2024 The Year That Was
Yes I know it’s now March and a whole two months of 2025 has now disappeared but it’s a busy month for me at work and honestly, I don’t know where it’s gone! And yes I am sorry that I’ve not kept the blog up to date but I’ve focused more on the YouTube Channel in the last couple of months.
Anyway let’s kick start the year with a usual Year That Was post…
January
– This Is 40…
Well January was inevitebly busy at work but last year it also saw me turning 40! Eeek! I found my 30th to be a bit of a watershed moment so actually 40 wasn’t that bad. We couldn’t celebrate in January because of work so we had a party at Y Stesion in early February instead. Husband had tried to organise a surprise party but I found out… I have friends who talk!!
– Even more birthdays…
There was another two birthdays in January – eldest turned 10 which meant a trip to Zipworld Fforest and lunch at Caffi Llyn. Our Beagle-bum Gemma turned 14 and little did we know this would be her last birthday.
February
– Severn Valley Railway
After my birthday party at Y Stesion (yes delayed due to work) we headed off down to the Severn Valley Railway. Oh it’s such a lovely heritage railway and I definitely would recommend a visit. Naturally there’s a video of our trip over on YouTube
(The SVR have had a horrendous landslide recently and need all the help they can get – check here to see how you can help)
– Centre Parcs
The SVR trip was my birthday treat booked by the husband… but also it was a way to placate me before a trip to dreaded Centre Parcs! You know my feelings about it!
Having said that though we had a few days at Sherwood Forest and the kiddos enjoyed it. It’s the swimming pool that’s the big hit if truth be told.
March
– Dydd Gwyl Dewi
The month started with a St David’s Day concert in Pwllheli. My little brother was playing in the band. I do love a brass band!
– Pudsey and Easter with the FWHR
This was followed by a trip up to Pudsey for Narrow Gauge North model railway show. I was attending with the FWHR stand.
Speaking of the FWHR the trains returned and of course we had a day of filming again. And at the end of the month there was a bit of things going on at Y Stesion including the launch of the FWHR Top Trumps.
– Talyllyn Railway’s 75th
One of my first steam trips of the year was not in fact the FR but rather the Talyllyn Railway. I was invited down to a shindig to celebrate their 75th anniversary! Had a great day with some railway friends. (Yes there’s a video!)
– Easter Holidays
Easter was early in 2024, and I ended up taking a few days off with the kids. I stayed local – at my mum’s in Blaenau. We went to Children’s Farm Park (video) in Llanfair, King Arthur’s Labyrinth (video) and went swimming at Machynlleth Pool.
The month ended with a trip to Llandudno on the train with my Dad. Great to spend time with him and my little brother.
– Our darling Gemma
Sadly as I was stood in B&M Bargains in Llandudno I had a call from my husband saying we’d lost our little Beagle-bum GemmaOur Beautiful Gemma! She was unwell and the husband took her to the vet. They said she was suffering with keto acidosis due to her diabetes and she went into shock but they couldn’t save her.
– Llanberis
On the very last day of the month we went on a family walk around Llyn Padarn. By the time we got to Llanberis we decided Megs couldn’t walk any farther so caught the Llanberis Lake Railway to Penllyn where the guard let us off and gave us all an Easter egg. Very lovely people at that railway – well worth a visit.
April
– Rhyl Miniature Railway
Still in the Easter holidays, we went over to Rhyl to visit the Rhyl Miniature Railway. Another fantastic railway and another one I’d recommend! (Video)
– Snowdonian and the Joys of Life Railway
Naturally there were more trains for me with the Snowdonian running on the FWHR. But that wasn’t the only one as I finally managed to be around when the Joys of Life Railway was running in Bethesda. Me and the littlest and a great afternoon there!
– Mynydd Parys
I took a day off and went to Mynydd Parys with my friend Eleri (lead singer of The Jones band – check them out!). If you’ve never been then it’s such an interesting place. It’s remains of old copper mines and the surface looks like you’re on Mars! The trip ended with a quick visit to Cefni Reservoir to take in some old railway relics.
– Banner making
Last thing we did in May was take part in a crafts evening at Llanberis. They were creating a banner to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Quarryman’s Union.
