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Wednesday 17 June 2009

Another jaunt........




Our latest jaunt was another train trip, this time to Aberystwyth in Wales, with our good friends K & T – we like trains can you tell?


K & T


We picked the train up at our local station at 7.45 a.m. on Saturday morning and the weather looked promising. We took a bag full of food with us for our lunch and tea on the train, consisting of chicken, ham, pasta salad, green salad, ciabatta and wine of course. We were in First Class carriages so were very comfortable and had a huge picture window which enabled us to take in the beautiful countryside and the ever improving weather on the journey. We didn’t stop talking all the way to Wales – about what we would do when we got there, what trips were coming up that we have booked and could book.

The trip was organised by the Class 40 Preservation Society, who preserve Diesel Engines, we prefer Steam Engines but beggars can’t be choosers and it was a nice red and yellow engine.





We arrived in Aberystwyth spot on time at 12.40 p.m.and were able to leave our packed tea on the train whilst we went walkabout. We headed out of the station straight down to the sea front. The weather was glorious, sunny and hot, and we really didn’t need the light jackets we’d taken with us.


The first thing we saw as the train pulled in to Aberystwyth Station was the Vale of Rheidol narrow guage railway. The Preservation Society were offering trips on it but we declined as we wouldn't have had time to go on that and walk down to the sea. We did get a photo of it though.




We really wanted to go for a paddle in the sea but the only things we hadn’t brought with us was a towel and the kitchen sink!








However, we did breathe in plenty of the wonderful sea air and took a long, leisurely walk along the prom past the university (or a small part of it).


Part of Aberystwyth University


Isn’t it wonderful to have a university right on the sea front? K’s nephew is a student at the university and we were hoping to meet up with him but unfortunately he was a home in the town we’d just departed from and wasn’t due back in Aberystwyth until we were due to leave – sod’s law! Anyway we rounded the headland intending to walk to the harbour but it was a lot further that we had originally thought so we didn’t bother.


After a leisurely stroll through the town we stopped at a pub and went in for a drink and a rest – the early start and the sea air had practically knocked us out! The pub was empty, except for us, then suddenly it was invaded by a ‘hen’ party – all dressed in pink tutus and leg warmers!


Things suddenly got very noisy and we were missing the sunshine so we decided to go to another pub across the way where we could sit outside, which we did, enjoying the beautiful weather until it was time to get back on the train. We were only actually in Aberystwyth three hours but we made the most of it and thoroughly enjoyed it.



Our journey back was very relaxed, we ate our packed tea and had some more wine etc and even managed a little snooze. The Preservation Society arranged a raffle on the journey home with 12 really good prizes but unfortunately we didn’t win any.

We arrived at our home station at 9.15 p.m. in plenty of time to walk to our local pub and finish the day off with a couple of drinks before we went home to a much needed bed. We were exhausted but we’d had a fantastic day and are now looking forward to our next train trip, which I think is in August but I’ll tell you more about that when we’ve been.



Us making our way to the pub from the station.

33 comments:

Dumdad said...

Great report of a great day.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic story with great pictures...it's so awesome seeing you :) Loved the slide show :)

Flowerpot said...

Sounds a brilliant day Ak - what fun!

Thumbelina said...

What a brilliant way to spend a day. Looks like you had a great time.

Nessa said...

Beautiful trip. One of the things I miss most about Europe is the train trips.

Anonymous said...

That looks like so much fun - I like riding on trains.

Finding Pam said...

What a lovely day you had on the train. I can't wait to see where you go in August.

Have a great day.

Susan at Stony River said...

Trains and the seashore; could a day have been any better?? I love it! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos too.

Daryl said...

What a civilized way to travel and have short day trip get-aways!!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh what fun! i love to read about your trips! and i also love your hair, very pretty!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Ron said...

I love when you share your jaunts with us...

...it's like taking the jaunt with you!

The side show was awesome! MWM and you make such a good-looking couple!

woo! woo!

I also read your book reviews on your sidebar. How Faaabulous!!

X

Akelamalu said...

