BACK TO ENGLAND (AND A ZOO)

We're still up on Denbigh moors - the year is 1961.

 

And so to Denbigh itself, with a postcard view.

Now we're in the ruins of the castle.

There were some good pubs in Denbigh. The Eagle was one of them, but it's now shut.

The Golden Lion is still in business - but no cask beer any more.

No real ale in the Plough either!

Thank heavens! The Bull Hotel has decent beer, though it's changed its name to The GuildhallTavern.

Onwards now to the long closed station at Bodfari (see the map here for the route). Photo by Ben Brooksbank (Creative Commons).

The Cross Foxes at Nannerch follows, worth seeking out.

To the east is the town of Mold. Here's the High Street - a postcard from my collection.

Flintshire County Hall is in Mold (Creative Commons License).

Crosville Wales was the main opeator in Mold, later to become Arriva.

Eagles & Crawford had a depot in the town centre.

Devaway had several services here at one time.

GHA Coaches also served the town.

Phillips of Holywell ran a regular service between the two towns.

Minibus operators have included M&H Coaches and Pied Bull.

Mold has a Wetherspoons - the Gold Cape.

The Boar's Head in Mold has now been renamed the Fat Boar.

Y Pentan is a former Marston's house.

Leaving Mold behind, we come to Buckley, once served by Buckley Junction station (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons).

Next stop, Queensferry, not to be confused with the Scottish ones. Here we could find the yard of Hollis Coaches.

This former West Riding Leyland was to be seen here, awaiting restoration.

A fine AEC Regent V of Helm's of Eastham was also once found in Queensferry.

Over the border, back in England, the Greyhound at Saughall.

To the north of the city of Chester is Chester Zoo. There's time for a snack in the Fountain Restaurant or a picnic in the gardens.

The zoo's gorilla has its own island.

There were rhinos here in 1968.

I'll leave you with the animals for now. The next post will find us in Chester itself.

ALONG THE CONWY VALLEY FOR A WHILE

Leaving Llandudno and the Great Orme behind, our first stop is Deganwy, alongside the Conwy esturary. Here's the village sometime around 1920. 

Deganwy has a railway statin, with the level crossing controlled by this ex LNWR signal box.

Onwards now to Llandudno Junction station, on the main line. Here, an ex LNWR 0-6-0 departs and passes No. 1 signal box in LMS times (Photographer unknown, my collection).

More modern traction here in the early 1980s.

There was a loco shed at Llandudno Junction. Here, 41241 sits in the yard.

A class 47 arrives with an up Holyhead express.

A DMU forms a shuttle to Llandudno in 1985.

Virgin West Coast 57310 pauses at Llandudno Junction.

Just outside the station is the Old Station Hotel, a Lees' tied house.

Arriva buses stop beside Llandudno Junction station.

Crosville had their main depot for the area at Llandudno Junction.

Empire Goldstar was an independent company with a depot around the back of Llandudno Junction.

South now, along the Conwy Valley, to Llanrwst, where another ex LNWR signal box controls the passing loop at what is now Llanrwst North station.

A new "Llanrwst" station has been built closer to the town centre. The year is 1990.

The fine bridge over the River Conwy at Llanrwst in 2003.

St Grwst church in Llanrwst (Creative Commons License).

The New Inn is a welcoming little boozer.

There's also the Pen-y-Bryn.

An elevated view of Llanrwst from Gwydir Forest (Creative Commons License).

Further inland now to the Swallow Falls near Betws-y-Coed.

The nearby Ogwen Falls.

A couple of postcards of Betws-y-Coed from my collection.

A local independent ran a bus service in Betws-y-Coed.

Beside the railway station is the Betws-y-Coed railway museum, with a miniature line.

An electric tram runs around the site too.

Turning east now, there's a bit of a problem on the road between Pentrefoelas and Denbigh.

Looking West-South West from Denbigh Moors looking circa 1965.

That's where we'll end this post. The next stop will be Denbigh, then beyond. Here's a link to the route so far.