Llanberis (National Slate Museum)

Hello everyone

I hope you are all well.

I'm having a lovely time in Wales still. 

Today we all went to Llanberis to the slate mine museum and to look at the Llanberis Lake Railway. 

First off though we went to a slate shop called Inigo Jones Slate Works. There were lots of lovely gifts there to buy made from slate. I could have bought so much but I didn't have too much pocket money with me but I've bought some really lovely things for myself and my friends. 

(If you want to see what Inigo Jones has to offer visit their website at www.inigojones.co.uk)

After that we went to the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. It was amazing, it's free entry but there is so much to see and do, and there are lovely views across to Snowdon.

They have a massive water wheel working and lots of workshops,foundry and other things to look at to see how things would have run when slate was produced in the area.

The museum is located where the Dinorwic slate quarry used to be. 

I would recommend it to anyone. After such a busy day I didn't have a lot of time to do anything else so I just watched the Llanberis Lake Railway train go past before returning to our accommodation near Porthmadog. 

Speak soon

Lots of love

Ben

Inigo Jones shop

Vale of Rheidol

Hello everyone

Ben here!

I've bought a Welsh phrase book today so I might try some of it out on you over the next few days.

As well as my book I've also been on the Vale of Rheidol railway. I came here last year but I always like going to railways, even if I've been before as there is always something new to see. 

It was very rainy when we left Aberystwyth but by the time we got to Devil's Bridge it was much nicer weather. 

The views from the railway were superb, and it was such a long way up. All of the houses below looked like models. 

I had a lovely cup of tea and a sandwich at Devil's Bridge (and possibly a slice of cake).

On the way back, because the weather was so nice, I decided to pay my £3 supplement and go in the first clas carriage. I was right behind the engine, I had such a lovely time. 

For more information on the Vale of Rheidol railway why not visit their website; http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Speak soon

Lots of love 

Ben

Ready to go, all prepared with my guide book

Just a spot of rain

My view of the engine on the way back!

Ffestiniog Railway

Hello everyone and welcome (Croeso) to my blog

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend. 

Today mummy, daddy, all three of my grandparents and I went for a ride on the Ffestiniog Railway (Rheilffordd Ffestiniog)- I'm trying to learn a bit of Welsh- Rheilffordd means rail road or railway. 

We experienced amazing views and all of the staff and volunteers were so cheerful and welcoming which made the day even better- even if the weather wasn't perfect.

We ha a return journey from Porthmadog all the way to the end at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

It's amazing how two places can be so different; Porthmadog is a small town with lots of open views and greenary and Blaenau Ffestiniog is where there were lots of slate mines (and still some remain to this day) and is much smaller with  towering slate mountains. 

It is all very beautiful though and very different from anything I would see back home in England. 

I'm having such a lovely time in Wales. I'm here until Saturday so I'll let you know what else I get up to. 

For more information on the Ffestiniog Railway and train times visit their website; 

http://www.festrail.co.uk

Speak to you 

Lots of love 

Ben 

A very useful rule to remember

On the train

The views

One of the locos running today 

Bala Lake Railway

Hello everyone

I hope you are all well. 

I'm on holiday now in Wales with all of my family. I love it here. 

We have just settled into our holiday cottage which is on a farm just outside Porthmadog. I love hearing all the sheep, cows and birds outside instead of hearing cars like I do at home. 

On the way from Surrey mummy, daddy, pops and I stopped off at the Bala Lake Railway which was really lovely. 

The views of the lake were superb from the train. I had a lovely time.

We then had a cup of tea and a slice of cake before continuing on our journey to Porthmadog. 

When we got there there was a Welsh Highland Railway train just coming into the station so we stopped for a moment to watch. 

For more information on the Bala Lake Railway check out their website; http://bala-lake-railway.co.uk 

After such a busy day I'm very tired now so it's off to bed with me. 

Nighty night everyone

Lots of love

Ben

Diesel loco at the station

In a skip wagon

Not so good at the selfies! 

Winifred

I like cakes!

The beautiful lake

Carter's Steam Fair (9th May 2015)

Hello everyone 

Sorry I didn't update you all sooner but I've been super busy in my garden and greenhouse over the last few days. 

I've got lots of lettuce all ready to eat and all of my other vegetable plants are coming on a treat. Hopefully I'll be able to show you all soon. 

On Saturday mummy, daddy and I all went to Pinkneys Green near Maidenhead. We went because Carters Steam Fair was there for a few days. 

We had a lovely time walking around looking at all the engines and rides and had a go on some of the rides too.

I loved the gallopers which also had a horse with my name on. 

It was a shame we had to leave, I could have stayed all day. But my plants don't water themselves! 

I hope we will see the fair somewhere else soon. 

For more information on the fair and where you can see it, visit their website;

www.carterssteamfair.co.uk

Next week I'm on holiday in Wales so I'll let you all know what I get up to. 

Speak to you all soon

Lots of love

Ben

Swing boats

Engines in the sunshine

Lorries 

Galloped horses

Ben the galloped horse

One of the engines

Having a closer look at the engines 

Toy and Rail Collectors Fair (Bluebell Railway)

Hello everyone

I hope you are all well. 

Today mummy, daddy and I went to Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell Railway to a Toy and Rail Collectors fair. 

It was really busy and there was so much to see, I didn't even know where to start.

All of the platforms had stalls on selling Toys and Railway collectables. There were also a lot of stalls in the station car park selling collectables. 

I didn't buy much but I had a lovely time looking at everything. 

I even got to have a ride on the train to Sheffield Park and back. 

Now I'm back home and ready to have more adventures on the bank holiday weekend.

For more information on the railway and their events, they have an even bigger collectors fair in July, have a look at their website; www.bluebell-railway.com 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Lots of love 

Ben 

Just some of the stalls on the platforms 

Train ride