A Loft full of Laughs

 Wednesday 28th October 2026           A Loft full of Laughs 

As the month of October draws to a close and the nights are getting darker, a more considered approach is being given to our adventures, gone have the outings to far off places and longer walks, instead a more relaxed venue is chosen giving some of our gang the chance to join up with us and enjoy a lunch time gathering etc. So today’s outing falls into that category, ie, the Loft at Bingley is where a gang of 8 will convene, those being John, Dave, Brian, Colin, Kevin, Glenn, Derek and Mark, the latter two lads will not be partaking in the earlier canal side walk from Saltaire to Bingley.

For the walking gang a time of meeting up at Saltaire Railway station at about ten past eleven was suggested and achieved. With rain showers forecast the lads came suitably dressed for their amble towards Bingley, so from the station it was best foot forward and down towards the canal and follow the tow path heading west for a few miles or so. It was a little wet underfoot in certain spots but these were able to be avoided without too much effort etc.

Not too many fellow walkers taking advantage of this pleasant and interesting journey with only a couple of barges slowly passing us bye , a few rest stops were taken along with the odd photo opportunities.

This walking group hopefully reaching Bingley and the Loft cafe at around 12:30, contact with Derek and Mark had been established, so the timing was almost perfect. John had pre booked a suitable table for all 8 of us, now with menus to hand and various drinks ordered  it was time to consider our choices of lunchtime meals.

Just over 2 hours later and after much frivolity amongst us all, it was time to say farewell to our venue and make our way to the nearby railway station , John ushering us away from his patch so to speak has he waved us off. First to board a train taking him homeward bound was Mark , the rest of us boarding a train heading for Leeds and beyond.

Upon Reflection today filled us all with pleasurable moments that will be treasured for ever.

Cheers Everyone 

Memorable Mansion

 Wednesday 21st. October 2026.            Memorable Mansion 

Today’s outing for the Lads proved to be a most memorable event for all concerned, it would see a group of 9 of us gather at the Mansion here at Roundhay Park, a notable location situated on the outskirts of Leeds.

We have chosen this particular place because of its close proximity to one of our old work colleagues, Tim Kearney who only lives a relatively short distance away. Others making the journey to the Mansion would be Colin, John, Derek, Dave, Brian, Don, Mark and Russ. A gathering time of about 11:30 was suggested and this is indeed what occurred. Eventually our group of 9 managed to find some appropriate tables to sit at and begin to relish this particular occasion, with orders of drinks and a bite to eat established soon the many various conversations ensued around the pushed together tables.

Many, many recollections of past work colleagues came to the forefront as you can well imagine, much to the delight of all concerned etc, names that had slipped through the net so to speak, mainly those with loose connections to the “Clean Room “ it was smiles all round as this banter continued for well over an hour. 

Now with the time approaching 1:00 pm it was a slow departure from this joyous moment as we dispersed into various groups , some of us deciding to take a walk through the park whilst a couple left by car or took a shorter walk to the nearest bus stop, all intent in making our respective journeys home.

Upon Reflection, today’s gathering was somewhat special, for no particular reason, only that we were there, former work colleagues just engaged in memories of the past and present.

Cheers Everyone.

Notable Nostell

 Wednesday 14th October 2026.             Notable Nostell

For today’s outing it would be just over a handful of the Lads that would make the trip to Nostell Priory. This is a picturesque setting on the outskirts of the city of Wakefield, formerly the ancestral home of the Winn family. The house itself is set in over 4000 acres of exploratory grounds that includes woodland, open meadows and magnificent lakes, all waiting for our group to walk around.

Those explorers would be John, Brian, Dave and Kevin, Derek and John Howarth would join these guys at a later stage in the small cafe located near the main entrance, not the cafe in the main stable block 

courtyard.

The first group of lads have made arrangements to meet up at Wakefield Bus Station at around 10:30, their intention is to board a No. 496 bus heading towards the small village of Nostell , about a twenty minutes ride away. These guys eventually arrived at the main gate of this sprawling estate just after 11:am.and soon found themselves heading along the roadway leading to the Main House, there in all it’s splendour with magnificent views from it’s vantage point. 

Now with the late morning sunshine on their faces and pleasant walking conditions it was time to explore a little further into these grounds, following a designated trail off in the direction to the distant Obelisk a mile or so away.

This journey taking them down towards one of the lakes surrounded by woodland, plenty of water fowl to catch a glimpse of at this particular spot. A few hundred yards on and they noticed several other pathways leading in various directions ( maybe to be explored at a later date). The Lads continued in their specific direction taking them on over an open meadow and eventually to the Obelisk structure built on the far reaches of this estate. A few moments were taken admiring the vistas etc before it was about turn and head 

back towards the main house and then finally on to the cafe.

By this time contact had been established with the two groups and a rendezvous time set up of around 12:30 was confirmed. So with still a fair amount of sunshine on offer the now group of six found themselves sat at an appropriate table on the patio of the cafe and about to enjoy their chosen lunchtime meals etc. The lads spent a good amount of time here discussing this that and the other before it was off to a nearby bus stop and eventually get back towards Wakefield. Once in the vicinity of the nearby bus stops some hesitation now ensued, some good 15 minutes were spent standing at a very busy road junction wondering in which direction the next bus would approach, as per usual 2 turned up , we all boarded the first and began our rather hectic and speeding journey back to the city. It was a quick exit from the 496 for most , this was in order to catch our respective buses homeward bound. John Hey heading for the railway station and his train back to Leeds.

Upon Reflection today’s adventure for the group was both rewarding and a truly enjoyable experience.

Cheers Everyone.

The Outwood Experience

 Wednesday 7th October 2026.          The Outwood Experience 

Today’s outing for a small group of the Lads would see them meeting up at Outwood Railway Station, this would be John and Colin travelling by train from Leeds whilst Dave and Kevin would take the train from Wakefield. Meeting them there would be Brian, his daughter had brought him by car.

A suggested time of 10:30 was arranged and that is indeed what took place, from the vicinity of the railway station the lads now ventured into the Lofthouse Colliery Nature Park and began a walk taking in some of the aspects of this particular location , woodland and small fishing ponds etc. This particular part of the walk taking about 50 minutes or so to complete.

Arrangements had been made to meet up with Derek and John Howarth at the 509 cafe situated on the high street in Outwood at about 12:15, from the Nature Park it was about a steady 15 minutes walk for these lads to meet them. 

We have visited this particular cafe on numerous occasions and enjoyed their selection of various meals etc. This time it was a rather hurried affair, unbeknown to us lads last orders would be 12:15. Fortunately for 5 of us we had arrived at a few minutes before midday and were able to place orders for the missing lads. Eventually we all got seated around an appropriate table and were soon relishing our various options of meals.

It was a limited time spent in the 509,  nevertheless all in all we had enjoyed our time here in Outwood.It was just before 1:00 pm as we each said goodbye to each other and began our journeys homeward bound.

Cheers Everyone for taking part even though it was relatively short and sweet.