Selby Situation

 

Wednesday 8 June  2022

Selby Canal Walk from Selby Railway Station to Brayton Bridge. 

John and I rendezvoused at Leeds Railway Station for the 10:34 to Hull alighting twenty minutes later at Selby Railway Station. The weather was bright and sunny with the likelihood of rain extremely unlikely. 

We exited the station at Selby and asked for directions to the canal but the lady advised us there was only a river! We asked a gentleman who by chance was going our way who told us indeed that there was a canal and chatted about his home town as we progressed down the road. 

He was a lovely chap and had tattoos all over his arms and face. Nevertheless, he was extremely kind and put us on the right path to Bayton  Bridge which would be today’s final destination. 

Proving you can’t judge a book by looking at the cover. 

We strode purposely on and passed a young family of Swans with five Cygnets that cheered us up as they were lovely and friendly. The walk was littered with benches and after an hour we partook in our lunch overlooking the canal, chatting about the present, past and future and the world is going mad as far as me and John are concerned. 

We then walked a little further arriving at Bayton Bridge where there was a picnic area and a boat selling coffees. We sat drinking our coffees chatting to the lady proprietor about the business in general and she said it was doing fine. She also introduced us to her female Alsatian that was almost a year old and had been rescued from some Gypsys that wanted them to fight but they were too nice so they became surplus after being mistreated. 

We then returned to Selby by the route we had taken and with time on our side we ventured to the old toll bridge and then into the Selby Abbey for a quick look round. It is one of the relatively few surviving abbey churches of the medieval period and although not a cathedral is on of the biggest.

We returned to Selby Railway Station in time to catch the 14:40 back to Leeds arriving just after 15:00. John catching the 15:18 to Carlisle and disembarking at Bingley. with Colin making his way to the new Corn Exchange to catch the No. 3 to Beeston. 

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

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward5

Adding to Addington

 Blog

Wednesday 1 June  2022

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

It was an overcast morning as Colin left home to catch the 09:36to the Railway Station where he would arrive in plenty of time for the 10:03 to Ilkley going from platform 10B arriving in Ilkley @ 10:31 to rendezvous with the Tour Overlord, John Hey would be arriving at 11:01 on the Dalesway bus  having to travel only a short distance from Bingley. This gave Colin time to go to Greggs for the meal deal which had gone up from its usual £3.45 to £3.50!

We then waited for the 11:12 No. 62 bus to Keighley alighting at Church Street around 11:25 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. We have decided that where appropriate the picnic option is a good alternative to seeking a restaurant on arrival at our destination. 

Leaving the postman’s Shelter we then strode purposefully on to our final destination with the weather being remarkable, glorious sunshine now brightening our route. 

We then discussed our next adventures to Heights of Abraham and Redcar including Saltburn with no fixed dates as yet. However with the light on our side we both thought let’s make hay whilst the sun shines. 

We soon arrived at the Golf Course and then the diversion by the power station to the Ilkley bridge and on and upwards to the bus / railway station (Toilet Visit for John) and our respective public transport to Leeds and Bingley. The 14:10 train for me and the 14:10 bus for John. 

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

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Scarborough Fair

 Wednesday 25th May 2022.               Scarborough Fair

Today’s adventure for the Lads got off to a slightly traumatic start, their original train journey aboard a train heading to Scarborough via York was cancelled, an early morning message was conveyed to Dave’s mobile phone 7:15 . Quick action was now required to let the other lads know about this situation, John was the first to react with the suggestion that we could take the 9:27 train from Leeds, so it was a rather hurried dash for him to get to Leeds in time, in the meantime Dave let Derek know what had happened, but unfortunately for him there was insufficient time for him to react , as for Colin it was a much easier task. So John , Colin and Dave met at platform 14A just in time to board the now straight through Train to Scarborough. When the ticket inspector  person arrived it was down to John to explain the unfortunate situation that had happened to us, he was very understanding and wished us a pleasant journey. The train ride to the east coast resort was now more relaxed and enjoyable on board a six carriage loco with less than fifty passengers to share it with.

Upon arrival at Scarborough ,Alan was there to greet us with his sun tanned smile and asked what our plans were for the rest of the day , first thing was to head for breakfast, this was enjoyed courtesy of Lil and her husband at their small establishment in the vaults situated under the indoor market hall.

We took advantage of some outdoor seating soaking up the morning sunshine, which hadn’t been predicted, hence the Scarborough Fair Title, the rest of the day here in the resort was also bathed in sunshine from time to time although we did experience a rather gusty wind as we walked along Marine Drive heading for the North Bay, a nice cuppa was drank at a small roadside cafe in this location before three of us took the opened top bus back towards the centre, getting off near the Harbour Bar

 

establishment were John treated us all to a Peach Melba, yum yum. Alan missing out on this treat although he did rejoin us for our journey back along the seafront and eventually back towards the railway station , taking in a Tramway ride along our way. A decision to catch a earlier train back to Leeds was agreed upon and that would be the 15:35 from Scarborough to York and then boarding the Plymouth bound train stopping at Leeds, this is indeed what ensued, John again doing his best to convince the ticket inspectors of our predicament and getting the thumbs up for his explanation’s, we did eventually arrive back in Leeds a few minutes after 6 o’clock that afternoon, from here we all took our respective journeys home.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone.

