Zap and we’re off to York

 Wednesday 13th April 2022.               Yonder York

For today’s adventure the lads have suggested a trip to the city of York, Yorkshires capital. They intend to take the so called Zap bus , starting point at Leeds bus station, stand 22 at approximately 10:30. It will be a group of 5 who will descend on this ancient city and explore its virtues, they being Derek, Dave, Colin, Brian and last but not least Our leader John. Quite a few passengers where hopefully expecting to board the 10:30 bus , we did eventually all find room for ourselves sat in luxury leather seats speeding off to York. A journey time of about 50 minutes was expected, this is a limited stop service, so it was settle down and enjoy the ride. The lads commandeered the back of the bus and were engrossed in various conversations as the bus trundled along ,feeling rather chilly with the fresh air on their faces , reason a few of the ventilation windows were open wide , so action was taken to close one of them to create a more pleasing atmosphere. The bus  eventually arrived outside York railway station at about 20 past 11 , this is were the lads along with a few other passengers bid farewell to the driver and thanked him for his services. 

What was the plan of action now Lads, a few suggestions were banded about, but their previous thoughts were to take a riverside walk to the Millennium bridge and back and this is indeed what took place but firstly it was off to the City Walls and experience a few hundred yards of its prime vantage point . Leaving the Wall footpath by means of a steep set of stone steps ,the lads now found themselves at ground level and making their way towards the river  embankment and the walkway that would eventually lead to the  Millennium bridge ,

a point at which the lads took a break from walking and participated in a hastily organised so called picnic? Sandwiches consumed it was now about turn and head back towards the city following the river on which a few small pleasure boats were bobbing around on as the made their way back and forth. Yet again various conversations taking place as we ambled along, up-to now there was a chilly feel to the day , in fact a few spots of rain were felt on our faces, where is the sunny and much more warmer weather that was forecasted, it did eventually arrive but that was at a point when we had to leave the city behind us. In the meantime a decision had been made not to go and explore the newly renovated Clifford Tower ,

instead we made our way to a McDonalds restaurant situated near to the Minster in the heart of the city and participate in consuming apple pies and ice cream, yum yum.

 

The streets in the city centre were quite busy with the hustle and bustle of the many shoppers and tourists during the build up to Easter. Now with the time approaching 2:15 pm it was a short distance back to the bus stop in order to catch the returning Zap bus back to Leeds, once back in this city it was farewell to each other take our respective journeys home.

Another great day out with the Lads 

Even though we didn’t achieve one of our goals!

Cheers Lads

Woodlesford Wondering

 Wednesday 6th April. 2022.             Woodlesford    Wondering 

Today’s adventure for the lads would take them to Woodlesford, a suburb of Leeds, their mission to follow the Aire and Calder Navigation back towards the city centre. Those taking part would be Colin and John making their way to Woodlesford by train, Dave came by means of a bus ride, while Alan took a bike ride. All meeting up at the railway station at Woodlesford, rendezvous time of around 11:15 was suggested and that is indeed what occurred.

 

From this point the lads took the roadway leading them down to the canal consuming pork pies has the walked along, our memories of Eddie supplying us with the same kind of sustenance came flooding back for a brief moment. Our walk continued along the pathway, past the lock situated in this particular lovely stretch of the canal and on into a wooded area before we reached open countryside, off in the distance we could here the noise of traffic as it thundered along the motorway in either direction, soon we past under this construction has we made our way to the outskirts of Leeds

, a little further on and it was time to take a brief rest and consume our delights courtesy of Greggs, a pity there are no seating arrangements on this particular  stretch of the canal, so it was standing room only. All the expenditure had gone into the laying of a rubberised footpath, ideally suited for the cycling fraternity along with the  odd runners and pedestrians. Time now to resume our wondering has we slowly made our way on past the old Thwaits Water Mill complex and the beginning of the various industrial sites constructed in this area of Leeds.

 

Up to now the weather conditions had been fine with even the odd glimpse of sunshine, but alas we were caught out by a 6 minutes shower of rain during the final home straights of this almost 5 mile amble, with the time almost reaching 2pm we left the canal side and headed for Hunslet Road a location at which point we would be able to catch buses to our respective homeward destinations, bidding farewell to each other as we parted.

