Wednesday 3 September 2014

Holiday in Wales - Part Four

Following on from my post where we spent the morning at Devil's Bridge we then boarded the train for Aberystwyth.


The engine that pulled the train we travelled on.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway opened in 1902 and was used to carry lead ore, timber and passenger traffic.  The track is narrow gauge and allows the railway to follow the contours of the land and has many sharp curves an steep gradients.





Loading the coal




This is a wonderful way to see the stunning scenery of the Rheidol Valley.  On the way to Aberystwyth we weren't near the window so didn't get to take many photos, taking most of them on the way back so they are a bit further own on this post. 


It was an overcast day, but we still have a lovely time.  It is amazing to think that Aberystwyth was hit so badly by floods only late last year, as the town must have worked incredibly hard to get it all cleaned up and repaired as it really wasn't at all obvious.  


We had a little wander round and headed for the coast and the castle.


This was certainly a grand building and is Old College Aberystwyth University


What a place to go to University - right on the sea front!  Good fresh sea air to clear the brain




The pier.






We enjoyed walking round the ruins of Aberystwyth Castle and the sun even came out. 




Caught you!  


All too soon it seemed we had to make our way back to the train station.


We were pulled by a different steam engine on the way back to Devil's Bridge.


Some of the spectacular views of the valley on the way back.



It was so picturesque








Such a pretty valley.



Just look at that waterfall.


Back at Devil's Bridge the engine is uncoupled from the train and I take the opportunity to get a couple of shots of it.





6 comments:

  1. That wasn't Wales! It wasn't raining lol! Pretty countryside in that part of the world.

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  2. That countryside is simply stunning.
    xx

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  3. Oh My Heavens - I LoVe Trains and those Locomotives are Awesome!!! ~ LuV, TiGGy

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  4. Wonderful photos of Aber, I plan on a weekend up there soon. I have skirted round it so many times on my way to Cardigan from Lincolnshire and never stopped, it is on my "to do " list for this year. Your photos are stunning, what camera do you use, I am planning on getting a better one and having some tuition, there is a little camera shop in Carmarthen,that does this, I have had my little point and shoot for years. The scenery here is amazing, a different vista round every corner.

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    1. Thank you for visiting me Pam. Yes you must stop there. It was a little bit 'touristy and busy' for us...we usually like to get well away, but it was still lovely to visit.

      My camera is a Canon EOS 550D with a Sigma 18 - 250mm lens.... funny thing is, I have been disappointed with my photos recently! Not sure if I have altered the settings somehow, or if it is the memory card, the lens, or simply the operator! But my standard lens I used to use no longer focusses and I am not sure where to get it fixed.

      Good luck with your camera shopping and course - sounds like a good idea.

      Yes the scenery in Wales is simply gorgeous and for a country girl at heart who has been displaced into the suburbs it is just perfect!

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  5. It's many many years since I was in Aberystwyth. It's good to see your reminder.

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