Wednesday 25 October 2023

Leeds to Beverley 

It was to be the 09:54 from Leeds that takes us into Hull today with  five making the direct journey. John, Mark, Glenn, Derek and Colin. 

Sourcing ourselves a table we all quickly settled down to discussed our future plans. 

We made good progress and we’re soon in Hull arriving just before 11:00. 

However, we had a twenty minute wait for our Beverley train that departed on time @ 11:21 arriving in Beverley a little after 11:34. 

Kevin met us at the station and 

took us to the Minster for a good look round. This munificent structure is a joy to behold with beautiful architecture and colourful stained glass windows and a huge font and the friendly Minster staff who made us all entirely welcome. 

Kevin then led us to a fantastic cafe a called “Vanessa’ Delicatessen & Cafe” where we had a fifteen minute wait due to its popularity before the super six were seated but it was well worth the wait all enjoying lovely food that left no room for a sweet that we had fully expected to eat which was sadly impossible after such a hearty meal. We all agreed that Kevin’s choice was 1st Class and our Catering Manager Derek Lee was also full of praise. 

We then made our way to a pub in town as we still had forty five minutes to wait for the 15:26 back to Beverley. This also arrived on time and we were soon back in Hull after a single stop at Cottingham. 

Catching the 16:03 Liverpool train from Hull we were soon back at Leeds and we all took our respective trains and buses to our homes. 

Another lovely day out and it was lovely to see Kevin once again who has been in Beverley now for ten years signifying a similar number of years as the walking group has been together!

 Wednesday 20 October 2023

Leeds to Scarborough 

It was to be the 10:34 that propels us into Scarborough today with just four making the direct journey. John, Mark, Glenn and Colin. Derek unfortunately had an overnight incident with Sandra that prevented his attendance. 

Sourcing ourselves a table we all quickly settled down and discussed our future plans. 

We made good progress and we’re soon in York. Malton and Seamer soon followed arriving in Scarborough @ 11:53. 

We made our way down the main drag turning right on the street where McDonald’s is and coming out just above The Grand and then over the Valley Bridge towards The Clock Cafe where we would relax and chat with a drink and scone looking out over the North Sea with waves rolling in in a soporific panorama. 

Moving on after forty minutes we made our way to the terminus on South Bay and caught the bus (Coachliner) to the South Bay before climbing up to the road that would take us to Scarborough castle. There were a multitude of fantastic views that John captured on the camera it was a hard choice which ones to use.

 

It was a comfortable climb up to the castle but well worth the energy. However, time was pressing on and hunger more than the cost of going in to the drove us on to The Lookout on the Pier for Fish&Chips. Small for three of the lads but John chose massive which he was unable to finish as expected. 

Moving off from The Lookout on the Pier we made our way towards the Funicular Tram that would take some of us up to the Grand area which would allow us to get back to the Railway Station without too much effort. 

Arriving at the station we noticed our 16:48 train would be departing from Platform 2 that was scheduled to get us back to Leeds around 18:04 but due to a ten minute delay at York it actually arrived at 18:15. 

We all departed to get our respective trains and buses to our dwellings after a lovely day in Scarborough with the sun shining most of the day with a modicum of wind but thankfully we were not effected by Bibet in anyway. 

Memorial Walk

 Monday 2nd October 2023.                    Memorial   Walk

Today would see the Lads take a trip to Golden Acre Park, a picturesque setting on the northern edge of Leeds. The occasion was to remember or dear friend Eddie Hampshire, it’s been 4 years since he sadly died, the park was one of his favourite locations to visit, so as a mark of respect it would be a group of 8 former friends and colleagues that would participate in a leisurely stroll along the various paths that take you through this park land area, all the while reminiscing the many moments we all spent in his company.

A time of 10:15 was suggested for some of the Lads to meet at Leeds railway station, then walk the few hundred yards to a convenient bus stop in order the catch the X84 bus heading for the park, on board this bus already would be Colin and Brian, it would be John , Derek and Dave that joined them, Mark journeying by bus from a different direction, whilst Keith and Donald came by car.

We all met a few minutes after 11am at the entrance to the park, briefly say hello to each other before we all began our journey off in the direction of the bird hide located in a particularly forested area of the park.

Different conversations ensued with one another as we split into small groups , catch up time now for some members of the group, eventually we all gathered around a newly carved out statue of a rather over sized kingfisher bird which was spotted upon our journey to the bird hide. A photo opportunity was taken with this particular object before moving on to the bird hide , once inside this hide a few moments of quiet reflection where observed in remembrance of our dear departed friend Eddie.

Some several minutes later we began our return journey back in the direction of the park cafe and enjoy a nice cuppa and cake whilst sat outside discussing plans for the upcoming adventures etc. As the clock moved on to almost 1 o’clock it was time to say farewell to Golden Acre Park and begin our respective homeward journey.

A poignant day was had by all.

Thanks Everyone