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.

Holiday in Wales - Part Three

Monday of our holiday in Wales saw us visiting Devil's Bridge.  We first heard of this place on the Welsh TV Drama Y Gwyll/Hinterland so it was great to be able to visit the area.  

Pretty flowers round the sign at the railway station.

Marking the bridge.

Devil's Bridge Hotel, or rather Hafod Hotel 

Not at all as creepy as it is portrayed in the series!

There is a charming nature walk to do which features waterfalls.  There are a lot of steps and it is quite steep in places but pretty easy going otherwise.  

The bridge - or rather the three of them.

The view over the valley, looking across the chasm.

One of the delightful waterfalls of which there are two, Mynach Falls and Gyfarllwyd Falls

The water was flowing pretty fast down the falls considering it was mid summer and it had been relatively dry.

It was so pretty.

With little pools at intervals.

The Sailor and Percy

They were taking a well earned rest after descending 'Jacob's Ladder, some 300 feet into the gorge.

The river

Winding its way through the valley

The iron foot bridge that crosses the gorge.

The Sailor crossing the iron bridge with Percy.

The river flows underneath

My husband taking some photographs

and then climbing up the steps.

Standing in what is left of the Robber's Cave

The 'Boys'

Looking back down into the gorge and valley - you can just see the Gazebo which gives a view of the Mynach falls.

The next half of our day we journeyed by steam train to Aberystwyth.