just copying the post below from the other forum, for anyone who's missed it there.
Tim
Hi Folks,
We propose a Leonard Cohen Hike in North Wales, over a long weekend from Thurs 2nd October to Monday 6th October 2008.
Thurs 2nd Oct
We will stay in Barmouth (Welsh name Abermaw), and we (Diane and Tim) will meet you at Barmouth train station, which is easily reached from Birmingham and Manchester Airports (and others). We will have hired a minibus locally, for the duration of the long weekend.
For Birmingham Airport, take the free Air-Rail link bus from the airport terminal to the station:
Based on the current time table, the first connecting train leaves Birmingham International Station at 8.04 and arrives at Barmouth at 11.52 (change at Birmingham New Street and Machynlleth), and the last train leaves Birmingham International Station at 14.05 and arrives at Barmouth at 17.52 (changes once at Birmingham New Street).
NOTE This and all other train times are based on the Winter timetable. The Summer Timetable (valid from 18th May to early December) is yet to be published. Since you can only book train tickets up to 3 months in advance, you're advised to book in early July, by which time the summer timetable will have been published - but these train times should give you a good indication of how much time you'll need to allow, and which flights you can connect with. For both Manchester and Birmingham airports, a return ticket currently costs approximately GBP45 - hopefully this will not have increased too much by October! Websites for booking rail tickets include qjump.co.uk and nationalrail.co.uk.
For Manchester Airport:
Based on the current timetable, the first connecting train leaves Manchester Airport at 9.07 and arrives at 13.48 (change at Manchester Piccadilly and Shrewsbury), and the last train leaves at 13.07 and arrives at Barmouth at 17.52.
Barmouth - Welsh name Abermaw - is a characterful town on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay, where the mountains of Snowdonia sweep down to the sea. It has a wonderful wooden railway bridge, spanning the estuary, and miles of sandy beaches.
Railway bridge:
Here's an aerial view:
There are a number of B&Bs along Marine Parade, the sea front, and there will follow a selection, from which people can make their own bookings. Prices are from £25.00 per night pp.
Fri 3rd Oct
A walk up Cadair Idris. Cadair Idris means Chair of Idris, a Welsh giant, so-called because the mountain resembles a giant chair. We walk from Barmouth, to the summit (2930ft). The popular Welsh anthem Men of Harlech includes the line, "Tongues of fire on Idris flaring". There are numerous legends about Cadair Idris. Some nearby lakes are supposed to be bottomless, and anyone who sleeps on its slopes will awaken either a madman or a poet.
Cadair Idris:
Sat 4th Oct
A drive in the minibus to Llanberis and a walk up Snowdon - Welsh name Yr Wydffa - the highest mountain in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands 3,560 ft.
Snowdon from Llyn Llydaw:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Snowdon_from_Llyn_Llydaw.jpg
Sunday 5th Oct
This day is open, we will have taken a vote on what to do by then. We can climb another mountain, or take a train ride on one of the narrow guage railways. Or visit any of a number of attractions, such as a copper mine, slate museum, adventure park where instructors teach you to climb ropes, Portmeiron, an amazing Italianite village, The Centre for Alternative technolgy at Machynlleth, old abbeys and castles, go-carting, etc.
Monday 6th Oct
Return to your airport.
For Birmingham, the first train leaves Barmouth station at 6.46(!) and arrives at Birmingham International station at 10.39. The last train leaves at 16.50 and arrives at Birmingham International station at 20.39.
For Manchester, the first train leaves Barmouth station at 6.46 and arrives at Manchester Airport station at 11.11. The last train leaves at 14.52 and arrives at Manchester Airport station at 19.52.
If you don't wish to do the mountain walks, you are still welcome to join us. There is a train to the summit of Snowdon if you want to do that on the Snowdon day, and Barmouth is a lovely place to hang out if you just want a bit of peace.
Approximate estimated cost for B&B: GBP25+/night
Estimated cost for minibus pp: GBP35-70 depending on numbers
We will have more information on both figures when we visit Barmouth in the Spring to check things out.
More info:
http://www.britainexpress.com/countryside/Snowdonia.htm
http://www.barmouth.org.uk/
Definites so far:
Tim
Diane
Henning
Eric (Birdon)
other persons who have expressed an interest:
Willy and Wijbe
Jarkko and Eija
Wens
If anyone is interested in coming along, please let us both know, by private message here or email (or carrier pigeon or other preferred means of communication) - also please get in touch if you have any questions.
cheers
Tim (and Diane)
