Saltaire

 Wednesday 29 November 2023

Leeds to Saltaire 

It was to be the 10:26 from Leeds that takes us into Saltaire  today with  four making the direct journey. Brian, Glenn, Derek and Colin. Mark and John would be meeting us on Saltaire Railway Station. 

We arrived in Saltaire at around 10:40 and the group made their way down to the canal travelling West for about 3km before climbing down some steps and crossing over the river to return back to Saltaire by hugging the river using a footpath that passed the Saltaire rowing club with a number of rowers out and about on the river practicing. 

The lads had now covered a distance of 6km and made their way up to The Boathouse Inn a popular eatery adjacent to the river and unusually quiet, probably because of the temperature which had been checked by a local at -0.2°C who was taking readings for his records. He was wearing Russian Combat Fatigues that protected him down to -50°C which are worn by soldiers in the current conflict in the Ukraine. 

We approached the Boathouse and asked for a table for six which we were shown to without further ado. Given the menus we ordered our food and drinks. The setup was perfect with lovely views over the river and Roberts Park. 

We had arrived at the Boathouse Inn at around 12:30 and taking over an hour to consume our Fayre we paid our bills and made our way back to Saltaire Station for our 14:12 train back to Leeds. 

Saying goodbye to John who had a ten minute journey back to Bingley the rest of us catching the train with Mark alighting at Shipley to catch the train to Menston and then a bus back to Otley. 

The remainder all arrived back in Leeds at around 14:32 and we then made our way back to Wakefield, Ossett, Morley and Beeston. 

Another lovely day out and it was great to have a sunny day although bitterly cold!

Meeting at the Mansion

 Wednesday 22nd November 2023.                  Meeting at the Mansion 

Today would see a fun time for the Lads as they gathered at a venue situated in Roundhay Park Leeds. The  Mansion was their target, the meeting was arranged to see their friend and former work colleague Tim Kearney, who they found in good spirit and full of his usual charm and enthusiasm so to speak.

It would be a group of nine that sat around tables in the Mansion enjoying the various conversations whilst  drinking tea or coffee and a bite to eat. They would be Brian, Colin, Dave, Derek, John, Keith, Mark, Russ and of course star of the show Tim. 

Most of the Lads travelling to Roundhay courtesy of the Number 12 bus a journey of just over 20 minutes, a short walk from the bus stop soon found them through the park gates and on towards their meeting place, kicking up the autumn leaves as they strolled along trying to spot squirrels. They met up with Keith and Russ who had travelled by car , Tim was already seated inside, he had been dropped off by his wife they only resided a short distance away from the park.

A bit of rearranged seating took place before we all were settled down and the chatting began, catching up time now with various stories from the past being banded around the table, we became a rather boisterous group at certain points, nevertheless it was good for all concerned.

Almost 2 hours had past before it was time to bid farewell to Tim and the Mansion and begin our various homeward journeys, all with a smile on our faces, especially Tim.

Cheers Everyone for a great day out.

Otley Outing

 Wednesday 15th November 2023.             Otley Outing 

Today’s adventure for the Lads would be a visit to the North Yorkshire town of Otley situated astride the river Wharfe. It would be a group of six that would take a bus ride from the city of Leeds to this old market town. Those catching the X 84 bus would be Derek, Dave, Colin, John, Brian and guest visitor John Emmonds, upon arrival at the bus station in Otley they would be met by Mark, he resides here in Otley and he would be in charge of proceedings for today’s adventure.

First port of call was to a town centre butchers shop to purchase a well renowned pork pie then on to a similar establishment to buy some similar meat products, from here we headed through the town passing a statue of Thomas Chippendale a former resident of the town and on towards the river, it was fast flowing at the moment due to the extreme rainfall over the last few days.

Situated close to the river bridge is a stone sculpture of the famous Wharfedale Press which is of significant importance to the town and surrounding industries.

Once at the riverside we would now follow the pathway that runs along side it , journeying for almost a mile or so enjoying the various group conversations as we strolled along, passing a structure named the Archimedes wheel some form of apparatus built to support the close by paper mill, soon we began our return journey leading us away from the river then join a main road heading back to the town centre.

Situated along this road was our intended destination of the Maypole Fisheries and partake in our lunch time meals, a lovely and pleasing establishment with delightful staff who served us with a most delicious meal.

