Walk to White Rose

 Wednesday 23 November 2022

Morley - White Rose Centre 

Today’s walk would consist of the triumvirate John, Brian and Colin  who rendezvoused at Morley Town Hall for our walk to The White Rose Centre. 

However, we altered the route we were going to take by the side of the railway and chose the less muddy route through the back streets of Morley, taking in St. Mary’s Church which was stricken by fire about 11 years ago, Wide Lane and Dewsbury Road calling in to McDonalds for a well earned lunch which we all enjoyed. We used the huge iPads to order and we were ably assisted by the Customer Service team who wizzed us through the ordering process in no time. They were a credit to McDonalds. 

We then continued along Dewsbury Road until we reached the White Rose Centre where Brian was keen to locate the new Wetherspoons “The Scribbling Mill” and John wanted to see the new ice rink. Both satiated we descended down to the White Rose Centre Bus Station where Brian caught the 201 to Morley and we caught the 201 to Leeds. 

Arriving in Leeds just before 14:45 to catch our respective trains and buses back home. 

Approximate steps today around  9500. 

Another great day out proving you sometimes don't need to travel all that far to achieve greatness and we certainly did that once again today!

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Roundhay Roundup

 Wednesday

16th November 2022.     Roundhay  Roundup 

Today’s adventure was literally a roundup for the Lads as 10 of them gathered at a local Inn situated in the Leeds suburb of Roundhay. The Inn in question was the Roundhay Fox, a rather extensive building that proved to be very busy especially around lunchtime.

However this location was chosen for its close proximity to the home of our dear friend Tim Kearney who was able to make the relatively short journey as he has mobility issues. Along with Tim would be John, Colin, Derek,Brian, Malcolm and Dave plus a guest appearance by John Howarth, Russ Parkinson and Glen Walton. The 10 of us were able to find a couple of suitable tables to sit around and discuss whatever topics took our fancy, mainly they were about the past experiences of working at Thackray’s or any other title it my have had along with the numerous names of former colleagues that were associated with that place. 

Some of the 10 hadn’t seen each other for years, so it was good to have a catch up etc. After a short while we all took a look at the menu and eventually order a meal which we enjoyed as the conversations continued, before we knew it almost 2 hours had passed us bye and the clock on the wall was saying 2 pm .So unfortunately it was off to the bus stop for several of the Lads in order to take the No 12 back towards the city centre and then our respective modes of transport home.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone 

Tempting Temple Newsam

 Wednesday 9 November 2022

Cross Gates - Temple Newsam  

John, Malcolm and Colin  rendezvoused at Leeds City Station on Platform 8D for the 10:54 to Hull alighting at Cross Gates but an increase to the number of carriages would delay the train excessively and we were advised to catch the 11:18 York train on platform 7 which would depart before our intended train. We arrived at Cross Gates @ 11:24 bang on time with our alternative train although we were now 20 minutes behind our intended schedule.  

On exiting Cross Gates we crossed over the road to take Hollyshaw Lane up to The Brown Cow on Selby Road a walk of 20 minutes or so and crossing over to Calton Road and along Elm Walk until we entered the Gate into Temple Newsam. 

The topography at this point was reasonably flat but as we navigated our circular walk it would be quite undulating. 

We chatted to a couple of women from the Roundhay Park area who pointed us towards the medieval  village. 

We then stopped to have our sandwiches and chatted to another couple who were quite effusive about their retirement, he was 74 and his wife a mere 67 who lived in Rothwell and loved being retired. They had a shared accommodation in Los Cristianos which they sold recently to expand their horizons and visit various other resorts. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t find the medieval village of Colton but we did find the hidden temple instead which  John was ever so keen to see. 

We then continued through the park the way we had come and back to the Railway Station at Cross Gates arriving at 14:00 for the 14:33 back to Leeds resulting in over half an hour wait. At this point the heavens opened up but it had stayed off for the most part so we were extremely grateful. 

Arriving back in Leeds just before 14:45 to catch our respective trains and buses back home. 

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Greenfield Gadabout

 Wednesday 2nd. November 2022.             Greenfield Gadabout

Today’s adventure for the Lads was all about the present disruptions to the railway timetable’s, they are causing a considerable amount of anxiety to many passengers non more so than the Lads. However they managed to accomplish their goal, that being making the journey to over the boarder Lancashire and the location of Greenfield.

The journey from Leeds to Huddersfield was on a rather overcrowded train to say the least, once at the station of Huddersfield John, Malcolm ,Colin and Dave had time to gather their thoughts before continuing on to Greenfield some fifty minutes later , eventually reaching their designated station at about 12:15.

From the station it is just a short walk down to the canal, known locally as the Huddersfield Narrow.Their journey would now be taking them in a easterly direction for a distance of about 3 miles or so. The journey alongside the canal gave the Lads some kind of protection from the rather cold and gusty conditions has they enjoyed just being out and about taking in the aspects of the surrounding countryside.

About halfway along this journey a suitable place was found for a couple of the lads to have a bite to eat so to speak, short rest stop over it was time to continue their gadabout not before seeking the advice of some passing person about the local bus services, to our surprise she pulled out a bus timetable from her handbag for us to browse and make a note of our intended schedule, thanking her we now continue on towards Grandpa Greens, a canal side cafe close to the village of Diggle. Time now for a drink and a sandwich, which came in the form of sausages or in Colin’s case Victoria Sponge, either choice was relished with some delight has we sat in comfortably surroundings discussing future adventures etc.

From this location we had to cross over the canal and take the lane into the village of Diggle and locate the bus stop in order to catch the 184 bus that would take us to Huddersfield, we eventually arrived at Huddersfield railway station  at about 15:30 only to find-lengthy delays to several Leeds bound trains.

After almost 40 minutes of confusion and a rather crowded platform 8 we did eventually take a suitable train journey back to our intended destinations.

Upon reflection a very pleasant journey full of twists and turns but nevertheless a great day out.

Cheers Everyone.