The Mach Loop

 OMG...talk about a shock! Another two jets, lower than those yesterday, came past about 9 am. Nearly jumped out of my skin. Ian rushed out, identified them as F 15 a North American hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft. No photo's 'cos they were here one minute and gone the next!

Heavy rain has been forecast for later in the day. One job Ian has been meaning to do was clean the awning. The top was covered in bird poo, we think from last year 'cos it's not been pulled out since then. Inside was equally disgusting, felt ashamed to sit under it, so with a sponge secured by an elastic band on the end of a long pole, he set to work. A lovely job made of it, too.

 Today we took the 11.30 loco to Bala. Met the engine driver, a very nice man called Norman, who just happened to own a narrow boat based somewhere near Wolverhampton (we didn't find out where). Small world ain't it! Anyway, he allowed us both to stand on the foot plate of the loco for a photo.

Wearing Normans cap

Signal box.

Slightly late in leaving (must be on British rail timetable!) we trundled along at a heady 15 mph, past the lake and several small stations before reaching Bala about 30 minutes later. Here we wanted to get off, but there didn't appear to be anything around. Instead, we stayed on to chat to Norman.

Bala Station

Norman changing the points

 During the journey back, another jet flew past. Got this very grainy photo. Can anyone identify it?

Possibly the F 15 Eagle

 

And once back at the site, another aircraft flew past. Blimey, if the landing gear had been down, I'm sure the wheels would have brushed MB's roof! We think this huge transport plane is an Atlas airbus A400 

 

Followed shortly after by this helicopter,

 

 Apparently we are in what is called the Mach Loop.

 This excerpt taken from Shoot Smart

The Mach Loop (also known as the Machynlleth Loop or CAD West among plane spotters) consists of a series of valleys in the United Kingdom in west-central Wales, notable for their use as low-level training areas for fast jet aircraft. The system of valleys lies 8 miles east of Barmouth and is nestled between the towns of Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south, from the latter of which it takes its name. The training area is within the Low Flying Area (LFA) LFA7, which covers most of Wales.
Aircraft which use the training area include Royal Air Force Airbus, A400M, Tornado, Typhoon, Hawk jets and C-130J as well as U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles, F-15E Strike Eagles, F-22 Raptors, and F-35A Lightning II, which are based at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England. 

 

I think these fighter planes come out from RAF Valley on Anglesey, but don't quote me on that. It's the only place I could find on the web.

So tomorrow we leave for Anglesey, the RSPB site South Stack. It's the Puffins I want to see, carrying all those silver fish to feed their young. Weather does not look promising, though, and we now only have 4 days left in Wales. We have to go back to FS on Tuesday, a letter arrived for me at the boatyard about my dental appointment with the orthodontic surgeon. My left wisdom tooth has to be removed and the appointment is for next Wednesday. So not looking forward to that!