Super Settle

 Blog

Thursday 19 May 2022

Settle Circular River, Mill Pond  and Countryside walk.

Super Settle

It was an overcast morning as Colin boarded the 10:49 at Leeds bound for Carlisle on our way to Settle. 

John would board the train at Bingley where we both alighted at Settle at a round  11:50.  

Only John and Colin for today’s saunter around the Town of Settle as Dave was unavailable for today’s walk. 

We followed the walk as described on the board at Network Rail’s Settle Station and travelled down by the river crossing major roads, sty’s and fields and passing Settle AFC on the way. 

We chatted to a couple from Chorley who were coming in the opposite direction and they  assured us we were on the right track. 

We continued along roads and past a pair of stone cottages,  country lanes, over bridges and eventually through a working industrial mill that would eventually lead back into Settle. 

We had met a few people en route and one couple who we chatted to towards the end took us to their house and showed us where they lived in palatial settings having moved there sixteen years ago from Methley it was absolutely beautiful in gorgeous settings with rolling hills all around. 

We soon found the ginnel they had told us about which was a short cut into Settle passing the fish shop then crossing over the main road until we came upon The Naked Man Cafe. Ordering lunch I ordered a warm beef baguette with onions and an Eccles Cake with a latte and John ordered Canapés and Caviar with French Fries. He tried to order blancmange but they had just sold the last one to Lord Bingley of Settle so he opted to have nothing. 

We then made our way next door to the ice cream parlour for two rum and raisin ice creams which were delicious and we sat outside to finish them off. 

We then set off back to Settle Station to wait for the 16:28 back to Leeds. 

We then chatted to a lovely couple who were on holiday from South Wales and travelling to Kendal to finish off their delightful holiday. John and Colin both recommended the east coast to them and Ravenscar to Robin Hood’s Bay as a starter. 

The train was on time with John eventually alighting at Bingley at 17:13. 

Arriving back in Leeds at 17:40 Colin was able to catch the 17:50 from Trinity back to Beeston arriving home at around 18:10. 

It was a lovely walk today and  on reflection we felt it well worth a revisit at some point in the future covering around 9000 steps, approximately 5 miles in two hours. 

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward

Waterfalls Walk

 Wednesday 4th May 2022                  Waterfalls Walk

For today’s adventure 3 of the lads have decided to take a visit to the town of Bingley and explore a local scenic attraction, that of Goit Stock Waterfalls in the so-called hidden valley. This location is just a few miles from the centre of the town, getting there was all planned out by our tour master for the day John. Colin and Dave would be joining him has he awaited their arrival at Bingley Railway Station, at a time of a few minutes before 11am. It was a quick departure from the station in order to catch the 616 bus that would take the lads up through nearby woodland and on to the outskirts of Wilsden.

 

From here they would take the roadside pavement following the B6144 for about a mile or so, which was a steady incline, before branching off down Bents Lane which would take them in the direction of the hidden valley and Bents Mill , a recently modified old cotton mill complex turned into holiday apartments. The countryside views as we descended Bents Lane were somewhat fantastic, even on a dull and showery morning ,didn’t spoil our enjoyment and the peacefulness that exist here in this location.

Upon arriving at Bent’s Mill and with the owners permission we were able to place ourselves at a located picnic table and consumed our lunches, nice setting created in wonderful gardens by the riverside. From this point the next few hundred yards of our journey would prove to be quite challenging to say the least, our sense of balance and sure footedness would be put to the test, along with a helping hand from John we continued our journey.

We were close to the river as it cascaded  downwards through this wooded valley strewn with rock formations from a bygone time, just wonderful to see and here, even though this was a treacherous part of our adventure it was well worth the experience,

eventually we reached relative safety  and a more easy walkway, the next part of our journey took us along a tarmac Lane and eventually to the location of the Malt Shovel Pub situated by the main road and a place where we were able to catch a bus back towards the town of Bingley, by this time the sun had managed to break through the clouds for more than a few moments and was now quite pleasant as we boarded the 616 bus. Some 15 minutes later we were back in Bingley and found ourselves heading for the Ice Cream Parlour situated in the pleasant surroundings of Myrtle Park, here we sat and watched a game of crown green bowling whilst consuming our delightful purchases, yum yum.

With the time approaching 2:45 it was a just a short distance back to the railway station here in Bingley in order to board the 15:08 back to Leeds, bidding farewell to John and thanking him for organising this adventure, Colin and Dave now jumped aboard a rather crowded train. Once back in the city the lads took their respective journeys home.

Upon reflection today’s adventure of almost 5 miles was full of thrills and spills ,literally, treacherous at some points but so much well worth the effort if only for the memories created .

Cheers Lads.