RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 6, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 6, 2016 Morning folks With seasonal decorations down its time to start planning the year ahead One thing to do this year with SWMBO is the circular journey round Snowdonia Porthmadoc - Blaneau - Llandudno - Caernarvon - Porthmadoc on the Welsh Highland, Ffestiniog and Big Railway Has anyone who has done it got any recommendations on the best starting place and places to stay for the weekend please? Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 We did it comfortably in a day a couple of years ago from Llandudno, booked into the observation car ends (many weeks in advance) for the full experience. the Welsh Highland starts and finishes more or less at sea level so doesn't much mater which way around, but the climb on the FR is from Portmadoc to Ffestiniog so that would suggest an anti-clockwise route is preferable. see http://www.penmorfa.com/Cambrian/ for a guide to the other round trip to consider. Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 When Old Gringo had a jolly out with friends for his birthday he included a leg of the trip on Balmoral from Caernarfon to Llandudno - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/28773-once-upon-a-time-in-the-west/page-28&do=findComment&comment=2016149which I would think would be nice if that could be engineered in (or Waverley if that's around). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hughes Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Where to stay? For certain the Old Bull at Biwmares / Beaumaris on Môn / Anglesey - a little off your beaten track, true, but the rooms are very comfortable, the staff are excellent and the food is smashing. Don't tell your good lady, but the town's old ducking stool is still extant and currently used as a seat in the main bar. Oh, and the place is haunted. Oh yes, it is! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 We are planning on doing this starting at Caernarfon on the WHR. IIRC the timetable for the Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog leg gives the connecting times for the ATW leg up to Llandudno Junction. Trains from there to Bangor. The only part of the journey that is off rail is the bus ride from Bangor to Caernarfon. Do check your timetables before setting off; the service from Caernarfon to Porthmadog is often only two trains per day that is why we intend to set off from Caernarfon. We know people who have done it and recommend it. Don't know about accommodation though. Edit. spelling corrections. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 7, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 7, 2016 Many thanks for all the useful gen folks We are planning for April - hopefully Conway Valley line might be back by then! If not then think again.... Waverley would be great Andy - its a good few years since I visited the engine room on a Greenock - Kyle of Bute cruise... Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 14, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2016 Timetables are published now Best journey looks like a Porthmadoc start See http://www.festrail.co.uk/toptrips_porthmadog.htmIt looks the best way round without having to spend 2 hours in Blaenau Ffestiniog....same problem if we start from Caernarfon Ffestiniog - depart Porthmadog 10.05 Blaenau arrive 11.20 British Rail - depart Blaenau 11.35 Bangor arrive 13.11 Taxi to Caernarfon - there's no bus to get us there in time! Welsh Highland Railway - Depart Caernarfon 14.15 Porthmadog arrive 16.35 Fare including taxi will be about £65 each There are some perverse factors such as the arrival of the 10.05 train from Bangor in to Blaenau at 11.36 - 1 minute after the Ffestiniog train departs at 11.35! Will take Dutch Master's advice and speak to John Wooden before commtting Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Sounds interesting Phil. Bear in mind that in April on the WHR there are no trains on Fridays and some Mondays. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 15, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 15, 2016 Thanks Geoff. Saturday 16th April is current target date Portmerion also possibly on the agenda - but not taking any prisoners! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Phil. Send me a PM if you want some local knowledge/ advice etc. Christian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 17, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 17, 2016 Many thanks PM sent! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted April 14, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2016 SO the trip is this weekend ,,, off we go to Portmadoc tomorrow, trains on Saturday Have taken Dutch Masters advice and talked to Ffestiniog Travel - all arranged through them Wont be on here much over the weekend but back on Tuesday... Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatofludham Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 The weekend of 15th-17th April is the weekend of the Six of One "Prisoner" fanclub convention at Portmeirion (well, according to the Cambrian Chipwrap which we read out on the Dolgellau Talking Newspaper this afternoon!) so I suppose it depends on how much of a fan you are of The Prisoner as to whether Portmeirion is worth a visit this weekend. If you like real ales you might want to pop into the Purple Moose brewery shop in Porthmadog although their sow's ears are available on the train if I recall. Whatever, mwnhewch eich penwythnos as they say in these parts. Mark. PS 15 minutes in Blaenau is about enough. To think I actually looked at houses in the town when I moved to Wales. It must have been my medication. You have to be on drugs to want to live there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Have a good trip Phil. Hope the snow stays away for the weekend Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted April 15, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2016 Thanks for the help and advice folks The Prisoner weekend - that's why all the B&Bs are full, ended up in Travelodge And its not true re Welsh weather - spent yesterday on the River Usk at Talybont on Usk, it was the most wonderful spring day whilst it chucked it down in Gloucestershire Hee hee So hoping to take some of that with us today Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 How did the trip go Phil? Any chance of some pics? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted April 20, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2016 Certainly! But Mr Stupid left the camera behind so we just ended up with mobile phone shots It was a glorious weekend - and all the arrangements went exactly to plan Journey up on Friday was dismal and SWMBO was shocked when we arrived at the Travelodge - rubbish tip immediately behind. Supper at Jenny's café in the high street - but we woke on Saturday to bright sunshine with snow on the tops and back to Jennys for a fry up. Earl of Merioneth was waiting to take us up to Blaenau Hadn't realised there was a special on... ours was the first timetabled train off Porthmadoc at 10.05 but a special had left at 07.00! The Snowdonian was running Porthmadoc - Blaenau - Porthmadoc - Caernarfon - Porthmadoc and we first passed it at Tan-y-Bwlch on the way to Blaenau A triple header...Palmerston, Prince and David Lloyd George. And much celebration... First run of the new observation car Was chilly at Blaenau but not long to wait for our 150 unit to take us down to Llandudno Junction, then on to a 170 for the ride to Bangor. Out of the station and on to a T2 bus to Caernarfon, where a very friendly local guided us to the WHR station where one of the Garrets was waiting for us to take us back to Portmadoc The scenery was stunning as expected - but it was interesting to hear the reactions of others on the train, including a South African Couple who were amazed at what they were seeing At Rhyd Dhu we met the Snowdonian again en route to Caernarfon with further motive power added That's Darjeeling Himalaya 19b leading We got back to Portmadoc at 4.30, out to supper at the Union Inn - it was a riot, there was a beer trail on with bus loads arriving every half hour. Beer and food was great as was the local company Sunday was Portmerion - again a wonderful day, weather was superb, we had lunch at the Castell Deudraeth brasserie, lovely food and well worth the cost given that saved £22 entrance to the village. There was a Prisoner fan club day on so re-enactments etc but that added to the day. Gardens were superb with hellebores everywhere What more can I add? it was a bit of a gamble selecting an April weekend but it paid off in spades with superb weather and clear views given the trees were not yet in leaf. Heartily recommended - and thanks to those on here for advice, Ffestiniog travel certainly came up with the goods Theres a youtube video of The Snowdonian here and some Prisoner stuff - many thanks to those posting these Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Glad you had a good time Phil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted April 24, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 24, 2016 Cheers Branchie and Mike Wales at its best for sure Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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