Riverboat Ride at York

 Wednesday 28th May 2025.              Riverboat Ride at York

For today’s adventure as the title suggests, it would be 8 of the Lads that would experience the pleasure of cruising along the river Ouse that flows through the city of York. Those boarding the riverboat would be Malcolm, John, Derek, Dave, Brian, Colin, Glenn and Mark, all travelling to the city by train from either Leeds or Wakefield. The group all gathering just a few minutes before 11:00 am in the station concourse here in York. 

After a brief moment of discussion etc, the lads set off in the direction of the river embankment and to the Kings Staith where the Riverboats are moored. A suitable craft was about to leave, so it was Ahoy Shipmates has we clambered on board, we took up our vantage point at the stern which gave us great views of the riverbank scenery and the city beyond etc. We cruised along at a steady rate of knots, first heading upstream as far as Clifton Bridge before returning downstream towards the distant Millennium Bridge. As you can well imagine various conversations were taking place between all of us along with the customary wave to fellow travellers on both shore and other water craft, all with good fun and cheers. Some 20 minutes later we had reached Millennium Bridge and our riverboat captain steered us in the opposite direction and headed back towards our mooring point at Kings Staith.

Our cruise lasted just over an hour, so it was about 12:40 when we set foot on dry land again having all enjoyed the experience etc. It was now time to head in search of or lunchtime venue, a couple of options were put to the test, the city was rather crowded with the many visitors to this historic city so accommodating 8 hungry lads proving difficult, we did eventually stumble upon a suitable establishment courtesy of Mark, it was a cafe on the upper floor of an antique emporium that was able to accommodate our gang. We took up our seats and viewed the lunchtime menu, only a small selection of meals to choose from, but nevertheless the young girl was able to satisfy our culinary preferences albeit a rather time consuming chore. 

While we awaited our meals the conversation turned to upcoming events etc and the prospects of being short handed so to speak throughout the month of June due to holiday commitments. Who would steer our adventuress group and lead them in the right direction, the choice is theirs, Ha,Ha.

Now with our lunchtime meal consumed we had decided to take an earlier return train heading homeward bound, so it was back to the station in order to accomplish this, one train leaving before 3:00 pm the other a few minutes after 3:00pm. Luckily for us it was just a light rain shower that was falling as we walked along, the rest of the day had been a little kinder with the odd glimpse of the sun to brighten up the day.

Upon reflection this visit to York was not what we originally intended but nevertheless proved both enjoyable and good fun for all.

Cheers Everyone.

Lovely day in Lancashire

 Wednesday 21st May 2025               Lovely Day in Lancashire 

Today sees our long awaited journey into the Red Rose County of Lancashire and to the particular town of Bury, where we shall participate in a fine dining experience aboard a rail train ride through the local countryside. Our means of getting there will involve a train journey to Rochdale and then a bus ride onto Bury. Once in the town we have to make our way to the venue of the East Lancs Railway Station in order to board our special train. This train is scheduled to leave at 1:00 pm, so it is important that we make this deadline etc.

With our group residing in different locations several options of getting to Rochdale have been discussed and plans formulated, but alas as we have recently experienced they do not often come into fruition, train cancellations, signalling and staffing problems all thrown into the mix causing us Lads a few headaches etc, but nothing we can’t overcome.

However we all eventually reached Rochdale Railway station, but at slightly different times, Derek, Glenn and Dave arriving first followed shortly by John, with Brian, Colin and Mark a fair distance behind. Some of us managed to purchase a drink and a bite to eat from the station cafe, courtesy of a so called younger woman we named Marjorie, who was up to the task of dealing with our usual banter to say the least, good on ya Lass.

Moving on now, it was almost 11:45 as we departed the station and headed just a few steps down to the nearby bus stop and waited for the No 471 bus to arrive, this would ferry us onto Bury which was a good 40 minutes ride away subject to traffic congestion and the like, the bus reached the town of Bury at approximately 12:30 giving us just enough time to walk the short distance to our awaiting train.

At this point we had been notified that due to the extreme hot weather conditions recently our expected Steam Train had been replaced with a Diesel one, a slight disappointment but understandable at this moment in time as there had been several line side fires.

With our tickets to hand we wondered along the platform in search of our designated carriage, which happened to be Coach B. There were quite a few carriages attached to this train but not all for the dining experience, they were just site seeing ones. As you can imagine our coach was suitably fitted out for this fitting occasion, plush wingback seating from a bygone era with adornments to match, all good stuff etc.

The sound of a train whistle and we were on our way , it was a steady progress, giving us all time to take in the wonderful countryside vistas in this particular location, so it was sit back and enjoy a pre dinner drink and soak up the atmosphere. Before not too long our meals began to arrive and were consumed with much delight as we chatted amongst ourselves causing amusement at moments to say the least.