This had been a memorable experience for lot’s of different reasons.

Cheers Lads.

Outwood Outing

 30th March 2022.                    Outwood   Outing 

With inclement weather conditions forecast it was plan B for today’s adventure for this group of Lads John , Brian, Colin , Dave and Derek are making their way to a venue on the High Street at Outwood, an area on the outskirts of Wakefield. The place in question is the Empire Picture House now transformed into a fish and chips  establishment operated by the Wetherby Whaler Group. They intend to have a lunchtime meal here, a rendezvous time of 12:30 pm as been agreed . It was a train journey there for most of the lads, Derek came by car. It was a rather cold day with frequent rain showers as the group of 4 made their way from the railway station to the venue, a walking time of approximately 15 minutes

 

.The lads soon found themselves inside the building and were pleasantly surprised at the decor of the place. Derek joined the rest of the lads a few moments later, greetings exchanged it was now time to call the waitress over and order our meals, some confusion taking place as per usual, eventually things got sorted and our lunches arrived shortly afterwards. Various conversations ensued during our mealtime as  the lads consumed their fish and chips with enjoyment and pleasure , with the odd jokes thrown in at the waitresses expense. Stella was her name, a pint size girl with a great sense of humour, needs to be with our crowd!!

As the time now approached 2:00 pm it was time to say farewell to the Empire Building and head off back towards the railway station, on our way leaving Derek at the bus stop for his mode of transport home whilst the rest of us would be catching a train. 

Upon reflection Plan B turned out to be yet another memorable day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone.

Ribblehead Ramble

 Wednesday 23rd March 2022.                    Ribblehead Ramble 

With the prospect of fine weather in store, the Lads have decided to take the train journey back towards  the peaceful and splendid setting of the Ribblehead Viaduct location and enjoy just being there. Colin Brian and Dave will take the 10:49 Carlisle bound train from Leeds with John boarding at “Bingaley” they expect to arrive at Ribblehead just after midday.

It was a cooler start to the day back in Leeds which wasn’t really  expected , nevertheless it was afternoon now and quite a few degrees warmer in the Carnforth region. A shorter walk was envisaged for today’s ramble, so with best foot forward off they began, down the Lane from the Railway station over the road then followed the track leading them under the viaduct and on into a picturesque farmland setting with just the noise of birdsong and the gentle sound of running water from the nearby streams playing in their ears, so peaceful.

As the lads walked along they encountered several other groups of ramblers doing just the same thing , a few conversations took place as was to be expected along with the odd burst into sixties songs much to the delight of a few of the walkers. The route of the walk took the the lads in a reversal of their normal way ,which seemed to make progress a little easier for a couple of them , good thinking Dave. On the lads rambled through this magnificent countryside back underneath the rail tracks then the start of the journey back towards the viaduct and then on to the local pub for a well deserved lunch time meal all the time spotting different things has they went along, ie, hundreds of frogs in the marshland ponds crocking away until disturbed by a keen photographer, a fly past by a military helicopter and then a group of young cavers about to explore some of the surrounding landscape.

 

Once in the pub there was plenty of  time to relax, recover and reflect upon today’s adventure whilst enjoying our meals.The train back to Leeds was due to leave Ribblehead at 16:14 so it was a leisurely stroll back towards the station and wait for the train to arrive, unfortunately due to a signalling problem it was delayed by about 20 minutes or so. John left the train at Bingley the rest of us eventually arriving in Leeds at 17:50. From this point taking our each individual journeys home.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone 

Alternative Addingham

 Blog

Wednesday 16 March 2022

Addingham-Ilkley via No 62 Keighley Bus and Postman’s Shelter. 

It was a cold morning as Colin left home to catch the 09:40 to the Railway Station where he would arrive in plenty of time for the 10:33 to Ilkley going from platform 1 arriving in Ilkley @ 11:01 to rendezvous with the Tour Overlord, John Hey who had been there since 10:50 having to travel only a short distance from Bingley. 

We waited for the 11:12 No. 62 bus to Keighley alighting at Church Street and then a short walk to the suspension bridge at Addingham. 

