Mountain Train and Other Adventures in Wales

By Brad Crane (age 7)

The post author riding the train to the top of Mount Snowdon in North Wales.

I went on a mountain train up to the top of Mount Snowdon. The mountain train was very slow but quite fun. There were really pretty views and the track was very windy. The train went up forwards and down backwards. It wasn’t that steep at all. The row In front of you has to put their feet by you because they would slip off their seat. We saw two waterfalls—big waterfalls. There was a hiking path right next to the rail. We saw a lot of people on that trail. Then there was a stream in between the mountains. 

Mountain Views on the train to the peak of Mount Snowdon. All this variety and beauty and no geologist handy to tell us all about it.  Where is a geologist when you need one?

After time to time we have to stop at a passpoint so the other train can go by. There was a big cliff on one side and another cliff on the other side at the start. When we were about to get to the top of the mountain, I was cold because the windows were open. It was a beautiful journey too. When we were pulling into the station, and getting out, it was a little cold, so I decided to put on my parka.

When I got to the top there was a spiral staircase and I was up there in the sky.  And there I was on top of the world. Then I went down into a crater thing. It was steep. I had to climb down it. We had Welsh cakes—that’s what they were called. It was really rocky up there. We took a couple pictures up there. It looked like the hikers thought it was a big accomplishment. I myself would think that Mount Everest was a big accomplishment.

Brad and Jeremy on top of the World (or at least Wales)!

The view from the top of Mount Snowdon

 It was really high and I was warm because I had my parka on now. It was time to get back on the train and start going backwards. I got into the train and started waiting for a few seconds before it started. They didn’t check tickets on the way down so the hikers could just get in if they were too tired. On the way down, I felt like I was falling backward. There was a guy next to us who wasn’t Welsh who we talked to. By the way, we’re in Wales right now. On our way down, me and Jeremy were arguing about sitting next to each other so I just sat on the other side of the bench .We enjoyed going down because we had the windows closed, finally .While we were going down, we saw the two waterfalls again. Then we just pulled into the station. Then we started to walk to the car. It was a really short walk. Then we got in the car and started driving to the Irish Sea. 

At the Irish Sea, we found lots of pretty rocks and I made a big block of sand. We picked up little rocks and threw them at the big field of rocks to see how much they bounced. It was really cool. Then we decided to hike up a big hill. At the top we could see Ireland. Me and Jeremy went to tell Sarah that we could see it, but we both slipped because it was steep and very wet. And then Dad decided for us to take the main trail. It was fun going down because we had a race. We had to dodge all the people who were hiking up too. 

The sky, earth, and sea meet on the Welsh shore.

Walking on water (almost) on the edge of the Irish Sea.  I think that something about the scarves on the beach suggests we aren't in Florida.

Exploring the rocks along the beach.

After the Irish Sea, we went to the longest town name in the world. It was called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogogoch. (My Dad helped me write the name.)  It has a very silly name. But it makes sense in Welsh language.  (Dad:  It means "The Church of Mary in the Hollow of the White Hazel Near the Fierce Whirlpool and the Church of Tysilio by the Red Cave.") Then we went to dinner. I had nuggets and ketchup and fries and peas. Then we drove home.  It was a very tiring day. Daddy and Jeremy were playing a game with the temperature. Daddy won because the temperature kept getting colder and Daddy was voting for cold. It got to be 42 degrees. While we were going home, the moon got very very bright. When we got home, everybody was supposed to carry everything in from the car but they didn’t--not quite everything. And then, Dad was trying to get everyone in bed. We all went to bed. It was a very great day.

Here is an old railway station in Llanfairpwllgw.....See below for a closeup of the full name.

Here is a closeup of the full name of the town.  Imagine that spelling test . . .

 Everybody was really tired and definitely not ready for Sunday. I was especially very late for Sunday. I wanted to sleep in and eat breakfast. I refused to take a shower I just really wanted to take a bath. At church me and Elliott played. It was very fun, except for going home because the moon isn't that cool. I like this day because it was very fun and great.