Friday, September 15, 2006
Wednesday 13 September 2006
Going backwards so I don't forget the current stuff...
This morning I explored the slate mines of Blaenau Ffestiniog - not much chop actually. Could have been very good - plenty of unemployed miners to recuite as guides, but they used recorded commentary...mmm...
But this little village is the main station to pick up the scenic railway to Porthmadog. Absolutely beatiful trip. Wales is GORGEOUS. We trundelled over vaiducts, passed hikers on paths winding under huge groves of green leafy trees, wound around maintain sides with steep drop-offs and views forever. It is a late summer with very little gold or brown in the scenery yet. The weather has been warm and fine. Wonderful.
I picked an open carriage and had uninterupted views. But had to laugh we went through several tunnels - one that was about 1km long and there was no lighting in any carriage - and as it was a long tunnel there was not light from either end. It was PITCH black. There was no difference whether your eyes were open or closed and when we came out the other side I fully expected the other passengers to have all moved or at least something to have changed. But no, we were all sitting there as stunned as each other at how black 'black' is!
Got into Porthmadog this afternoon, took a walk along the water front and around town before walking to the next village to my hostel - the birthplace of Laurence of Arabia - so there you go Laurence Bristow - I've stayed the night in the home of your name sake - good looking man if his portrait is anything to go by!
Wales strikes me as much poorer than England. Their communities are smaller, they live in smaller, less well maintained homes. There are less 'big' homes in each village and around. Not as many stately homes either. And less well dressed people. Also, Wales seems to be well populated by the English. Most of the tourists seem to be from parts of England. Bumped into a few Aussies and Kiwis, hear the odd French and US/Canadian accent. Not a Scots or Irish one though...
Thursday 14 September 2006
This morning woke up to a filthy wet day as you have read on another posting...
Read on...
Going backwards so I don't forget the current stuff...
This morning I explored the slate mines of Blaenau Ffestiniog - not much chop actually. Could have been very good - plenty of unemployed miners to recuite as guides, but they used recorded commentary...mmm...
But this little village is the main station to pick up the scenic railway to Porthmadog. Absolutely beatiful trip. Wales is GORGEOUS. We trundelled over vaiducts, passed hikers on paths winding under huge groves of green leafy trees, wound around maintain sides with steep drop-offs and views forever. It is a late summer with very little gold or brown in the scenery yet. The weather has been warm and fine. Wonderful.
I picked an open carriage and had uninterupted views. But had to laugh we went through several tunnels - one that was about 1km long and there was no lighting in any carriage - and as it was a long tunnel there was not light from either end. It was PITCH black. There was no difference whether your eyes were open or closed and when we came out the other side I fully expected the other passengers to have all moved or at least something to have changed. But no, we were all sitting there as stunned as each other at how black 'black' is!
Got into Porthmadog this afternoon, took a walk along the water front and around town before walking to the next village to my hostel - the birthplace of Laurence of Arabia - so there you go Laurence Bristow - I've stayed the night in the home of your name sake - good looking man if his portrait is anything to go by!
Wales strikes me as much poorer than England. Their communities are smaller, they live in smaller, less well maintained homes. There are less 'big' homes in each village and around. Not as many stately homes either. And less well dressed people. Also, Wales seems to be well populated by the English. Most of the tourists seem to be from parts of England. Bumped into a few Aussies and Kiwis, hear the odd French and US/Canadian accent. Not a Scots or Irish one though...
Thursday 14 September 2006
This morning woke up to a filthy wet day as you have read on another posting...
Read on...
# posted by The Essence of Good Taste @ 8:24 AM 
