{"id":3036,"date":"2013-09-06T19:01:58","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T18:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alanrowley.info\/?p=3036"},"modified":"2013-09-06T19:48:48","modified_gmt":"2013-09-06T18:48:48","slug":"welsh-mega-steam-day-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanrowley.info\/?p=3036","title":{"rendered":"Welsh Mega Steam – day one"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alfreton<\/a> to Bangor via the Great Orme Tramway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This was a holiday that I was unsure about going on because it involved riding around on trains for a week, and staying in university student accommodation. The journeys between the various train rides was by coach.<\/p>\n

Despite my doubts, day one wasn’t too bad. The first place to visit was the Great Orme Tramway at Llandudno<\/a>, but to get there, I had to take a journey involving three trains from Alfreton to Llandudno Junction. The first part was a short trip on Northern Trains to Chesterfield, where I changed for the Cross Country service to Manchester Picadilly<\/a>. Unfortunately, this train was running fifteen minutes late due to diverting around major works at Nottingham station<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Goat<\/a>

Goat at the summit (Photo credit: Alan Rowley Photos)<\/p><\/div>\n

Fortunately, the Llandudno train started from the same platform at Manchester that my train arrived at, so all I had to do was get off the train and wait a couple of minutes for the Llandudno train.<\/p>\n

Being a Saturday, the Llandudno train soon filled with holidaymakers off for a week at the seaside. The journey was slightly uncomfortable, but a combination of Facebook, Twitter and coastal scenery helped the time pass quickly.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival at Llandudno, the tour guide greeted us and directed us to the coach which took us to the Great Orme Tramway station. I have been on this tram before so I knew what to expect and it was nice to start my holiday with a gentle trip to the top of the Great Orme, with its stunning views.<\/p>\n

\"Tram<\/a>

Tram 7 descends (Photo credit: Alan Rowley Photos)<\/p><\/div>\n

On the way up, I saw the Great Orme Kashmiri goats, whose ancestors once roamed the mountains of Northern India. I managed to get a couple of photos of them, along with a hot chocolate and cookie, before it was time to travel back down the mountain to catch the coach to Bangor University<\/a>, home for the first three days of the tour.<\/p>\n

At the base station, there was just enough time for a tray of chips from the chippie that we visited on our last holiday in Llandudno.<\/p>\n

\"Number<\/a>

Number 4 leaves base station (Photo credit: Alan Rowley Photos)<\/p><\/div>\n

After a short journey to Bangor, the coach pulled up at the student accommodation, and eventually I settled into my room before dining in the Conference Centre, the restaurant being used for a wedding reception. It was like dining in a canteen, but the food was tasty and filling.<\/p>\n

After dinner, I took the short stroll back to my room where I updated ‘the follow on’, before getting an early night ahead of day two’s journey up Snowdon.<\/p>\n

Return to the itinerary page<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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