Out and about near Outwood

 Wednesday 1st. December 2021.         Outwood Adventure 

Today’s adventure for the Lads turned out to be a brief encounter at the Lofthouse Colliery Nature Park. This location is situated on the outskirts of Wakefield, close to the railway station at Outwood, so an easy place to get to. A rendezvous time of 11:00am was agreed and fulfilled with journeys by both train and car to Outwood. None of the Lads have been to this location before although they have passed close bye the area upon their numerous train journeys . A not too favourable weather forecast is predicted for this outing, so best foot forward Lads and off we go.

After leaving the station it’s just a short distance to the trackside pathway that will lead the them on to the beginning of the the nature park, first point of interest is the memorial structure that as been placed in memory of the miners who sadly lost their lives here at the local coal mine of Lofthouse. After a few moments of respect the Lads ventured on not knowing what lay before them. It soon became apparent that several pathways could take their adventure in different directions, they decided to stay on what they thought was the perimeter footpath, a few encounters with dog walkers didn’t give the Lads any clues, so on they ventured, by this time an heavy shower of rain was falling , so maybe time to take cover if only for a couple of minutes till it passed over. From this point a different direction was decided upon, the Lads had no idea as to where they were heading, then all of a sudden they realised they had almost covered a rather limited circular route of the park and where only a few hundred yards from the railway station they had previous left an hour before. A suggestion was now made to visit a nearby cafe and have either a coffee break or something more substantial, the latter was agreed upon.

 So off to Cafe 509 about 10 minutes walk away, what a lovely and pleasant surprise lay a head of the Lads, it was only a small roadside establishment but served the Lads with a truly tremendous meal , enjoyment to the fullest was had by all. Thanking the staff as they left the Lads now headed back towards the station at Outwood and take their various modes of transport to their respective homes.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers.