Loose_Grip/Pete's photos with the keyword: 2010

Ashford Castle Hotel near the village of Cong is an impressive building but so are the grounds seen here at sunset. We spent a few days there for my wife's birthday back in 2010. A cold and snowy few days but the sun shone. Founded in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman De Burgo and then captured by the English Lord Bingham in 1589 it was bought by the Guiness family in 1852. It has been rebuilt and extended many times. It became a hotel in 1939 and was doubled in size in 1970. Not cheap but a great place to stay. HFF to everyone. Have a great weekend.

We had arrived early at the Holyhead ferry to Dublin so took the opportunity to drive on to South Stack. The lighthouse was built in 1809. The rocks are highly deformed meta-sediments of the Early Cambrian South Stack Group - part of the Mona Complex. The cliffsides were swarming with gulls making a hell of a noise and although there were also puffins about we only saw them on the RSPB livecam in the Ellins Tower centre off to the left of this shot.

The light was going but Croagh Patrick was catching the last winter rays. Seen from Westport Co. Mayo.

Amid the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia, Beyer-Garratt NGG16 2-6-2 + 2-6-2T 138 (1958), formerly of the South African Alfred County Railway, climbs the steep gradient south of Rhyd Ddu with the return train to Caernafon. This was my first trip on the railway and was definitely worth the visit. At this time the line terminated at Pont Croesor in the middle of nowhere a few miles north of Portmadog, a 45mile round trip, but today it runs the full length of the line to Portmadog.

Dating from 1886 the Dom Luís I Bridge is a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the River Douro between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Line D trams of the Metro run over the upper bridge while the lower carries road traffic. This view was taken from the Vila Nova de Gaia riverside which is famous for its port wine cellars. Now part of a tourist display these sailing boats were once used to transport the wine from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia for storage and export. HFF & a great weekend to everyone.

The Shakespeare Express is a regular summer season, steam-hauled, service between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon operated by Vintage Trains using Tyseley's locomotives. Great Western Railway Hall 4-6-0 4965 Rood Ashton Hall is seen at Snow Hill. The modern concrete station is not very fitting! HFF and have a great weekend.

At speed on the Great Western Railway main line between Slough and Ealing and the only light is from the white hot coals through the partially open firebox door silhouetting the fireman's profile while the driver keeps an eagle eye on the road ahead. Among the many and varied noises as we rushed through the night was the satisfying ring of the AWS bell indicating a clear road ahead. Southern Railway N15 4-6-0 30453 King Arthur is on the Saint George's Day (Sir Lamiel was Welsh) Cathedrals Express steam special returning to Clapham Junction from Stratford upon Avon.