The Welsh Highland Railway With a Bit of Train Spotting 22nd April 2023

A section of the Bryngwyn Branch Line.

Coastal views from the Bryngwyn Branch Line. 

"Mum, why am I not white like all the others lambs?"

Rhostryfan Station, the start and end of both walk today.

The only Welsh Highland train of the day from Caernarfon goes through Tryfan Junction.

Bruce looks straigh at us!

Bruce on the move with commentry from EM.

Yr Eifl still in the mist.

An unexpected enticement for Ospreys to nest.

Four Spring flowers in one spot.

Bontnewydd Station, our lunch spot.

Train parts as we approached Dinas Station.

Old trains stock, but will they ever run again?

"Let's play trains!"

Dinas Station.

Coastal views from the Bryngwyn Branch Line again.

More info on Rhostryfan.Distance: 10.5 miles. Climb: 925’.

Distance: 10.5 miles. Climb: 925’.
Time: 4 hours 52 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Temperature: 1.5. Celsius at the start. 4.4 Celsius at lunch. Max – 5.5 Celsius mid-afternoon in the sunshine.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 2 (a gust of 5.5 m.p.h.) just a light breeze. Group: Martyn and Ed.Time: 4 hours 52 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Temperature: 10.5. Celsius at the start. 14.4 Celsius at lunch. Max – 15.5 Celsius mid-afternoon in the sunshine.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 2 (a gust of 5.5 m.p.h.) just a light breeze.
Group: Martyn and Ed.
This turned out to be a really good day for walking weather-wise, not too hot and not too cold and only six spots of rain at lunch as we sat in the warm sunshine at Bontnewydd Station.
Distant views were rather misty, but that didn’t stop us identifying the lighthouse on Ynys Llanddwyn on Ynys Mon, Yr Eifl on the Lleyn and Mynydd Mawr in Yr Eryri.
Although this walk didn’t offer a lot in terms variety, it did provide some different historical interest as the walk came close to the Welsh Highland Railway track and three of its stations.
Lunch was taken at Bontnewydd Station, where we took advantage of a seat made out of ld railway lines and sleepers.
This seemed to be an area where Lesser celandine, Stitchwort, Primroses, Dog violet and even Bluebells could all thrive.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, European robin, winter wren, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, House sparrow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Canada goose, Carrion crow, Rook, Wheatear, Jackdaw Blue tit, Great tit, Blackcap, Meadow pipit, Barn swallow and Common buzzard.
We arrived back at the car having had a very enjoyable walk, looking forward to suitable liquid refreshment when we were at home.