Welsh Mega Steam – day five

Bridges and Tea with the Corris

Day five was probably the most relaxed day so far. We started with an excellent breakfast before boarding the coach to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a five-minute drive away.

I have been on this line before, but this time it was a glorious sunny day, in stark contrast to the last time when it poured all day.

The route goes from Aberystwyth, along the Rheidol valley, before climbing steeply to Devil’s Bridge. This is the location of the Three Bridges, each one built on top of the other over the centuries. Underneath the bridges is a deep gorge where torrents of water rush through.

I ventured down as far as you could go to get shots of the bridges and gorge before making the short walk back to the station for a well-earned drink and snack.

After an hour at the top, it was time to board the train for the hour-long journey back to Aberystwyth. As on the upward journey, I upgraded to the observation car for a fee of two pounds. For this, I got to seat immediately behind the engine as it powered its way down the valley.

When we reached the end of the line, we took the coach to the delightful Corris Railway. Only a mile long, this line, on a former slate route, was run by the nicest people we have met on our tour so far. We were given a guided tour of the site, engine shed and carriage shed, before they organised several drive bys so that the photographers could get the shots they wanted.

After returning to the start of the line, we were treated to drinks, cakes and biscuits as we enjoyed looking around the shop and museum.

This is only a small enterprise, but they certainly knew how to look after their customers. Excellent!

We all then boarded our coach which took us back to the University. After a freshen up, we again went to the restaurant at the top of Constitution Hill where we enjoyed the best meal so far this week. We were also treated to a glorious sunset which lit up the sky with various shades of pink and purple.

We were back in our rooms by 21:30 giving me plenty of time to update this blog before getting an early night ahead of our transfer to Wrexham for the last two nights of the tour.

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Related articles

• Ceredigion: myths, magic and mystery in Wales’s Hinterland (theguardian.com)
• Field Trip to Aberystwyth in Wales (occhokochoii.wordpress.com)