A Brief Encounter at the 509

 Wednesday 24th January 2024.               A Brief Encounter at the 509

Today’s adventure for the Lads was a rather brief visit to Outwood and partake in a celebratory lunch time meal. The occasion John and Dereks Birthdays.The venue would be at the renowned 509 Cafe situated on the corner of the high street in the village.

A meeting time of midday was suggested with Colin John and Mark arriving by train from Leeds , while Dave and Glenn took the train from Sandal/Agbrigg. It was just a short walk from the railway station to the Cafe .Derek came by bus , Keith and Russ by the means of their own transport etc. 

Eventually we all managed to get seated at a window side table ,due to arriving at slightly different times for one reason or another . So before not too long the waitress took our individual orders and we were soon enjoying their delights. Various conversations ensued now with the main topic being what is planned for our upcoming outings. Listening to each and everyone’s views about these events etc, Ten Pin bowling in Leeds a walking outing near Addingham and an upcoming visit to Liverpool , other topics were discussed as well , Leeds United match with Norwich and the Fulham Liverpool game.

With our lunchtime meal over and the re appearance of Colin’s cap, we slowly retreated from the 509 parting company with just five of us heading back towards the railway station here in Outwood 

Upon reflection today’s outing was far too brief, should have had at least another cuppa!and spent a little more time together.

Cheers Everyone 

A visit to Middleton Woods

 Wednesday 17th January 2024.                   A visit to Middleton Woods

As the title suggests ,today’s outing for the Lads would be a journey to a locality known as Middleton Park Woods an area steeped in history and knowledgeable facts, but today their visit is just a pleasurable one. Some points of history were noted as the group of six trudge around the expanse of woodland.

It would be Colin, John , Brian, Derek , Dave and Mark that would gather outside what is known locally as Tommy Wass’s , now a public house but in days gone by it was a farmers homestead  inhabited by yes you guessed Tommy Wass.

A time of 11am was agreed, so each of the lads making their own way to the meeting point. It was a pleasant sunny morning with quite a chilly feel, overnight temperatures below freezing had left the underfoot conditions treacherous, so it was steady has you go Lads. From the nearby bus stop it was just a short but slippery uphill journey via Gipsy Lane to a rear entrance into the Park, Colin , Brian and John adding their own personal memories of this location from their early years growing up here.

Our uphill journey continued for a while before we found ourselves in a Woodland setting and eventually came across a more permanent footpath or roadway with a few signposts scattered along the way depicting various areas of the woodland you could visit, our intention was to advance towards the small lake and the nearby Cafe and information centre which we eventually did having met an acquaintance of Colin on our way.

It was about 12:20 when we found ourselves seated in the cafe and beginning to enjoy our drinks and various sandwiches etc. With upcoming adventures the main topic of discussion has we sat and rested our bodies for a while longer. Some 40 minutes later we left the warmth of the cafe and continued our uphill journey towards the main entrance to the park and on towards a nearby bus stop, hopefully taking us back in the direction of Tommy Wass’s , But this was to be not so, instead we took the 12A bus on a more leisurely and lengthy journey around the area of Belle Isle finishing up outside the Corn Exchange in the centre of Leeds. It was from here that we now continued our respective routes homeward bound.

Upon reflection today’s outing was most pleasurable and full of fun and excitement.

Cheers Everyone.

Morley Meandering's

 January 10th. 2024.                     Morley  Meanderings

For the second outing of this new year, some of the Lads have decided to stretch their legs and blow a few cobwebs away by participating in a shortish walk from the centre of the town of Morley down towards the White Rose shopping centre and visit the establishment of the Scribbling Mill, a J D Wetherspoon outlet.

It will be John, Colin, Brian and Dave that will meet up near the town hall in Morley about 11am. From there they will begin their journey heading up the High Street then turning left in the direction of Peel Street passing on their way buildings of some significance from days gone by.

The town of Morley covers quite a large area and is full of interesting observations to say the least, once outside the Miners Arms and beyond the lads now descended the many steps taking them towards the railway station region, at the present time under reconstruction for some unknown reasons, however the lads carried on heading downwards eventually finding the pathway leading through scrubland and finally into open fields, the underfoot conditions at some points proving rather treacherous and muddy, the open field footpaths ran close to the railway line with a few transpennine trains passing us by as we struggled along.

Eventually we reached a desirable pathway of better construction leading us to the outer limits of the White Rose Centre and a few minutes later found us off the pathway and over the road heading towards our intended destination not before giving our boots a good cleaning etc.

Once inside the Scribbling Mill we eventually found a suitable place to sit , the place was somewhat rather busy and we were a few minutes ahead of schedule, Derek had arranged to meet up with us at 12:45 it was now 12:30 John called Derek to let him know fortunately he had arrived early so before we knew it he had joined us. Meals and drinks were now ordered and then the chattering began, discussing this that and the other about upcoming outings etc. Weather was the main topic and how it may affect our future plans. With our meals consumed and some sort of plan B in our heads it was off to the bus terminal here at White Rose and take our respective bus journeys homeward.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was good fun with great company and the weather didn’t spoil our enjoyment.

Cheers Everyone 

 Wednesday 3 January 2024

Roger Wadman Revisited 

It was to be the 10:21 from Leeds that takes John and  Colin into Wakefield today. The usual Plymouth train being cancelled. The fifteen minute walk up to the bus station from WESTGATE where we would meet up with John Howarth, Glenn and Derek before we set off for Sainsbury’s for flowers and Chocolates for Madi. We successfully made our purchase and set off for Sycamore Care Home where Keith and Russ were waiting. 

We all signed in and we were then taken down to meet Roger. 

Roger was having his dinner as we arrived and we all got settled down with cups of either tea or coffee in the beautiful care home. 

We enjoyed a tremendous spread of sandwiches, samosas, Bhaji’s  and cakes that were absolutely delightful. 

It was getting time to leave around 14:00 so we all made our ways back to Wakefield, Ossett, Bingley, Morley and Beeston. 

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