30th August photo - Tal Y Llyn steam train

Today we had some strenuous mountain walks planned, but the bank holiday weather beat us. As we neared our destination we could not even see the base of the mountain as the clouds were so low and the rain was pouring down - so not ideal mountain walking weather - so we had to turn to plan B - the Tal Y Llyn steam railway.

This actually turned out to be a fun day out as I love steam trains. This railway has been in existence since 1865 and is maintained by a large band of volunteers. The line runs from Abergonollwen to Towyn and back again. We spent time exploring Towyn - but did not find it a place that we will hurry back to.

We chose the third class carriages - i.e. no windows thinking we would be able to enjoy the views more - which was fine going out - but coming back we realised that windows are quite useful in protecting passengers from the elements!

Travelling 3rd class style!
A traffic jam on the line - we had to wait a while for this other steam train to pass us by.

This photo is my POTD as I love to see the steam rushing back over over the carriages. The smell is so nostalgic to me as my Grandad used to be a steam train driver and lived close to the line and as children we would go and stand on the bridge and enjoy the trains rushing by underneath us and engulfing us in the steam.

If we had paid £2 more we could have travelled in first class style!!

29th August photo - A wheel on the top of a mountain!

Today's photo is this old abandoned wheel we found on the top of a mountain near to Dinas Mawddwy in Wales. We were led here following a geocache, which took us through another Slate mine - disused again - but still very interesting.

We think the wheel must have been part of some winching mechanism on top of the mountain for use at the slate mine lower down. Anyway it was a very random structure to find on the top of such a desolate hill top!
It was a long steep climb to the top but the views were outstanding at the top, which made the long hike so worthwhile.

The area around the slate mine was fascinating - we were very adventurous and had fun exploring. There were great big chasms where the slate had been blasted away - with waterfalls and caves - we just admired the caves but did not go in them - we were not that brave!

The slate that was still in situ was very different to the piles of grey slate you see lying about once mined - it has facets of many different colours running through it.

31st August - blackberry picking

Today Steven & I went blackberry picking along the coastal path between Aberystwyth & Clarach Bay and got a bowl full of lush fruit. Today's photo is of the blackberries before we picked them and I hope that tomorrow's photo will be the pie I am going to make with them!

Steven happily finding the fruit - he had to do most of the work as I had just been stung by a wasp - so was not a very happy bunny!

28th August photo - The Welsh Flag

We seem to be spending so much time in Wales at the moment that I thought a Welsh flag might be fitting as a photo of the day.

This flag is flying proudly outside the University of Aberystwyth.

27th August 2009 - Liam off to Reading.

Not content with Glastonbury & the Workhouse music festivals already this year - this morning Liam has just gone off to the Reading one! He will not be back until Monday so he will have 4 days of music to enjoy.

The photos are awful quality - sorry - but I only had one chance, as all his friends were in the car waiting to be taken to the coach, so he was being very good natured and allowing me to actually take these!!

26th August photo - Darwin Graffiti

Today's photo features some amazing new graffiti which has appeared in town over the summer. A talented graffiti artist from Manchester, was engaged by the local art centre to help the local teenagers produce constructive street artwork over the summer holidays and this is what they produced.

I think it is fabulous and is a great modern way of depicting Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury's most famous son. I think the teenagers have done a great job of covering up some old boards which are hiding an unsightly car park whilst waiting for a new hotel to be built on the spot. Whilst the area is a bit of an eyesore now, I shall be sad to see this street art disappear.

Just a couple of close ups.

25th August photo - farewell my humble friend!

Yes as from Saturday 31st August 2009, it will become illegal to buy any of these old traditional 100 watt lightbulbs. Next year (2010) the 60 watt bulbs are to be phased out to encourage us all to switch over to the more environmentally friendly low energy compact fluorescent lights and by 2012 all wattages of the old filament type bulbs will have been phased out.

So a rather dull photo today but one which marks an important stage in our social history.

24th August photo - Tal-y-Llyn lake

Having viewed the lake from a distance on Saturday evening - I really wanted to explore it closer up - so today I had that chance. I was able to park right next to it and eat my picnic lunch before climbing up the high mountains on one side to find 2 geocaches. The lake is just as beautiful close up as it is in the distance. This first photo is my POTD.

The reward for a nice long climb up was this gorgeous view looking down on the lake.

I was not the only one out today - I was treated to flyby by this bomber (small spec on the left hand side of photo!) and also 2 jets.

lots of sheep with scarily large horns to keep me company today!!

23rd August photo - the slate mine

Today I found my self at an old slate mine ( in search of a geocache - what else!!). I had a beautiful walk through the old deserted buildings and workings of the mine.

These old buildings certainly evoke a sense of history.

Not surprisingly products made of slate were everywhere. A slate fence....

..a slate wall....

...a slate stile...

..a slate path - makes a nice change from the usual muddy paths I have to negotiate...

This is the old bell on the managers office which was used to summon the miners to work and signal the end of their very long working day - I expect they had a love / hate relationship with that bell.
There were mounds of slate everywhere.

A different view of the mine - glad I did not have to work in there.

Not sure which one to choose as my POTD - I think it may be the slate fence or wall one.

22nd August photo - Tal-y-llyn from the pass

Today I took Eleanor back to Liverpool after the birthday celebrations and then made a leisurely journey down to the caravan. My mother was with me so we stopped at various places to admire views and had a lovely fish & chip supper in Bala. By the time we got to Tal-y-Llyn pass in Snowdonia National Park to take this picture (I had had this shot in mind all day) it was getting dark - see the car head lights! Even at dusk it is a majestic sight as you drive down the pass - seeing the lake at the bottom of the hill surrounded by huge mountains on either side. It sends tingles down the back of your neck!!

I have lightened the photo to make the lake visible as this is the only photo I took all day - so I have to use it.

21st August photo - their birthday party

OH DEAR!!!

My camera & I were not welcome at the trendy kids party - but Josh stepped up to help me out - by saying he was a good photographer and would take loads for me. So Steven & I went out for a nice meal and left him to it - and this is what I got!!!

I was so disappointed that I have not got many to choose a photo of the day from. I have managed to salvage a few by some selective cropping. I think this one will be POTD.

Just a little selection from the party - the lovely lovely Emily

Fun on the bouncy castle

Eleanor (I took this one before I was banished!)

Liam & his friend Daisy - rubbish photo - but look he has taken his hoodie off!

The party girl
They all had fun trying to eat donuts from the washing line!

Eleanor & James