May
– Llandudno Extravaganza
Now this was a busy month! Started off with a day of chasing trains on the FR (naturally). This was swiftly followed by a family trip to the Llandudno Extravaganza! Hadn’t been for a few years so it was nice. Took the train in from Penmaenmawr and visited the Transport Festival at Bodafon fields before being shit-scared on the Victorian Ferris wheel!
– Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon
A week or so later the Caernarfon Food Festival happened so of course we had to go. Parked up at Dinas and caught the FWHR train into town. It was a beautiful sunny day and we consumed far too much food!
– Walt Disney World
Of course the highlight for May just had to be going to Walt Disney World in Florida. It was our “holiday of a lifetime” and one we had intended on doing in 2020 (but obviously couldn’t because of a worldwide pandemic). We had a great time!
Stayed in All Star Movies Resort and took in all the sights and sounds of all 4 Disney parks – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios – as well as 1 waterpark (Typhoon Lagoon). Would I do it again? Definitely! Kids enjoyed it even though it was hot and sticky and really long days… we didn’t pace ourselves at all!
There’s a fair few videos about it on YouTube. I have soooo much footage that I’m still making videos about it a year later!
June
– Rail Ale Festival
Another local festival! It’s an annual beer festival held by the FWHR which seems Dinas station converted into a place of food, beer and music. I was there to film a few bits but later in the evening I took the family in so we could watch the headline set by The Jones band. The kiddos and husband threw some moves out on the dance floor! I don’t dance under any circumstance.
Otherwise June was a quiet month. Well what do you expect, we’d just come back from Disney!!
July
– National Slate Museum
We ended up visiting the National Slate Museum. I love it there! We’ve been a fair few times but it was Megs’ first visit.
– FWHR Filming
Obviously there was more train filming with the launch of the newly refurbished Pullman carriage. In addition there was a trip down to the Vale of Rheidol railway to see Palmerston out on test after its recent refurbishment.
– Birthday
Littlest turned 9 and we had a movie party at our house. She had a topsy turvy cake and had some friends over to watch films.
– Joys of Life Railway
Another visit to the Joys of Life Railway! This time all 4 of us went and my friend. Spent another lovely afternoon at that little railway. It was such a sunny day as well… so ice cream was consumed if I remember correctly.
– Dolrhedyn
After not managing a single dip in Dolrhedyn during 2023, we did manage one swim there. It wasn’t as warm as 2022 so girls had their wetsuits on. I ended up in shorts and t shirt and I can tell you it was coooold!
August
– Dinas Dinlle
It wasn’t just Dolrhedyn that we went swimming. We also ended up at Dinas Dinlle beach a few evenings in August. On one such evening we took Megs with us and she ended up just barking at the sea.
– Bala Lake Railway
I had a Saturday all on my own whilst the husband and kiddos were away. So I found myself visiting Bala Lake Railway. Sunny day, cute engines – what more could you want?
– Isle of Man
Well I finally made to the Isle of Man and let’s be honest it was predominantly for the trains! We saw so much whilst there but still I want to go back. I’ve written a few post already and I have another one to do (about the railways). The highlight for me was of course all the railways but I also really enjoyed seeing the Laxey Wheel. One of my clients mentioned the Laxey Wheel to me years ago and I’ve been wanting to see it ever since. Such an amazing structure! Like I say there’s plenty I didn’t do – like Peel Castle and never made it to Ramsey – so I’m planning on doing a trip over again this year if I can.
– Drayton Manor
As a final treat of the Summer, husband decided to take kiddos down to Drayton Manor for two nights. I joined them at the for the second night.
Truthfully, Drayton Manor is ok but not the best value for money in my opinion. I don’t think I’ll go back anytime soon.
– Vale of Rheidol Steam Gala
August ended with another trip to the Vale of Rheidol but this time it was for the Steam Gala Weekend. Our little Palmerston was a guest star so I went down to film some of the action. The rest of the Moving Pictures team couldn’t make it so I took the family – including Megs. She’s fast becoming a little railway pup! (Video!)
September
– Portmeirion
The Oakeley Band were playing in Portmeirion and band leader Paul was retiring. So I tagged along to wish him all the best and to watch my little brother play. It was a sunny day and the girls ended up paddling in one of the fountains. You know, as you do.
