Wales- Castles, Coast & Steam Trains with Jon & Isobel

Wales- Castles, Coast & Steam Trains

 

 We were all ready for our first steam train journey and after buying our tickets we boarded the train and set off towards Aberystwyth. Our journey re-created the Edwardian spirit of adventure as it follows the twists and turns of the stunning Rheidol Valley travelling through ancient woodlands in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. 

We spent the morning at Hay on Wye exploring the wonderful castle. It  was undergoing renovation so we were unable to go inside, but it was incredible to walk around the grounds looking at the old ruins. 

We reenacted what it would feel like to be Royalty as we took our seats at the banqueting table in the medieval remains of the Great Hall of Brecon Castle.

We enjoyed browsing around Hay, where we found a homemade fudge shop. We of course managed to sample some of the tasty fudge! 

Before breakfast one morning the farmer came and invited us to join him in feeding the animals. The greedy goats soon finished their food and cheekily pinched the buckets from some of us! We fed the chickens and then visited Jinny, the pig.

 We headed to the Royal Welsh Show who were celebrating its 100th event. Our first stop was at the range of beautiful cars on display and the huge farm machinery. 

 

Next we managed to see the fabulous horse sculpture on display made out of horse shoes, some of which were donated by Her Majesty The Queen. 

 Rachel's ambition was to get up close to her favourite animal, the Highland Cattle, so we arranged for her to do just that!  She went into the pen with a mum and her calf; it was a sheer delight watching her fulfil her ambition. The farmer also gave Rachel some information about this breed and in her own words " it was a dream come true". 

                       

The Motorbike Stunt display team entertained us with their fantastic, heart stopping stunts. What a wonderful, thrilling display.  We then watched the Welsh Cobb Stallions in the show arena and these graceful horses put on a superb performance. 

 

The Mountain Railway is one of the most popular railways in Wales. We had our lunch whilst waiting for our train which was a vintage steam locomotive. Our journey started at Pant station, through Pontsticill station and alongside the Taf Fechan Reservoir to Dolygaer before climbing to Torpantau, high in the Brecon Beacons. The views were absolutely stunning and to add to the fabulous experience the sound of the steam train and the driver blowing his whistle at each stop made the journey even more memorable.

 

At Tretower Court we played games on the lawn: croquet, skittles, noughts and crosses and throwing the horseshoe. We took a stroll around the walkway and gallery to admire the court from above, we also walked around the medieval garden full of authentic herbs and flowers. 

The staff at Tretower Court set us a challenge to find out the names of various staff that would have worked here. Challenge accepted and we worked together to complete it. We all received a certificate to take home.