Blog

Wednesday  5 January 2022

Harewood Grounds Circular. 

It was a freezing cold morning as Brian, John and Colin assembled for their first sortie  of 2022 around the grounds of Harewood House estimated to be approximately 5 Miles with lots of inclines to keep the old circulatory system pumping. 

We rendezvoused in Leeds City Bus Station at 10:40 in time to buy our lunch from Greggs before catching the 10:55 No. 36 to The Harewood Arms where we alighted at 11:40 and made our short way to Church Lane and past the Muddy Boots Café on our way to the park entrance. 

The weather was extremely cold with a biting wind and the sun was as yet not shining through which meant a brisk walk was required to keep us all warm. 

The views were spectacular looking across the park with a viaduct standing out in the distance encapsulated in glorious sunshine which we had yet to feel the benefit of. 

It was now approaching 12:30 and hunger was upon us and passing the bridge where we had last eaten pork pies that Eddie had bought from Castleford Market. We reminisced about that very day but decided not to stop until sunshine was in our grasp. A little further on we found the exact spot where we consumed our repast in glorious sunshine. 

We then continued our journey passing through another gate by the holiday cottages and commenting on how good it was to be out once again and achieving the simple task of putting one foot in front of the other making us feel that what we were doing was the right thing to do. 

We shortly came to the woods and climbed gently up the path eventually taking a left turn that ran adjacent to the Emmerdale estate which we followed until we exited the woods and began the long haul back towards the A61 and our bus back to Leeds. The bus arrived at 14:03 only a minute behind schedule so pretty good arriving safely back into Leeds at around 14:40. 

Brian and John alighting on Vicar Lane for their respective journies back to Morley and Bingley respectively. 

Colin continued back to Leeds City Bus Station to return to Beeston with over 8000 steps and around 12,000 for John. 

We missed the lads that didn’t venture with us but as we learn to live with this pandemic we could all be back together very soon. 

Another great day out proving over and over again you don’t need to travel far to enjoy yourselves!

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Colin Hendrick Ward