18c Mostly Clear
Barmouth Viaduct at Sunset 
Llanberis from Penllyn 
Morfa Bychan beach near Porthmadog 
North Wales Calendar 
What is the attraction?
Well, it was a chance to go on Llanberis Lake Railway so our 17-month-old twins could meet Santa Claus/Sion Corn in his grotto on the far side of Llyn Padarn.
We'd booked weeks in advance, knowing it would be a popular trip. It was sold out last year and it was likely to be a popular excursion for families desperate for a break from jostling with hordes of Christmas shoppers.
How to get there?
We drove from Llandudno westwards along the A55 Expressway, through roadworks, to the Llanberis turn-off. Followed the A4244 then the A4086 between scenic mountainsides and before long the town famous for the Electric Mountain was in sight. We took the road which snakes around Llyn Padarn, past the Welsh Slate Museum, to Llanberis Lake Railway car park
Click to launch Google MapWhat did you do?
As sheets of icy raindrops were falling, we got the twins into their buggies pronto and dashed across the car park to the LLR office and café complex. We were 25 minutes early for our 1.25pm train so spent time in the café. Eventually, through condensation-smeared windows, we spotted Santa's train (named Thomas Bach) approaching, crewed by Santa's helpers dressed as elves.
Once it had reached our stop - Gilfach Ddu - we climbed excitedly into our green carriage. Naini and Taidi were with us. Handily, pushchairs fitted under the seats. We settled into the ten-minute, lakeside journey. There were lovely views but but Snowdon (Eryri) was obscured by cloud.
At our stop, Cei Llydan, ('where Santa joined the train from the North Pole'), we disembarked and queued at a hut on the platform. It was Santa's workshop. We spotted a mallet and saws, plus reindeers' hay racks bearing names in English like Prancer, Dancer. Welsh names such as Seren, Meingwt and Corniog were on cards.
Passing through the workshop, we stepped into an adjacent hut: Santa's Grotto. The twins - Cerys and Osian - were a bit bemused by this kind but imposing man.
They listened as he said he enjoyed flying over rooftops on his sleigh. He asked what they wanted for Christmas and we said "a surprise". Helpers fished out presents (a toy train for Osian and doll for Cerys) which were generous and unexpected (Mums and Dads got Thornton's chocolate and Ferrero Rocher). An elf took their photo with Santa: we bought copies for £1.50 each in the café later
Facilities
Toilets with disabled access in the Llanberis Lake Railway car park beside the Welsh Slate Museum
How much did it cost?
Santa Train tickets cost £6 for adults and children over three. It was £2 for under twos. Included free mince pies and mulled red wine in the café. Children enjoyed orange juice and chocolate finger biscuits. Great value
Contact details:
Llanberis Lake Railway, Parc Padarn, Llanberis, LL55 4TY. Tel.: 01286 870549 www.lake-railway.co.uk
Best bit
Seeing Osian's face, mouth agape, as he looked at a gigantic inflatable snowman in the café. And Cerys, playing happily with her unwrapped dolly on the way home as wisps of locomotive steam drifted in through the partly-open carriage windows.