Forty minutes had passed and we had reached our return point the station at Rawtenstall, this now gave us the opportunity to leave the train for a short while and stretch our legs before returning to our seats for the journey back to Bury, with the Engine now transferred to the appropriate end of the train off we set back through the Lancashire countryside.

Arriving back at Bury about 2:45 pm, a few moments were spent deciding what course of action to take next, do we visit the Fusiliers Museum located a few hundred yards away or take the chance and catch an earlier train homewards bound, it was the latter option we chose leaving the visit to the museum for another occasion.

So it was back to the interchange and await the arrival of the 471 bus heading for Rochdale, surprisingly 2 turned up at the same time which proved to be of much delight to those on board the one we chose, ie around of cheers or boos as each one passed each other vying for passengers , almost 50 minutes of bliss as we travelled along.

It was a few minutes after 4:00 pm as we entered Rochdale station and a chance to purchase a drink of some kind before we make the decision to catch whichever train that met our individual requirements, it would be Brian and Mark that left us first has they headed off to Leeds, John followed next heading for Bradford, whilst Colin, Derek, Glenn and Dave caught the train that should take them to Dewsbury.

Hopefully reaching their intended destinations and a successful journey home, but not so for a couple of the Lads, their final stages suffering from cancellations or very long delays etc, pity putting a slight dampener on such a memorable day for all of us concerned. 

Excellent Day Lads.

Newmiller Dam

 Wednesday 14th May 2025.                     Newmiller Dam

Today’s outing for the Lads would see them make a short but sweet visit to this location which is situated on the outskirts of Wakefield. Newmiller Dam is a picturesque place with a plentiful array of woodland to explore, its main attraction is  its lake ,offering  a glimpse of the many wading birds that have taken up residence here. The pathway around this lake giving the lads a rather comfortable and relaxing experience with plenty of opportunities to participate in the various conservations etc.

It would be a group of eight that eventually met up at the Lakeside at about 11:30 these included Mark, John, Colin, Glenn, Derek , Russ, Dave and the pleasant return for Malcolm. Good to see him back in the fold and stretching his legs again, great. 

The weather conditions for this adventure had changed somewhat, the last few weeks have given us plenty of glorious sunshine days to enjoy, but alas today it feels a little cooler, a few of the crew adorned with shorts and tee shirts etc, feeling rather chilly.

It was a steady pace as the lads circumnavigated the Lake and finally made their way to the Beuley Cafe in order to participate in a lunchtime meal, it was just after 12:30 when the lads sat down at a suitable table. Now as ever, the main conversation point was which train would we be catching next week as we venture to the East Lancs Railway for our dining experience aboard a Steam Train, a few options have to be considered, no stress then John.

With our lunches almost consumed, Russ was having to leave at this point, he kindly offered to give anyone wishing for a ride back to the railway station the chance of a lift, surprisingly 4 of the Lads accepted, so it was a rather overcrowded car that headed in the direction of Wakefield. This left Derek, Dave and Glenn pondering what options they have of returning home, simple, catch a bus outside the cafe and do it that way. 

I think we all enjoyed our outing today even though it was short and sweet.

Cheers Everyone.

Nostalgia Day

 Wednesday 7th May 2025.                    Nostalgia Day

Today’s outing for some of the Lads would take them to pastures new so to speak, it would be a significantly nostalgic day for Dave, he has planned this outing, it will take the Lads on a train journey to the South Yorkshire village of Silkstone Common via the town of Barnsley, from there they will join the Trans Pennine Trail and follow it for a distance of about 2miles or so heading for the village of Gilroyd, a location that played a big part in Dave’s younger days etc. 

Those joining him on this venture will be John, Derek, Glenn and Mark, an arrival time at Silkstone Common is scheduled for just after midday. Upon leaving the station the gang now crossed over the main road and headed down Moorend Lane for about a quarter of a mile to reach the Trans Pennine Trail. This is part of the disused goods railway line that ran for miles around this area collecting coal wagons from the various Pits situated nearby. A few yards beyond the trail there is a poignant monument dedicated to 26 young children that tragically lost their lives in a disaster during the early days of coal mining in this location. A few moments were spent here reflecting upon this tragedy, with our thoughts now returned to our task in hand we ventured on along the trail, several other points of interest were recalled by Dave has we took advantage of our surroundings, the open meadows, the peacefulness interspersed with birdsong, wonderful. 

We did eventually find a suitable spot to continue with our picnics after having to cut short a previous earlier attempt due to the coldness of the stone slab monument. This new location was more suitable to our needs and obviously much closer to our intended next stop of Gilroyd.

Once in this village we slowly made our way to the bus stop, this was in order to catch the No 22 c bus that would take us along to Dodworth and the railway station where we can take a train back to the town of Barnsley and then on to Wakefield or Leeds and then our respective journeys home etc.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was a truly nostalgic experience for Dave, memories of bygone times spent in the various locations that we have passed through on this journey

. I know the other Lads have enjoyed this trip and I am so happy to have shared it with them. 

Cheers Everyone