Bryn Elltyd - Our Weekend Residence
Hi there, six of us on this year's Boys Weekend Away, to North Wales, and what a weekend! Lovely warm, even hot sunshine from start to finish, the hottest place in the country on Friday! Marvellous!!!!!
On the way in on Thursday we stopped off at Betws-y-Coed to have a look round the Conway Valley Railway (71/4" gauge) and had an interesting chat with their engineers in the workshop where there were two super locos, 'Douglas' and an American 2-8-2, lovely, can we have one please? No..they said !......then on to our Bed and Breakast abode, where we were very well and truly looked after by Celia and John....('www.ecoguesthouse.co.uk'... Tel: 01766 6831356/07905 568127), fascinating place in a wonderful location on the side of the Tanygrisiau Reservoir (of Ffestiniog Deviation fame you may recall?) with the railway running around the back of the property 75 yards away, excellent!
Earl of Merioneth passes on the way up to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Ready to enter the hill climb section (just across the road
from our B & B !)
The Boys (less One!) outside Boston Lodge Works ready for action !
'Emma' The Diesel on the Welsh Highland Heritage Line
The highlight of the weekend was the full round trip on Saturday over the Welsh Highland behind Number 87, in the Observation Pullman car. An amazing journey, twisting and turning all the way through beautiful scenery which we thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The sound of that loco working up to the summit from Beddgelert, and the start from the Forest Campsite Halt at Meillionen was, as they say, awesome !!!!! Well done the crew !!!!
So time to head home on Sunday calling in at The Nottingham Club where a lovely lunch was awaiting us and then the Guys made up our very own train, Class 20 hauled, so we could each have a drive! (which of course we did !) The site was busy as they were hosting a 5" Sweet Pea weekend so there was plenty going on! Many thanks to all the members who made us very welcome, but especially to Tony,Liz,Roy and Dennis.
'Merddin Emrys' ready to depart Porthmadoc Station on the Ffestiniog Railway
Ready at Caernarfon for the return trip
Meeting Number 138 at Waunfawr.
Dennis explains the controls to Dave
All photos : Brian M
TTFN