Sunday 12th May

A day off today, well a day off cruising but it was all go!  After a nice Sunday morning lie-in we walked into Llangollen to go on the Llangollen Railway.  We had chosen the 11am train as it was a steam one.  We clambered onboard and Muffin settled down for his first steam train ride – the first of many I imagine! 

Llangollen Station from the River Dee

The Llangollen Railway was started in 1975 by a group of enthusiasts who saw the potential for a scenic heritage line through the Dee Valley. 7½ miles of track have been re-laid westwards along the track-bed of the old Ruabon to Barmouth main line, through to Carrog, where the line presently terminates.  The old main line closed to passenger traffic in 1965 and to goods in 1968. The track, signalling and much of the infrastructure was removed or demolished quickly after this, although Llangollen, Berwyn and Carrog Station buildings survived.  The line climbs steeply to reach Berwyn Station, from where the climb continues, through Berwyn Tunnel (1/3 mile) to Deeside Halt. From here the line rises gently for the next 2 miles to Glyndyfrdwy Station and village, and finally, on to Carrog on a gently rising grade.  The line is currently being extended to Corwen Town, it is hoped we will get there at the end of the 2013 season.



Muffin on the train

After our train ride we walked back to the boat and did a quick clean round as we had visitors coming.  Penny and Jim have now joined us – having left their motor home at Maesbury Marsh where we will leave them in a week’s time.  They had been staying with their friends, June and Tony, who live about two hours away and had very kindly offered to bring them to the boat from Maesbury.  June and Tony stayed with us for a late lunch and then left to go home.  Richard and Jim took the dogs for a long walk to the Horseshoe Falls while Penny and I tried to find room for all their belongings!

We had a very nice, boozy evening and an early night.