It all started when Russell watched a documentary about Great British railway journeys. “I want to do that one,” he said pointing at the TV. It was a day trip to the Snowdonia Mountains in Wales on board The Statesman. “OK,” I said, “Let’s go.”
We joined the train before dawn on a cold, dark September morning in Banbury, a historic market town just north of Oxford. We’d spent the night before at an Airbnb close to Banbury Station to mitigate the pain of the hellishly early start.
It still hurt. We’re not very good morning people.
The Statesman rolled up to the platform at exactly 6.50 am, and we clambered aboard along with the other waiting passengers.
At a rough guess, I’d say we were the youngest couple in our carriage, and we certainly missed the memo about the dress code. No one told us we were going on a cruise.
Our fellow travellers looked splendid in their double-breasted blazers, sensible shoes, pearls, and smart frocks. Even the staff were better dressed than us.
Our carriage was all red and gold, with plush velvet seating and a suitably hushed tone. We whispered our way to our seats and slunk down, hoping no one noticed our informal attire.
After a welcome coffee and croissants, we settled back into our seats and nodded off.
We made two more stops to pick up passengers before leaving Birmingham’s urbanisation and heading northwest through the Shropshire and Cheshire countryside as the sun rose.
Suddenly, I understood what people meant about being up with the dawn. It was rather spectacular. Not that I intend to make a habit of it, but there’s nothing like rolling green fields in the early light.
We tootled along at a gentlemanly pace before crossing the border into Wales, where we followed the north coast to Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction.
At Llandudno Junction, the train had to reverse before starting the spectacular journey up the Conwy Valley in the Snowdonia National Park, to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Try saying that after a few glasses of Bucks Fizz, which we had with our snack pack mid-journey.
At Blaenau Ffestiniog, the fun really began because this is where we left The Statesman and boarded the historic narrow gauge steam train for the 30-minute journey even further up the mountain to Tan-y-Bwlch, which is a train station, a cafe and a lake, and even harder to say than Blaenau Ffestiniog.
After a lovely walk through the Welsh Rainforest (that’s what they called it, and it was a bit like a rainforest, except for the temperature), we returned to Blaenau Ffestiniog to rejoin The Statesman for the journey back to Banbury.
Here’s a picture of us on the steam train. Russell reckoned I’d got a bit camera happy by this stage, so we call this one ‘Talk to the Hand’.
The journey home was long, and we were tired from a full day of trains and sighseeing, so – after polishing off yet another one of the endless snack boxes they kept plying us with – we dozed in our plush velvet seats as the day turned into night, arriving back in Banbury around 10.30 pm.
I loved our whistle-stop tour of Wales, but next time I want to do it in a car so we can pick and choose our stops and timing. We saw so many wonderful-looking places, but they disappeared from view as fast as they arrived, tempting us to return.
Maybe we’ll do just that.
Thanks, Louise
A very fun trip with champs xx
Hi Sue, I’m glad someone else admits to not being a morning person. I always feel we should hide it!
What super fun! Love train journeys. I don’t do mornings either so sympathize about the hideously early start.
Certainly was, Trina!
You never know,Leslie, but I fear we’re running out of time
We’re coming, Suzie!
And to the the south of England, Dale. So much to do, so little time!
It was fun, Shelagh. Thanks for coming for the ride
Whistle stop, love it. Perhaps so fast no one noticed you weren’t all poshed up.😂 Still pretty exciting to see the light of dawn aye?
Bravo to you both, early rises are definitely not your MO, what a wonderful experience none the less. Hopefully you will have a chance to revisit before heading back to Cairns
I gotta hand it to you!,
You both look fabulous .
Russell’s hand and your beautiful face!
Come home xxxxxx
Seen the same doco as I am a bit of a train buff myself. There’s another that goes to the north of Scotland.
Love the unpronounceable names. Also nice to get the heads up re dress code… sounds like a fun day out