlie drawn train ready to depart Porthmadog

Our coaches were shunted out and back into the single platform by a dinky diesel. This would also draw our train down The Cob, and un-hook by the new WH boarding platform that is under construction. The Garratt locomotive, meanwhile, had come from the Boston Lodge sheds at the other end of The Cob and run around so that it could draw our coaches back out through the town.

Shunting engine, Criccieth Castle

Our Garratt steaming into position

Leaving the town, the line stays on 'the flat' through the Afon Glaslyn valley, first one side and then crossing over to the other at Pont Croesor. The line rises to pass over the A4085 just before Nantmor (request stop), and keeps rising, passing through several tunnels. It clings to the side of the Aberglaslyn Pass, before crossing the river again and then under the road before reaching Beddgelert station, where we were due to pass the 10.00 train from Caernafon.

Our train is a tourist draw - Aberglaslyn Pass

Pulling hard

... and into Beddgelert.

The line passes through forestry and moorland to reach the summit at Rhyd Ddu (650 ft aod), where there is another passing platform, before a less steep descent to Waunfawr (400 ft asl). We arrived here with 15 minutes to spare and had to wait for the signal. It was a bit parky by now as the sun had gone in. The line has all the latest electronic signalling, although the signals themselves conform to the old, round, long established, Welsh, narrow gauge set up with eight "lights", giving four (paired) positions.

Hanging about at Waunfawr

The next station was Dinas, where there was a beer festival weekend about to start. We took coal on board here, loaded by a JCB.
We reached Caernafon in good time, alighted and went towards the castle across the road. Not knowing the place, we searched around for somewhere to eat, the proviso being that the proprietors must have a water bowl for dogs outside. Hooray, we found one down a back street. A Dutch pancake and ice cream parlour. 

Caernafon Castle

The train was due to depart at 14.30 and we arrived in time to talk to the engine crew. Our engine, NG143, was the last Garrett 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 to be built by the Beyer- Peacock company in Manchester and it served South African Railways for most of its previous life. The WHR also has the first Garrett to be built, called K1, in a shed at Dinas awaiting restoration.

Time for a chat about the engine

On our return journey, the weather was a little more "Welsh", but it didn't rain. I had a chance to have a good look at the 'back side' of Snowdon, the non- touristy bit and more for serious walkers. You could just make out the new summit cafe and a diesel engine with its single carriage starting the descent to Llanberis.

Snowdon (1085m) - with its hat off for a moment.

Until fairly recently the line stopped south of the Aberglaslyn tunnels and the remains of the yard can be seen beside the current track. It was also the base for extending the line into the Harbour Station, Porthmadog.

The "old" southern temporary terminus

A new bridge had to be constructed over the river to carry both the road and the railway. This is where you will now find the RSPB Osprey watch-point, adjacent to Pont Creosor station. Parking is available.

The RSPB "collection of huts" (and video cameras)

We visited the following day, having already spotted the nest tree and watchers' caravan en route. The first chick had hatched on the Monday and the second on the Wednesday. Mother and babies doing fine. This has been a traditional site for a decade or so.
At last we came into town, with a short stop between the supermarket and the river. With much sounding of bells and whistles, we proceeded down the road, across onto The Cob and then reversed into the platform. We finished the day with fish and chips from 
Penrhynddeudraeth, where Jen was addressed in Welsh. Taken aback, or what.

Postscript. It's a small world.
Jen was sat on a bench at Porthmadog station. The couple next to her were taking about Cambridge. To cut a long story short, I mentioned a road and a house in his home village of Waterbeach and it turned out he was a Tory district councillor  and friends with two of mine, both of whom are LibDem councillors. Can't go anywhere these days without the past catching up on you!

May 2013 Holiday - Day 5

Time to take the dogs for a decent walk again. Sort ourselves out, jump in the car and head south towards Harlech via the back road. Good move.

After a drive up into the town and back down the other side, we parked by the The Royal St. David's Golf Club. There is a standard price for parking round here, with a max. of £3.50 "tourist tax"

for 4 hours or more. I personally think there should be a standard parking fee all over the country, then people would know what was what, instead of every district council charging differently per unit of time.

Harlech - golf links & castle

We walked through the dunes to the beach on a proper path and board-walk. 

Warning notice - old wartime debris, etc. still present

Much of the Morfa Harlech dunes are fenced off and dogs are only allowed on part of the beach, albeit a long and wide stretch at the southern end. Our two really enjoyed themselves while we watched the waders and beach-combed.

Small waders (Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover)

Large Waders (Curlew)

The smaller birds were fairly confiding and obviously making the most of low tide and the freshly exposed sand and seaweed. The Curlew, on the other hand, kept making for the forays to the old seaweed on the strand line as well as probing the freshly exposed beach.

Large Jelly-fish (Portugese Man-of-war?)

Shells (Crab, Urchin, Razor, Hydrobia & 

If you looked carefully at the sands, you could see that they were full of inter-tidal life ... and death. A truly magnificent beach and hardly a sole on it today.

Back to the car and heading further south to Barmouth, new to both of us. The town is known for its railway bridge across the Mawddach estuary, which has a pedestrian walkway alongside it. Normally there is a toll in operation but today we were spared paying £1 each. I believe they charge for dogs, too! (might be wrong there).

Mawddach estuary & Barmouth railway bridge
(looking inland to Cader Idris, from the town quayside)

After strolling through the market, the main street and onto the railway bridge, we insisted on having a stupendous ice-cream each (   for me). On the way back to the car, I came across some of friend Howard's handiwork - the new RNLI station that replaced the IRB one some nine (?) years ago.

Barmouth Lifeboat Station

We drove home via the A496 so as to get a view of Cader Idris from the Llyn-y-Gadair side, the most popular way to reach the summit via the Pony Path.

Cader Idris from the north

It having been a"low spending day" we ate out at the Brondanw pub in Garreg once more.

Tomorrow, Jenny's paying for the return trip to Caernafon on the train.