The first day of my slightly extended week off. Totally unplanned for, and possibly occuring at the worst time financially possible, being in the middle of a month where payday fell earlier than usual.
Kicked off with a long promised trip up the next Welsh Valley. Astute readers will recall that when things got rather tricky back in November I responded by returning to my track-bashing ways. The first such journey being some new track up to Rhymney. I'm not sure why I've neglected the valley lines for so long, considering they are practically on my doorstep. Perhaps that's just why! In any case, I decided to go to Merthyr Tydfil.
As I realised I'd be passing Aberfan, I called my dad to ask him how long ago it was I last passed down the Taff Vale on a family trip to Porthcawl. He pointed out the site of the disaster to us, and the ranks of memorials on the valley side. Despite being rather young, I have always remembered it vividly. Dad estimated that trip must have taken place in 1980 at the latest. Felt exceedingly old.
Reasonable run to Bristol, where I spotted the Class 31 hauled 12:52 to Brighton. I'm booked on this next week, so I sincerely hope to see it then! Over to Cardiff on a slightly sluggish 150/153 combination, and then onto a Valley Lines 143 for the trip up the Taff Vale.
The first part of the line is essentially a suburban service - Cathays and stations to Radyr appearing to be busy and well kept. After that it's out into the valley, with impressive scenery and somewhat less depressing (and apparently more affluent) small towns and villages than the Rhymney branch.
Passed Aberfan on the other side of the valley (just like on the last trip!). Almost identical in appearance to my last visit which remains so clear in my memory, despite the new A470 zooming by behind the cemetary. Saw only a little of Merthyr before heading back to Cardiff, and then a busy commuter service to Weston.
Rather dangerously discovered that I can now order Pizza online... A strange day, but productive at least, which is half the trouble with these darn holidays...
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
