Twixtmas

Twixtmas, that period between Christmas and New Year where you lose track of the day and the calories.

Spent the first part of Twixtmas at my in-laws and as is often the case, some early afternoon sunshine is sufficient to tempt one out for a walk to shake some of those calories down.

One advantage of being away is the chance to walk different paths, though this one is quite familiar. Out of the cul-de-sac and onto the lane. Easy for walking, or scooting for the younger ones. We head away from the town, towards the sheep filled fields and the hills.

Before long we reach a crossroads of lanes. Turn right for ‘Lovers Lane’, or straight on towards a big house, or Ty Mawr as we are in Wales. We however turn left, between two high hedges.

Soon the lane rises up and we are above the hedges and we come to a slate built bridge over a railway. These are narrow gauge rails for we are just outside Tywyn and this is the Talyllyn Railway. Ty Mawr bridge to be precise. Three quarters of a mile from Tywyn Wharf and where the railway enters Eryri National Park. Whilst we pause to admire the view we hear a whistle. An up train is just coming through Pendre, our timing is impeccable.

It’s not long before we see the tell tale wisp of steam as the driver opens up away from Pendre. The rails are flat and the train quickly gathers pace, the wind carrying the exhaust away horizontally causing the sheep to run. The white steam being interspersed with darker clouds as the fireman is adding to the fire for the grades ahead.

As the train rounds the corner, the gradient steepens and the beat of the little engine gets louder as the driver opens up. The climb up through here is the steepest on the line.

With a wave from the driver and a toot of the whistle, the loco dives through the bridge and we are briefly enveloped in a cloud of steam and smoke.

Children and adults alike, we cross the bridge as the train emerges from beneath us. With a backdrop of the Fatthew valley and Cadair Idris behind. We watch as the little train tackles the climb up Hendy with a crisp and steady beat from the front.

There is no one on the halt today and within a minute or two the train disappears from view through the bridge at the top of the bank and we can resume our walk.