May 2015 – North Wales

We spent 4 days based in Bala North Wales last week.  We travelled with our neighbours Glenda and Keith and enjoyed good weather and some great train journeys as well as visits to Chirk and Powis Castles.  Our first visit was to Chirk and its beautiful gardens.

We then moved on to Llangollen where we travelled on the Heritage Railway to Corwen and back by diesel multiple unit. The views of the Dee Valley were outstanding and the train uncrowded and very relaxing!

We then arrived at our hotel – The White Lion Royal Hotel in Bala. This was where Annie and Gerry had spent a few days last September. The hotel is really quite quaint but deserves the refurbishment that has just started!

The next day the weather was good as we drove to Machynlleth to catch the Cambrian coast train to Porthmadog and back.

We had a short time in Porthmadog and visited the terminus of both the FFestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

Our last full day was spent visiting Snowdon and ascending to the summit on the train.The weather was brilliant and the views absolutely fantastic.

We meandered back to Bala via Caernarvon and Beddgelert where two of the sheep near Gellert’s tomb seemed to pose for us.

Our journey back to Fairford was via Powis Castle. It was our first visit to the castle and we were all impressed by the beauty of the house and the gardens.

It was a shame that the weather had broken and the rain was quite heavy such that we could not fully explore the gardens. Another visit will be required!

It was a relaxing and enjoyable few days.