Bala steam
A friend escaped the Eisteddfod field for the day and set off for Llyn Tegid and a trip on the Bala Lake Railway. I'd have him down as a culture vulture but let's face it, even culture vultures have to fly the competition-laden nest every now and then.
He was a bit taken aback to see that he and his family were sitting aboard a steam train called "Holy War". Taken aback and slightly disconcerted. I've checked and he's right. No idea why it carries the name but trainspotter or otherwise, you can read about it .
I make a careful leap from that train to the sound of - perhaps we'll call it hissing steam and a heating up in the battle between Carwyn Jones and Huw Lewis for the Welsh Labour leadership. Both were here yesterday, though I didn't manage to catch up with them. I didn't hear Carwyn Jones' speech but like you, I've read about it. it was very well trailed and an event that made its way to the Eisteddfod jungle drums. If you were interested in politics and could make it, you'd probably be there - a fact that has caused some frustration in the Huw Lewis camp.
The line that 'Carwyn Jones is the natural successor to Rhodri Morgan' gains effortless currency, they say, when he's seen giving a speech, care of Cymdeithas Cledwyn, to the Eisteddfod faithful. He doesn't have to say it himself. Their man, though, still has to fight it.
You'll sense some of that frustration in .
No surprise there perhaps but listen to the Labour figures who have ventured to the Bala - amongst them long-standing servants of the party and wise old heads - and you'll hear frustration in their voices too: that they still don't know exactly when Rhodri Morgan intends to stand down. The worry? That instead of using every puff of steam to propel their party towards a General Election they look like losing, they'll have to use their energies to finding a new leader for the party in Wales.
They won't say it out loud perhaps but to those who'll listen, they're saying it with increasing urgency.
I'm Betsan Powys, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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