Glad you enjoyed it Dumdad :)

You've only just seen me Thom? There are photos of me in my sidebar. I'm so glad you enjoyed our trip. x

It was fun Flowerpot :)

It was a great trip Thumbelina

We love a day out on a train Nessa :)

We're lucky to have the East Lancs Railway so close and they're always organising trips Citizen, you'd love it.

Well we have a four day holiday in July then a weekend away in August on the train Pam so two travelogues for you to look forward to. :)

The day couldn't have been any better Susan especially the weather! :)


Yes it is very civilised and everyone can relax because no-one has to drive Daryl :)

Aw thanks Bee on both counts. xx

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the jaunt and the slide show Ron. Thankyou for the compliment too. I'm pleased with the book reviews too because my Dad was so pleased. :)

Smalltown RN said...

OH that sounds and looks like so much fun.....my brother and his wife lived in Wales all of last year returning home last August.....I love trains as well and what a lovely way to spend the day!

Real Live Lesbian said...

Love the pictures...you two are so cute!

CG said...

Sounds lovely and what a GORGEOUS photo of you and your WM!!

MarmiteToasty said...

Sounds like a super day....... love the photos, the first one of you both is just beautiful..

x

A Lady's Life said...

you most certainly had a wonderful day Love train rides and the picnic you made for it.
The pics were great as well.
:)

G-Man said...

I LOVE travelling by rail...
I just love the English countryside, it looks so...English!

buffalodick said...

America ripped up a lot of train tracks, and made them nature trails... Not too bright with the world running out of oil someday..
Looks like a neat way to spend a day.. over here we call them "road trips"!

Dr.John said...

You are so lucky to be able to take a train ride to such an interesting place. There isn't even a train near us yet alone a town with a castle.
Thanks for sharing.

Cloudia said...

Such a lucky couple to have such rail adventures at your fingertips. i'm green with envy. Is that a tradtional Welsh hen party with tutu & leg warmers?
Aloha from train-less Hawaii

Around My Kitchen Table said...

Looks like a brilliant day out. You look like two very lovely couples!

Unknown said...

Thank your for you words and photos. It was if I were along with you. Your trip included all of us here in blogland.

Dave

Cheffie-Mom said...

What a fun adventure! Thanks for taking us along! Great photos!

Akelamalu said...

Oh you would love these train trips we go on RN. If you ever get over here you must come to visit and we'll take you on one. It will have to be in our summer though because they don't run in winter. :)

Aw thanks RLLxxx

Thankyou CG how kind. x

Yes it was a great day Marmie and thanks honey. xx

Train rides are so much fun Lady's Life :)

LOL that countryside was Welsh not English G-man!

The East Lancs Railway from where these train trips originate was all closed down Buff, then a bunch of volunteers got it all working agian. It is run almost totally by volunteers.

What a shame you don't have a train near you Dr.John :(

A traditional Welsh hen party Cloudia? Heavens no, just a bunch of girls dressed up having a good time. :)

Why thankyou Around My Kitchen Table x

I'm so happy you enjoyed our trip Dave xx

Glad you enjoyed it Cheffie-Mom :)

cheshire wife said...

Sounds like you had a really enjoyable day!

Shrinky said...

Looks like you had the perfect end to a perfect day. You look so happy and relaxed, the smile says it all!

Maude Lynn said...

I would love to take a train trip!

Akelamalu said...

We did Cheshire Wife :)

We were relaxed as newts Shrinky! ;)

Is it not possible where you live Mama Zen?

Travis Cody said...

We want to take a train trip. We have access to Amtrak and can take it pretty far east. I gotta plan that trip pretty soon.

Travis Cody said...

We want to take a train trip. We have access to Amtrak and can take it pretty far east. I gotta plan that trip pretty soon.

Mimi Lenox said...

That is a BEAUTIFUL shot of the two of you in the first picture on the train. You sexy thing you!! How sweet and happy you both look.
I loved the photos and the leisurely jaunt you took us on. It was almost like being there.
(Better look in your suitcase. I might really be there...lol)

Akelamalu said...

Do it Trav! :)

Thanks Mimi I like that photo too, there's not many of me I do like! I'm so pleased you enjoyed our jaunt. x