Languishing At Llandudno - 3

Surveying The Summit

It is called The Summit Complex but, in reality, it is currently very simple. It's a caff and toilets.

Once upon a time it had a well stocked bar ...

... which, oddly, celebrated the famous boxer Randolph Turpin ...

... complete with statue.

Now, the room is merely used as overflow for the caff.

Round the back of the building you will find the minimalist terminal "station" for the cable car.

There is also a good overview of the tramway's Summit station ...

Here there is a small visitor centre with information about the geology of the lump; and with one of these on display.

For obvious reasons toilets feature oft in the fbbs' travel experiences, both good and bad. The provision at the visitor centre intrigued. There was this ...

It was a ludicrous 50 P 2 P!

But, literally just round the corner in the entrance of the visitor centre ...

... a much more amenable service was available.

Yippee!

Whilst in their hotel, fbb had read an article on-line about the re-opening of an "attraction" at the Great Orme summit. Initially excited, the old folks became less enthusiastic when it turned out to be crazy golf!

Despite the day's being overcast, it was being well used when the fbb's alighted from their 26 bus.

Signage was hardly to a slick professional standard and the warnings about bad weather were doubtless of some importance to she who sat at the receipt of custom!

But if you averted you gaze from the "attractions", there were some gorgeous views - even though the weather was somewhat overcast. Here a view over the north shore where sat the fbbs hotel and further on to the Little Orme. ...

... and looking south in the direction of Conwy.

Weedy phone camera shots do not do justice to the real thing. But here's something better from the Visit Conwy web site!

Likewise, pictures taken from the window of Arriva's descending 26 are even less justice-doing! But you will get the idea.

And Down To Town

Pleasant rugged scenery all round ...

... plus a few of the Orme's celebrated caprine residents!

There are plenty of glimpses of the bay ...

... and the tram is never far away.

All views are better experienced live rather than from the lens of a camera onboard a solo Solo!

Interestingly, most passengers on the 26 were holders of Welsh free travel passes and several rode to the summit, sat tight and rode back.

So for Great Orme on the cheap, go by bus!

Tomorrow, we ride the full length of the cross-town 26 and get to see Llandudno away from the touristy bits.

fbb will also take a look at publicity for the service (GUESS!) and the presentation of the timetables on line.

In the meantime, the  route passes Cafe Nero as enjoyed by the fbbs on the Monday of their holiday.

A careful perusal reveals that this was the very location of the tram terminus of the line from Colwyn Bay, closed in 1956.

The rounded corner of Cafe Nero, the one bay window next door and the peaked roof of the red coloured edifice serve to fix the location.

Alas no more street trams run in Llandudno, but fbb did photograph a 26 at the same spot!

And today's buses to Colwyn Bay and Rhyl still pass thataway!

Breaking News : Breaking Depot!

News arrives (thanks to correspondent Roy) that Arriva's depot at Belle Isle in Wakefield has been suddenly closed "due to a structural problem"; i.e. it is falling down!

Arriva has permanently closed a bus depot which houses its Yorkshire head offices due to serious structural problems. The operator took emergency action following the discovery in an engineering building at Wakefield bus depot.

This depot was previously the home of West Riding Automobile Services Ltd ...

... and is on an extensive site on Barnsley Road.

As many bus watchers will know, it was the home to a large fleet of Guy Wulfrunian front entrance front engine double deckers.

This was a marque which was spectacularly unsuccessful but which appears to have been adored by West Riding.

Thay also came in red!

 Next 26 blog : Thursday 19th September