Suzie in Wales - Day 6 (Nearly the end)

Today was the final full day of the trip and also the shortest railway. The day started with a very busy breakfast as there was a lake swimming event on - they were just getting ready to start as we headed out for the day. Apparently the hotel hosts these events a few times a year through different organisations. 

The Corris Railway is only about 3/4 of a mile at the moment, although they are working on an extension. To make up for this you do get the chance to hear about the railway and have a look at the engine and carriage sheds which proved interesting. It’s entirely volunteer run, unlike most that we’ve visited, and it shows, but they were very friendly. As with a few others here it started as a gravity slate line with horses pulling the wagons back up but later converted to steam haulage and introduced passenger services. 

Replica slate wagon in the workshops. 
 

The railway closed shortly after being taken over by British Rail in 1948 and unfortunately part of the track bed was taken over by the highway authority to widen the road. To save space at Corris the railway uses a small traverser to move the loco across to the run around loop, it looked hard work!

After the ride we had coffee, looked round the small museum, shopped and chatted then our next stop was the Corris Craft Centre which showed definite signs of being a bit dippy hippy! It’s also the location for King Arthur’s Labrynth, an outdoor maze and a slate mining experience - we didn’t fancy the first (it involves boat rides and AV), Mandy’s scooter bogged down in the gravel of the second and, whilst it’s have liked to try, I decided I couldn’t physically manage the third! We got an OK lunch though and some shopping so it was worth the visit. 

On the way back we decided to drive down the other side of Lake Talyllyn from our hotel. It was an interesting road - Steve was kept busy opening and closing the several gates and there was a substantial ford at the end. It was well worth it for the views though, both across the lake and of Cader Idris*. 

Our Hotel

*I’m using the spelling I know for Cader. The signs on the car park we passed use Cader Idris and Cadair Idris as well as Dol Idris which I think refers to the wider area.