Talyllyn Railway

Since I cut our hike up the mountain short, we found ourselves with a few hours to kill and it turned out our timing was impeccable to catch the last train on the Talyllyn Railway, a rail line that started in 1865 and still runs using the original engine and passenger carts. We took a short bus ride from the base of the mountain to the next station on the train's route. We provided much amusement to the master of the small rural train station when we informed him that we just got off the bus (a mostly unused system by the locals) to catch a train that would take 3 times longer than the bus! This train is purely a tourist attraction so we were a bit confused why it was so humorous as we weren't using it as the most efficient means of transportation. Any at any rate, he happily sold us a ticket and off we were on a ride at a speed that many people could have ran along side! But it gave us an opportunity to see a bit more of the gorgeous Dyfi Valley countryside. Oh, and if you stay for the stop at Abergynolwyn, then you get a complementary glass of Sherry and minced pie. It ended in Twynn by the sea and we had a quick glimpse of the sea before catching the last bus back to where we were staying. Let me tell you...that see was the most violent sea I have seen (though that is not saying much)!

Welsh Cadair Idris Mountain

Bernard joined me for the trip to Wales where CAT is and we spent the next day trekking up a nearby mountain Cadair Idris. We were caught by the wet, winter Welsh weather just at the beginning of our journey and it stayed with us the whole way up and down. We made it to the lake at the top but I was too drenched and cold to make it to the peak so we turned back after a quick picnic lunch by the lake. Now, when I say picnic lunch, I mean sitting up against a rock hoping for it to provide some shelter from the windy rain while we scarfed down our sandwiches. I must say though, I loved the effect of the gusty wind on the top of the water! I could watch that for ages.

Center for Advanced Technology

In my desires to learn more about sustainable living and development, I set out to visit a place that promotes/lives these ideas. After much scheduling re-shuffling I found myself going to CAT. Not being impressed by the quality of information on the website should have been a clue of what was to come at CAT. While CAT promotes great principles and ideas, I don't think a one day trip will be of great inspiration to a new-comer to ecological/sustainable living nor provide in-depth enough information for someone who is already informed on these topics. Maybe I am wrong on the matter of a new-comer. They do offer courses and maybe those are worthwhile, but I have not taken one so I can make an opinion. Don't get me wrong...I think CAT is trying to do a great thing...one just may not be inspired by their facilities. They do live and research the ideas they promote. I found CAT by exploring the ecovillage website...http://gen.ecovillage.org/. Maybe there is one near you that will be interesting to visit!