The Greenway Walk

 Wednesday 26th November 2025.          The Greenway Walk

Today’s adventure for the Lads would take them to the market town of Ossett, a location on the outskirts of Wakefield. Once there they will stretch their legs with a leisurely stroll through the market square picking up a bite to eat on their way before joining the Greenway pathway that would eventually lead them to the outer reaches of Dewsbury.

It was a cold start to the morning, but with clear skies and a pleasant amount of sunshine it was great to be out there enjoying the fantastic views.It was  John, Derek, Brian, Colin , Dave, Glenn and Mark that ambled along engrossed in various conversations as they made their way.

They had all met up at the bus terminal in Ossett at about 11:15 making their way there by either bus or train or a combination of both. It was well after 1pm when they reached the towpath of the canal basin in Dewsbury, their intention was to have a lunchtime meal at the Leggers Pub situated close to the canal, unfortunately a notice board telling them that no food was available at that present time came as a disappointment, so after a few minutes consultation plan B was put into action, so it was off to a Cloggs cafe in the town centre just over half a mile away. 

This proved to be a good decision as the lads all agreed, the food was great and so of cause was the banter that took place at our table. Now with 2:15pm approaching it was time to consider which bus or train they would be catching in order to head homeward bound, John, Brian and Mark heading for the train station, the rest of us off to the reconfigured bus station and try to locate our appropriate bus.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was full of enjoyment with an invigorating lift to our wellbeing.

Cheers Everyone.

Visit to the NRM at York

 Wednesday 19th November 2025.             NRM visit York

Today would see 9 of the Lads journeying to the city of York and experience a visit to the National Railway Museum. Those participating would be Colin, John, Brian, Mark and John Howarth travelling by train from Leeds , whilst Derek , Glenn, Dave and Russ had decided to make their train journey from Wakefield.

They eventually all Gathered inside the foyer of the museum at around 11:20 after what seemed to be a much longer distance covered than previously experienced when walking from the city railway station to the museum.

It was a cold and chilly morning with overnight frost and sleet beginning to melt away underfoot conditions proving an obstacle at times etc. However we were soon inside the vast hallways and beginning our visit, somehow there seemed to be more exhibits on display that encouraged a more closer investigation as to their individual histories and background stories, great insight etc.

After a brief glimpse of some of the fantastic steam engines gathered here it was time for a coffee break for some of the gang, plus a bite to eat before continuing our leisurely pursuit of this fantastic array of railway memorabilia. The rest of us decided to have lunch a little later across in the newly opened Station Hall just a short distance away from the Main Hall, this was about at 1 o’clock.

Yet again this new venue gave us much more to see about the different types of passenger carriages that had been constructed in different eras of the railways existence, magnificent displays.

Now with our lunches consumed and our various conversations still ringing in our ears it was off to the station here in York to take our respective onward train journeys homeward bound, we all eventually said farewell to the city around 3 pm.

2

What a great days experience, throughly enjoyed by everyone.

Cheers Lads.

Glenn’s Birthday Bash

 Wednesday 12th November 2025.             Glenn’s Birthday Bash

Today would see 9 of the Lads take a trip to the Whitelocks Pub, this is located in Turks Yard in the City of Leeds, a home from home for most of them. A meeting time of midday as been suggested, a few of us arriving early, namely Brian, John, Derek, Dave and birthday boy Glenn, the rest drifting in as and when , those being Colin, Keith, Mark and finally Russ.

A suitable place had been reserved for us by Mark, as this venue can become rather busy at lunchtime etc due to its popularity and quaint atmosphere. 

Once assembled and formal greetings over we began to study the lunchtime menu and eventually order our chosen meals and drinks, as per usual the various conversations were struck up around our table, main topic being the performance of the local football team, United, other things did get discussed as the afternoon wore on and our meals were consumed. 

Time always seems to fly when you are wrapped up with jovial banter etc and soon it became time to wish Glenn a happy birthday as we sang the celebration song along with others in the Whitelocks enjoying similar circumstance. Great Stuff as a big cheer went up for all concerned.

By now it was approaching 2pm, so we steadily paid our individual tallies and said farewell to this atmospheric venue and began to make our ways homeward bound etc.

Yet Another Great Day out with the Lads.

Cheers Everyone.

Roundhay Park plus visiting Tim Kearney

 Wednesday 5th November 2025.   Roundhay Park plus visiting Tim Kearney 

As the title suggests the Lads coordinated a visit to see their dear friend Tim Kearney at the Mansion along with a leisurely walk through Roundhay Park and Gardens etc. It was a pleasant morning as 6 of the gang alighted from the No 12 bus at the terminus close to the far entrance to the park, those being Colin, Glenn, Derek, Brian, Dave and John, the time was just a few minutes after 11:00am.

Derek and Colin making their way to the Mansion while the rest of us took a walk around the Canal Gardens and admire the tree stump carvings along with the many species trees showing their autumn colours etc, splendid.

A time of 11:30 had been arranged to meet up with Tim, so by this time Derek and Colin were inside the Mansion along with Russ and we soon joined them as we assembled ourselves around three pushed together tables, some few minutes later Don Alexander came and added another person to our group.

Our visit to see Tim lasting well over an hour and a half, with plenty of conversations taking place around the table as we sat and consumed our sausage sandwiches and various drinks etc.

Don kindly offered to give Tim a lift home in his car, Russ also leaving by car, the rest of us now venturing a little further down through the park and on towards the other entrance gate close to the far end of the lake, plenty of autumn leaves were scattered along the footpath as we walked along, eventually we arrived at the bus stop with only a few minutes to wait for the arrival of a suitable bus to take us back to the city centre in order to take our respective journeys home. It was a few minutes after 2 o’clock by now.

What a good time we all had today, plenty of laughs with long discussions about this, that and the other, great stuff.

Cheers Everyone.