A Day in Llandudno

June 12 2013:  A Day in Llandudno

After another full breakfast buffet, our plan for the morning was to travel to the top of the Great Orme on the Tramway.  A portion of our group gathered for a ¾ mile walk to the lower station where we boarded our car. This is Great Britain's only remaining cable operated street tramway and one of only three surviving in

Tram and Tramway up the Great Orme

the world. Operation of the tramway differs from the famous and unique San Francisco system in that, like the Lisbon lines, it is a street funicular, where the cars are permanently fixed to the cable and are stopped and started by stopping and starting the cable.  The line is in two sections and passengers change cars at the Halfway Station. The lower section climbs the very steep Old Road and then via Black Gate and Ty Gwyn Road to the Halfway Station

Tram

and has a maximum grade of 1 in 4. The line climbs 400 feet in about half-a-mile. It was opened for passengers on July 31, 1902. The upper section, opened in 1903, is less steep and climbs 150 feet in about the same distance.  It was a neat ride, however, as we were approaching Victoria Station, it started to rain and about 1/3 of the way up the grade we moved into the clouds and were unable to see more than about 100 yards.  It was also quite cool.  So, at the top, we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and then headed back down. 

We ate at one of the little restaurants in the town where I had the traditional fish and chips and Janine had broccoli soup that was made with pureed broccoli.  She claimed that it was good.  My fish was great.

Snowdon Railway Diesel Engine  They also have working
steam locomotives.

Snowdon Steam Locomotive and Car

We then loaded a small group to travel to Mt. Snowdon where we boarded the train on the  Snowdon Mounain Railway.  This turn of the century cog railway takes passengers to the top of Mt. Snowdon,  the highest point in the British Isles at 3,560 feet.  It offers breath taking views of the national park and surrounding countryside, however, it was again rainy and cloudy and windy and we could see almost nothing except the landscape in the immediate area for the entire trip. 

A view from the top.

Also, snce the winds were quite strong, the train only traveled ¾ of the way to the tip of the mountain.  The diesel-powered engine pushes only one car and it was jammed packed with people.  A lady sitting across from us walked to the top of the mount when she was 61 years old and received a plaque for being the oldest person to accomplish that feat. It was neat but probably only 20 percent as neat as it would have been in clear weather.

Llandudno Victorian Pier

Back in Llandudno, we walked out onto the Victorian Pier which was constructed to give early vacationers a sense of being out to sea. The 2,295 foot long  Pier, was built in 1878.  It is the longest pier in Wales and is reputed to be one of the finest recreational piers in Britain.

Again, we dined in fine style in the Imperial Hotel dining room.  I sampled a local beer, Brains, and

Llandudno Promenade and Hotel Lineup

found it to be quite nice.  While we were eating, a young man began playing a harp in the adjacent bar.  I was intrigued by the sounds and ventured in to enjoy his music with several members of our group.  He was extremely talented playing various types of music from classical to ragtime.  I talked with him during a break and he teaches harp and piano and plays in this type of venue or as a member of a duet or small group.  Although classically trained, concert work is of no interest to him.  It was a delightful way to end the day.