Further trips along memory lane to Aberystwyth

The line from Shrewsbury to the Welsh Coast, either to Aberystwyth and especially Pwllheli is one of the best railway journeys in the country and one that I've been wanting to travel on again for a long time. Today was the day.

We originally intended to travel the line all the way to Pwhelli along the Cambrian coast. We did a small portion of that journey last year https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2193004713811641834 and it was spectacular. However, in the end a 4 hour journey each way was just to long and would have meant returning late if we were to have any time at our destination. So we decided to take the shorter option to Aberystwyth.

The first time I travelled by train to Aberystwyth was when I was 17 for an interview at the University to study Geology. That's another story, with lots of good memories. I think I've only been to the place on perhaps two or three occasions since, both in the 1970s and both when it was wet, dull and miserable and both in the summer.

Today was a sparking day. The ride through mid Wales from Shrewsbury and back was through countryside at its best. The town looked lovely in the sunshine. We travelled on the Cliff Railway (seen in the background) to the top of Constitution Hill to look at the view and visit the Camera Obscura. This popular destination in Victorian times has, in the last 30 years, been restored to its former glory and is once again thronged with people enjoying the attractions.

We enjoyed our lunch looking out over the town and sea before travelling back down to Marine Parade, walking along the promenade to the harbour (where in 1974ish my glasses fell into the water - which I was able to retrieve when the tide went out!). From the harbour it was back into town with just time to admire the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway before catching the 15.30 train home - which was packed to the gunnels.