Scarborough Fair

 Wednesday 25th May 2022.               Scarborough Fair

Today’s adventure for the Lads got off to a slightly traumatic start, their original train journey aboard a train heading to Scarborough via York was cancelled, an early morning message was conveyed to Dave’s mobile phone 7:15 . Quick action was now required to let the other lads know about this situation, John was the first to react with the suggestion that we could take the 9:27 train from Leeds, so it was a rather hurried dash for him to get to Leeds in time, in the meantime Dave let Derek know what had happened, but unfortunately for him there was insufficient time for him to react , as for Colin it was a much easier task. So John , Colin and Dave met at platform 14A just in time to board the now straight through Train to Scarborough. When the ticket inspector  person arrived it was down to John to explain the unfortunate situation that had happened to us, he was very understanding and wished us a pleasant journey. The train ride to the east coast resort was now more relaxed and enjoyable on board a six carriage loco with less than fifty passengers to share it with.

Upon arrival at Scarborough ,Alan was there to greet us with his sun tanned smile and asked what our plans were for the rest of the day , first thing was to head for breakfast, this was enjoyed courtesy of Lil and her husband at their small establishment in the vaults situated under the indoor market hall.

We took advantage of some outdoor seating soaking up the morning sunshine, which hadn’t been predicted, hence the Scarborough Fair Title, the rest of the day here in the resort was also bathed in sunshine from time to time although we did experience a rather gusty wind as we walked along Marine Drive heading for the North Bay, a nice cuppa was drank at a small roadside cafe in this location before three of us took the opened top bus back towards the centre, getting off near the Harbour Bar

 

establishment were John treated us all to a Peach Melba, yum yum. Alan missing out on this treat although he did rejoin us for our journey back along the seafront and eventually back towards the railway station , taking in a Tramway ride along our way. A decision to catch a earlier train back to Leeds was agreed upon and that would be the 15:35 from Scarborough to York and then boarding the Plymouth bound train stopping at Leeds, this is indeed what ensued, John again doing his best to convince the ticket inspectors of our predicament and getting the thumbs up for his explanation’s, we did eventually arrive back in Leeds a few minutes after 6 o’clock that afternoon, from here we all took our respective journeys home.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone.

Super Settle

 Blog

Thursday 19 May 2022

Settle Circular River, Mill Pond  and Countryside walk.

Super Settle

It was an overcast morning as Colin boarded the 10:49 at Leeds bound for Carlisle on our way to Settle. 

John would board the train at Bingley where we both alighted at Settle at a round  11:50.  

Only John and Colin for today’s saunter around the Town of Settle as Dave was unavailable for today’s walk. 

We followed the walk as described on the board at Network Rail’s Settle Station and travelled down by the river crossing major roads, sty’s and fields and passing Settle AFC on the way. 

We chatted to a couple from Chorley who were coming in the opposite direction and they  assured us we were on the right track. 

We continued along roads and past a pair of stone cottages,  country lanes, over bridges and eventually through a working industrial mill that would eventually lead back into Settle. 

We had met a few people en route and one couple who we chatted to towards the end took us to their house and showed us where they lived in palatial settings having moved there sixteen years ago from Methley it was absolutely beautiful in gorgeous settings with rolling hills all around. 

We soon found the ginnel they had told us about which was a short cut into Settle passing the fish shop then crossing over the main road until we came upon The Naked Man Cafe. Ordering lunch I ordered a warm beef baguette with onions and an Eccles Cake with a latte and John ordered Canapés and Caviar with French Fries. He tried to order blancmange but they had just sold the last one to Lord Bingley of Settle so he opted to have nothing. 

We then made our way next door to the ice cream parlour for two rum and raisin ice creams which were delicious and we sat outside to finish them off. 

We then set off back to Settle Station to wait for the 16:28 back to Leeds. 

We then chatted to a lovely couple who were on holiday from South Wales and travelling to Kendal to finish off their delightful holiday. John and Colin both recommended the east coast to them and Ravenscar to Robin Hood’s Bay as a starter. 

The train was on time with John eventually alighting at Bingley at 17:13. 

Arriving back in Leeds at 17:40 Colin was able to catch the 17:50 from Trinity back to Beeston arriving home at around 18:10. 

It was a lovely walk today and  on reflection we felt it well worth a revisit at some point in the future covering around 9000 steps, approximately 5 miles in two hours. 

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Waterfalls Walk

 Wednesday 4th May 2022                  Waterfalls Walk

For today’s adventure 3 of the lads have decided to take a visit to the town of Bingley and explore a local scenic attraction, that of Goit Stock Waterfalls in the so-called hidden valley. This location is just a few miles from the centre of the town, getting there was all planned out by our tour master for the day John. Colin and Dave would be joining him has he awaited their arrival at Bingley Railway Station, at a time of a few minutes before 11am. It was a quick departure from the station in order to catch the 616 bus that would take the lads up through nearby woodland and on to the outskirts of Wilsden.

 

From here they would take the roadside pavement following the B6144 for about a mile or so, which was a steady incline, before branching off down Bents Lane which would take them in the direction of the hidden valley and Bents Mill , a recently modified old cotton mill complex turned into holiday apartments. The countryside views as we descended Bents Lane were somewhat fantastic, even on a dull and showery morning ,didn’t spoil our enjoyment and the peacefulness that exist here in this location.

Upon arriving at Bent’s Mill and with the owners permission we were able to place ourselves at a located picnic table and consumed our lunches, nice setting created in wonderful gardens by the riverside. From this point the next few hundred yards of our journey would prove to be quite challenging to say the least, our sense of balance and sure footedness would be put to the test, along with a helping hand from John we continued our journey.

We were close to the river as it cascaded  downwards through this wooded valley strewn with rock formations from a bygone time, just wonderful to see and here, even though this was a treacherous part of our adventure it was well worth the experience,

eventually we reached relative safety  and a more easy walkway, the next part of our journey took us along a tarmac Lane and eventually to the location of the Malt Shovel Pub situated by the main road and a place where we were able to catch a bus back towards the town of Bingley, by this time the sun had managed to break through the clouds for more than a few moments and was now quite pleasant as we boarded the 616 bus. Some 15 minutes later we were back in Bingley and found ourselves heading for the Ice Cream Parlour situated in the pleasant surroundings of Myrtle Park, here we sat and watched a game of crown green bowling whilst consuming our delightful purchases, yum yum.

With the time approaching 2:45 it was a just a short distance back to the railway station here in Bingley in order to board the 15:08 back to Leeds, bidding farewell to John and thanking him for organising this adventure, Colin and Dave now jumped aboard a rather crowded train. Once back in the city the lads took their respective journeys home.

Upon reflection today’s adventure of almost 5 miles was full of thrills and spills ,literally, treacherous at some points but so much well worth the effort if only for the memories created .

Cheers Lads.