– Snowdonian and Super Power
Had two filming weekends with the FWHR in September – firstly the Super Power weekend and then the second run of the Snowdonian.
– Mainline Steam
The FWHR duties was not the only steam I saw. Another highlight was seeing Sir Nigel Gresley in steam at Bangor Station. I forget what the event was but it was passing through and I couldn’t let the opportunity to see it slip by. So I ended up being late to work but hey it was worth it to get a couple of clips of this stunner in the sunshine!
– Coedwig Beddgelert
To finish off the moment we went on a family walk to Coedwig Beddgelert (that’s the forest for all you non Welshies). Lovely walk through some trees and then to Llyn Llywelyn.
– Anderton Boat Lift
I had a random day around Cheshire so I ended up at the Anderton Boat Lift. Such an interesting structure! I made a video about it… of course!
October
– Bygones
October always starts off fantastically with the FWHR‘s Bygones weekend. All the toys come out to play and we had a great time filming it! I even walked from Tanygrisiau to Dduallt to film the gravity train leaving.
– Moel Tryfan and Alexandria Quarry
The eldest and I went for a walk to see this place. It’s been on my to-do list for a while so when a sunny afternoon presented itself we took the opportunity to go check it out. I’ve got a blog post coming up but in the meantime how about watching the video of our walk?
– The Eryri (Snowdonia) Circular
I’ve written about this before and finally managed it on the very last day of service trains. Husband, me and the dog went on our jaunt around Eryri on the trains – see this video for the full story!
– Northern Lights
2024 was a year for seeing the Northern Lights from the UK. We first saw them in May but it was mid October that they were best seen. I took the best photos of it. I went up to Lon Clegir above Llanberis to see them across Anglesey.
November
– Bye for Now Amgueddfa Lechi
In November the Amgueddfa Lechi (the National Slate Museum) shut its doors… not forever thankfully! Only for two years as they’re having refurbishment works done. Before they closed the girls and I went on a tour of what was changing. Whilst I was initially worried that they’d make too many changes, after the tour my worries were alleviated and its subtle things that will change. I created a video about it over on YouTube.
– Blackpool Illuminations Express
I spotted a rail tour to Blackpool and managed to wangle a one way ticket from Crewe to Blackpool on it as we wanted to stay over to make a weekend of it.
Our noble steed was LMS Jubilee Class 45596 “Bahamas” which has been lovingly been restored to mainline conditions. Now owned by the Bahamas Locomotive Society, she was on a mainline rail tour under the wing of Steam Dreams. (see video here)
(Not much to say about Blackpool – didn’t do the Tower as Strictly was in town so it was off limits. Went to Pleasure Beach and it was shit – don’t believe the adverts online… it’s really shoddy looking now)
December
– New Sofas and New Roof
If December wasn’t expensive enough with Christmas, we also bought a new sofa. We opted for a blue-green- off white combo and for a few weeks no one was allowed to bring any food or drink near it! I’ve mellowed now…
And finally got the roof fixed! As much as I love the jackdaws that ended up nesting there over the last 5 or so years, they’ve damaged the roof so much that we had to do extensive repair work. Poor little jackdaws have been displaced but I have put a bird box up for them so here’s hoping they’ll resettle for me.
– Christmas Activities
Of course Christmas isn’t Christmas without parties, school plays and steam train trips. School play was successful and thankfully no costumes were needed.
Our party was at Spooners and I was so worried because I felt that if it was a crap party it would be my fault… needn’t have worried as everyone enjoyed! Despite the fact that we had weather warnings pinging up on everyone’s phones all evening!
And naturally we had to attend the Santa’s Grotto at Harbour Station. I’m slightly sad as it may well have been the last one for the kiddos… well the eldest anyway.
– Post Christmas Activities
During that “twixmas” period we went on a family walk from Penmaenmawr to Llanfairfechan. Good little walk that!
And of course there was a day of chasing trains! Couldn’t end the year without my fix of trains!
Did you make it this far?! Well done you! As I say, this post is a bit long but it’s for my own benefit mostly. So here’s to 2025… or what’s left of it!!