From the fish restaurant it was a few minutes walk back towards the bus station here in Otley in order to take the 14:45 bus heading for Leeds , a journey time of some 40 minutes. So it was farewell to Mark and thank him for his leadership on today’s adventure as we climbed aboard the X84.

Once back in the city of Leeds , John Emmonds, Dave and John departed the bus leaving the other lads to continue their journey back to the bus station and then their respective onwards travel , John and Dave heading for the railway station and their respective trains etc.

Upon reflection today was a pleasurable experience with great company and friendship, a distance of just over 3 miles covered and the weather was kind to us.

Cheers Everyone.

Selby Meeting

 Wednesday 8th November 2023.             Selby Meeting 

For today’s adventure 4 of the Lads are taking a train journey to the town of Selby in East Yorkshire, famous for its beautiful Abbey and the swing bridge crossing of the river Ouse.

Colin John Glenn and Dave met up at Leeds railway station in order to catch the 10:27 train heading for Hull, this train was running a few minutes late along with a few others this particular morning, a reported landslide between Dewsbury and Ravensthorpe the culprit. However the lads arriving at Selby about 11:00.

After departing the train , John contacted a previous colleague of the Lads ,Glenn Pearson and made arrangements to meet him near the Abbey at about 12:30, which was suitable for him. So from the station here at Selby the gang headed for the canal and walked alongside it for a mile or so before returning and now making their way to the majestic Abbey. 

Once outside the Abbey’s entrance a few minutes passed before our intended visitor arrived, after a formal greeting and handshake the 5 of us headed for a bite to eat. Colin remembered an establishment from a previous visit, it was located in a Department store somewhere in the town, some kind persons soon gave us directions and within a few moments we were inside Wetherells Store and heading for their cafeteria on the first floor. What a pleasing place to have our lunches etc. We had an extensive menu to choose from plus the staff were kind and welcoming to say the least.

As you can imagine it was catch up time for the lads now, as it’s been a while since Glenn Pearson was in our company, he brought his own sense of humour to the table along with his stories of events that took place in what he referred to as J J’s. Almost an hour was spent over lunch before we said goodbye to Glenn has he headed home the rest of us crossed over the road to take a brief look inside the Abbey. What a splendid building adorned with artefacts from bygone times, now with the time approaching 2:20 it was back to the railway station here in Selby and take the 14:35 train back towards Leeds a journey of about 20 minutes. From the station in Leeds it was farewell to each other as we made our respective journeys home. 

Another great day’s adventures with the added bonus of meeting up with Glenn.

Cheers Everyone.

Line up at the Lime Tree

            Line up at the Lime Tree

Wednesday 1st November 2023

The Lads have arranged to meet up in the town of Morley today, the venue is the Lime Tree Bistro. A time of 12:30 as been suggested in order to have a celebratory meal, the Lads walking group as been established in one form or another for over 10 years now, well done.

A decade of adventures have passed the lads bye, far too many to mention, but each and everyone of these escapades as been full of ever lasting memories filled with enjoyment ,laughter and tears to say the least.

So it was a group of nine that gathered at the Lime Tree, those being John, Colin, Brian, Derek, John Howarth, Glenn, Mark , Russ and Dave. Unfortunately Malcolm and Keith unable to attend for medical reasons.

After greeting each other a suitable table was found and then the various conversations began ,

although there was one main topic on the agenda today, besides reminiscing of bygone times a more up to date meeting needs to be sorted out, that of where to have Christmas Lunch etc.

Various venues have been banded about, the Greedy Duck, the Hungry Horse, Riverside Cafe,Pig and Whistle,Shepherds Arms and the Spotted Cow. Quite a selection to choose from.

Eventually the lads managed to narrow it down to just two, Shepherds Arms or Spotted Cow.

Then general consensus of opinion was that we attend the Spotted Cow for Christmas lunch and then visit the Shepherds Arms sometime in January to celebrate John and Dereks birthdays .

A Christmas Lunch menu for the Spotted Cow was found on their website, so John took it upon himself to list what each and everyone of us would like to choose from the menu then pass this list over to Brian who had agreed to make the reservation for us all, good old Brian.

Our lunch time meal here at the Lime Tree was enjoyed in good spirits even though some of us found our meals a little bit overcooked, that fact that we managed to sort out this year’s Christmas lunch was a blessing. 

Good to meet up again and chat about things present and passed, so with time approaching 3:00pm it was farewell to each other until next time, which will be a trip to Selby.

Cheers Everyone.