Museum of Science and Industry

 Wednesday 26th February.                     Museum of Science and Industry 

For their last outing in February, seven of the Lads have chosen to pay a visit to the city of Manchester and explore what this museum has to offer them. So it will be Brian, John, Colin and Mark catching the 10:40 train at Leeds whilst Derek, Dave and Glenn would be getting on board at Dewsbury. It proved to be a rather crowded train with seating coming at a premium so to speak. So we traveled to Manchester residing in different carriages communicating by mobile phones. The train eventually reaching Manchester Piccadilly about 10 minutes before midday, it was now a short walk along the platform and through the main concourse of the station heading for the route 1 city free bus that would take us virtually to the main entrance of the museum, a journey of about 15 minutes or so.

Once off the bus we immediately went to the cafeteria area and purchased a lunchtime snack, this was consumed while we sat deep in various conversations about upcoming events etc. About 40 minutes was spent mulling things over before we eventually entered the main building and began to explore the various artefacts that were on display, relics of the industrial past were laid out before us giving us the opportunity to absorb much information about a bygone era. 

A pity the Cotton Weaving Machinery display was unable to have been put through its paces on this occasion, we had been looking forward to this event. However a museum’s member of staff was quite pleased to engage with us about several topics relating to the Cotton Trade industry here in Lancashire.

We now moved on to the floor above and discovered what could be described as a fun zone etc, this gave us a chance to test our various skills and memory in completing said tasks, a steady hand and a good eye required for these exercises was the order of the day.

We had spent just over two hours exploring the museum before the decision to leave was considered, so after a brief visit to the gift shop and a photo opportunity, we found ourselves at the nearby bus stop and waiting to take a ride back in the direction of Piccadilly Railway Station. The bus ride this time taking a different and lengthy route through the streets of Manchester, due to this we were unable to catch the 14:58 train back in the direction of Leeds etc.

A few moments of confusion now ensued, which alternative train do we catch, whilst trying to purchase a cup of coffee! Looking up at the large information board it’s display gave us a couple of choices, the 15:30 going only as far as Huddersfield and then a change for Leeds, or wait for the 15:58 direct to Leeds calling at Dewsbury. We opted for the Huddersfield one, only to find out that the platform information display showing it was running 20 minutes late. What do we do! we left platform 1 and gathered at the main display board only to find that the 15:58 train had been switched to leaving from a different station due to a points failure , oh oh Colin was on his way to platform 14, Derek had gone for a coffee! John contacted Colin to inform him of the change and several calls were made to Derek to hurry him up as the Huddersfield train had arrived ahead of schedule and was about to leave, he just made it back in time as the train doors were about to close for the last time.

As we all managed to get seated next to one another, you can only imagine what conversation now took place as the train travelled on to Huddersfield. Once this destination had been reached it was time to checkout our various onward connections etc. Everyone eventually taking the right option.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was a little bit fraught at times, but this all added to the experience of being out with the Lads .

Cheers Everyone for Participating and having Fun.

Canal side Walk

 Wednesday 19th February 2024.         Canal side Walk in Leeds

On a rather cold morning it would be just 4 of the Lads that embarked on this journey alongside the Leeds to Liverpool Canal. After meeting up at the railway station here in Leeds at around 10:30, it was Colin , Brian, Mark and Dave that braved the elements and put their best foot forward along the towpath heading in the direction of Cardigan Fields, a shopping outlet close to Kirkstall, a distance of about 3 miles or so. 

 

A few other brave soles were out and about as we journeyed along the odd jogger and bike rider, not too many dog walkers though maybe they knew the rain was coming and so it did about just over halfway to our intended destination, as you can well imagine it became rather unpleasant for a short while. We eventually reached the commercial outlet at Cardigan Fields only to find it rather busy, lots of half term visitors taking advantage of what this location as to offer. Our intention was to have a lunchtime meal at Pizza Express, that proved to be a bad choice, it was rammed and a 50 minute wait time , so it was over the road to a quiet looking establishment named Bridgewater Arms. No too many people in here , so we found a table and ordered our meals, time to take off our wet coats and relax. Our conversation now was what are we planning for next week, the idea of a visit to Ribblehead was put forward, weather permitting and of course is it everyone’s choice etc.