We worked our way down the steps to the bridge and crossed over the river to embark on our walk through the peaceful countryside. 

Once we reached the road after leaving the farm buildings it was quite inclined until we reached the Postman’s Shelter where we partook in a bite to eat that would serve as part of our repast. 

Leaving the postman’s Shelter we strode purposefully on to our destination with the weather making a remarkable transformation with the sunshine now brightening our route. 

We soon arrived at the Golf Course and the diversion to the Ilkley bridge and on and upwards to the Lister Arms where neither of us could do a meal justice but at John’s suggestion we both decided that Apple Crumble would complement our sandwich and Sausage Roll’s at the Postman Shelter. Leaving Wetherspoons we strolled to Ilkley Station to catch our respective trains to Leeds and Shipley. 14:10 for me and 14:21 for John. 

Another great day out proving you don’t need to travel far to enjoy yourselves!

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

KWVR. Steam Gala

 Friday 11 March 2022

KWVR Steam Gala

It was a cold morning as Colin left home to catch the 09:40 to the Railway Station where he would arrive in plenty of time for the 10:26 to Skipton meeting up with Brian on platform 5 who was also returning to the group after a short absence both would be alighting at Keighley @ 10:52 to rendezvous with the Tour Overlord, John Hey. 

This day out was going to be more about platform bashing and observing the locomotives in and around Keighley for the Steam Gala than walking. 

There were a few steam locomotives visible as we arrived but more urgently  46001 Royal Scot was on platform 1 ready to depart all stations to Oxenhope @ 10:50 and would be arriving in Oxenhope @ 11:15. It was slightly behind schedule so we rushed over and were able to watch it climb out of Keighley with its train which is no easy feat for steam locomotives as the incline away from Keighley is quite steep. 

Observing from various platforms we saw No’s 45596 BAHAMAS, 78022, 7714, 52044 and No. 85 all at some point filling up with water. 

The trains were all remarkably full with lots of passengers enjoying the Steam Gala. 

We waited for Royal Scot to return at 12:05 but it was as expected ten minutes late because of its late departure and by now the sunny weather had become decidedly chilly so Brian and I decided to catch the 12:31 back to Leeds to escape the extreme cold. John catching his bus back to Wilsden outside the station for his two minute journey home. 

On arrival in Leeds Brian and I  returned to Morley and Beeston respectively. 

Another great day out proving you don’t need to travel far to enjoy yourselves!

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Encounter’s of the Eccup Kind!

 2nd. March 2022.                 Encounters of the Eccup Kind

With a miserable day forecast, 3 of the Lads took the brave decision to venture to the North Leeds suburbs  of Allwoodley and engage themselves in an almost 4 mile walk around the perimeter of the nearby Eccup Reservoir. They took a No 7A bus from the city centre in order to reach this destination. It was a lengthy journey taking almost 45 minutes to complete, finally leaving the bus at about 11:20.

 

From this point it was just a few hundred yards to the public footpath that would eventually lead them to the waters edge.

The pathway at this point and for the majority of their walk along the water’s edge was rather muddy to say the least, this pathway only giving the Lads a somewhat restricted view of the entire expanse of the reservoir. Only a handful of other walkers were encountered, mainly accompanied with their dogs, however this part of the journey did offer the lads some shelter for the falling rain.

 

Upon reaching the second reservoir lodges the lads were now able to get a much better view of the vista before then even in these drab and miserable conditions. A few moments spent here then off into some surrounding woodland to try and get some sheltered location in order to consume their picnic lunches, not very much success in this exercise, however the location chosen did suffice if only for a brief moment of time.

From this point it was now time to head back along a slight uphill roadway taking the lads back towards the main Harrogate road, a distance of about half a mile or so. Once at the main road the lads took a right turn heading towards the Leeds Grammar School and just beyond to a bus shelter and from there catch the No 36 bus back towards the city centre,

 

the 36 bus is a rather extremely comfortable one and provided the lads with some much needed warmth in order to recover from their rather dismal but exciting experience at Eccup. Once back in the city Dave and John left the bus and took a 10 minutes walk to the railway station  ,Colin staying aboard until it reached the bus station ,each of them now taking their respective journeys home.

All in all, yet again another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone.