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The day the whole trip was designed around. The Magnificent Heart of Wales Line.
Bold = Haulage, RED = Winner, All others are sightings.
Let me start with the train. Formed by two class 153s. We caught
2M08 Swansea to Shrewsbury 153382, 153552 Winners [121m 56ch]
I stashed our suitcase on one of the luggage racks on the leading unit and then nabbed a nice table set of seats. Once settled in we awaited the departure. It left about 1 minute late but by Llanelli it was on time and remained that way the whole trip.
The line is almost beyond words. Small rivers, rolling green hills, lovely views and a nice viaduct. Small station that if you blinked you could miss them. I tried a photo of Sugar Loaf station but it was blurred and rushed. Our trip was spoiled by a scam phone call to the wife. 99 times out of 100 she would not have fallen for it, but being relaxed and they having ALL her details she sadly fell for it. I have said to her give it year or so and we can do the line again and really enjoy it. This time Shrewsbury to Swansea.
We only had one night in Shrewsbury so we made the most of it. First we headed to the Wetherspoons hotel for food before checking in. The Pub is dreadful. Probably the WORST one I have ever been in. Drinks took 30 minutes to arrive and I ended up going and getting them myself. Then to food finally arrived and it was stone cold. We didn’t have a lot of hope for the hotel itsel. BUT we were very surprised. Our room overlooked the front beer garden of the pub and we were informed that they stop serving drinks about 11:30 and the pub itself closed at 1am! We didn’t have much hope of a good nights sleep. We were wrong. Once the window was closed it was quiet. The room had a double bed, a nice on suite bathroom with shower and small wardrobe. Just perfect for us for one night.
Leaving the pub we followed the route of the river and took a lovely was and ended up at the castle (which was closed) and a view of the station. Shrewsbury is another station with faded glory. Not as faded at Tenby but it could do with a lick of paint here an there. We wandered around a few placed and found the other Wetherspoons. Again a bit of a wait for the drinks but the chap I managed to ask out our drinks said that due the warm sunny weather he had five members of staff go sick on him. I think there will be five vacancies at the end of the day.
Neither of us wanted ‘Spoons food so we went for a walk round looking for something and discovered AVATAR! WOW what an experience. Great meal and great service. I suggest you book as it is a popular restaurant.