With our relatively mediocre meals consumed it was off to a nearby bus stop and take our respective journey homewards bound, Mark headed one way the rest of us the other.

Upon reflection today’s outing was a cold and wet experience, nevertheless it was good to be out with the Lads enjoying our time together as we always do.

Cheers Everyone .

York Railway Museum

 Wednesday 12th February 2025.           York Railway Museum 

A slight change of plan today, even without the guidance of our leader! He’s away sunning himself. So it was down to Colin, Derek, Brian, Dave and Glenn to guide themselves to York instead of walking around Newmiller Dam, cold and inclement weather the main reason for this change. So with all mentioned they climbed aboard the 10:30 train leaving Leeds and heading for the city of York. 

Some 40 minutes later and they were off the train and on their way to the museum just a few hundred yards from the station here in York, with a outside temperature of about 4 degrees it was a relief to get inside the building and explore the grand array of Railway Engines and the many thousands of exhibits on display. The Lads were greatly impressed with the sheer size of some of the Engines , the Evening Star one of the last to be built stood there in all her glory looking spectacular in her Green livery and gleaming copper pipe work, a little hot for Colin and Derek to touch, ouch!

The lads continued their inspections with a climb aboard the Bullet Train and rest awhile whilst watching a video about it’s inception out in Japan, Colin had been fortunately lucky enough to have experience a ride on one of these impressive trains whilst on one of his overseas trips, lucky fellow!

Moving on now and time for a spot of lunch which was taken here in the food hall alongside a few other visitors to the museum, spiced tomato soup and a sandwich was the order of the day for the Lads.

Chance now to discuss future adventures and outings, a visit to Scarborough maybe on the horizon, but second thoughts were given to this. Tim’s visit having to be put on hold for a few weeks, a decision to take a canal side walk in Leeds next week was agreed upon, weather permitting.

With lunch over it was time to discover more of what the museum had to offer and what a lot there was to see. Interesting signalling video and displays about the significance of this rather intricate mechanism and how it as progressed over the years, from waving flags to the modern day fibre optic cables that stretched the length and breadth of the country, impressive to say the least.

Time now for a cuppa before we said farewell to the museum and headed back towards the railway station, our train returning us to Leeds is due to depart at 15:08 platform 11.

Upon reflection today’s outcome was rather interesting and informative a great experience had by all involved.

Cheers Everyone.

Saltaire to Bingley

 Wednesday 5th February 2025.          Saltaire to Bingley 

It’s their first outing in February this year and the Lads have chosen to stretch their legs with a canal side walk between the West Yorkshire towns of Saltaire and Bingley, a distance of about 3 miles or so.

Derek, Dave, Brian and Glenn would be taking the 10:26 Skipton train departing from Leeds arriving at Saltaire station some twenty minutes later, there to meet them would be John and Mark. A quick hello to all and soon they were on their way, first port of call a rather brief visit to the Victoria Hall, this proved to be a splendid adorned building a relic of Titus Salt, from here it was on to another of his impressive construction that of Salts Mill , today it is the home of many examples of local artist David Hockney’s work. They spent about 40 minutes admiring the artwork on display before venturing down towards the canal and follow the recently restored toe path in the direction of nearby town Bingley, a brief moment was now spent at the local attraction of the 5 rise locks, constructed in bygone days to facilitate the movement of narrow boats along this particular stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal , a great fete of engineering. 

With the time at almost 1:00 pm the lads now headed for their lunchtime meal venue, on this occasion it would be at the Loft, a pleasant and cosy little cafe situated on the high street here in Bingley, John had pre booked us a table, this proved to be a good call as it was rather busy to say the least. Once seated we now began to make our choices from the rather extensive menu along with a drink of our taste. It wasn’t too long before our meals were served and we relished them with gusto whilst chatting about future outings etc. We spent just over an hour in the comfort of the Loft cafe before making our exit, it was now on towards the railway station here in Bingley and catch the next train heading towards Leeds.

 

It was due in about 15 minutes, so we spent a short while in the waiting room getting up to mischief with our renditions of Doe Ray Me much to the delight of the other passengers. Time to bid farewell to John and wish him well for his upcoming holiday the rest of climbing aboard the 14:36 and heading homeward bound, first to leave the train was Mark at Shipley , the rest continued on to Leeds .