Mark’s Birthday Bash

 Wednesday 18th March 2026.             Mark’s Birthday Bash

Today’s outing for the Lads is a two fold event, on the first hand it will be a celebration birthday meal held  at the Whitelocks public house in the city of Leeds, secondly it be the momentous occasion of the Lads 400th adventure since they began way back in 2013, what a great achievement to the endeavour of this so-called walking group.

It would be a pre-meal canal side walk for some of the group this morning, John, Malcolm, Dave, Colin and Glenn participating in a relatively short distance alongside the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, travelling from the railway station heading west. Their exit point would be in the vicinity of Viaduct Road, a synonymous place associated with their previous employer ie. Chas F Thackrays. From this point they would walk towards Kirkstall Road in order to take a bus ride back towards the city centre.Their intention now was to meet up with the rest of the gang at the Whitelocks establishment at around midday.

Eventually the group would consist of 4 other members, Keith, Derek, John Howarth and last but not least Mark whose birthday celebration it was.

Upon entering Whitelocks we were soon seated at our reserved table and considering what meals to have, once these had been ordered various conversations now ensued involving all concerned. 

We spent just short of two hours here in this quaint establishment before it was time to say goodbye to each other and begin to make our respective journeys home.

A great time was had by All.

Cheers Everyone.

A Walk along the Rochdale Canal

 Wednesday 11th March 2026               Rochdale Canal Walk

For today’s adventure the Lads have planned to take a Train Ride to the far reaches of West Yorkshire and take a short walk alongside a stretch of the Rochdale Canal that runs between Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge. Those taking part will include  Malcolm, John, Derek, Dave, Brian, Colin, Glenn, Mark, with John Howarth joining the lads once they have completed the walk.

A meeting up time of around 11am at Mytholmroyd Railway station was put in place, the canal was just a short distance away, Hebden  Bridge a further 2 miles along.

It was a sunny start to the morning but with a rather chilly wind blowing in our faces as we walked steadily along the tow path heading towards our objective, a canal side cafe close to the heart of Hebden Bridge. It would be here that the lads would meet up with John Howarth at around 12:30.

Our walk was interspersed with the odd rest stop and the occasional chat with fellow walkers enjoying this particular stretch of waterway. A few wildlife species were also spotted as we ambled along. We eventually caught up with John Howarth at our intended location that of the Hebble End coffee lounge. Once inside we made ourselves comfortable sat around a couple of tables, a short time was spent browsing through the limited menu before our individual orders were taken, little did we expect to wait a considerable time before they arrived in dribs and drabs, not very efficient to say the least.

We began to leave this establishment at about 1:45 with a couple of the lads deciding to take the bus back to the railway station here in Hebden Bridge, the rest of us walking there. We bid farewell to John Hey at this point, he was taking a different train journey home, we boarded a train heading in the Leeds direction and our respective journeys home.

Reflecting upon today’s events I think we all enjoyed being in each other’s presence and embracing the outdoors adventure etc.

Cheers Everyone.

 Wednesday 4 March 2026

Visit to Ilkley

Catching the 10:33 from Leeds to Ilkley with Malcolm, Brian, Colin and Glenn. Meeting us at the station was John coming over from Forster Square. Derek And Keith would meeting us at The Flying Duck. 

The day was sunny and bright as we left the Station in Ilkley and walked down to the river where we exercised our legs as we travelled towards the bridge for a crossover to the other side and a return towards Ilkley Park where we crossed over The ancient bridge in the Park and up to Leeds Road where we would soon encounter The Flying Duck for our dinner with most of us enticed by Pork Pie, gravy and mint sauce and a drink of our choice. We spent a good hour in the pub before we returned for the 14:10 at Glenn’s suggestion back to Leeds and what a good call it was. 

Another simply Devine day out with the weather on our side for once. 

Best regards Colin

Colin Hendrick Ward

The Murgatroyd Experience

 Wednesday 25th February 2026.       The Murgatroyd. Experience 

As the month of February draws to a close, the Lads are making a trip to Yeadon, their mission is two fold. Firstly once they have all arrive in the town, those being John, Colin, Brian, Derek, Glenn, Dave, John Howarth, Mark and finally Malcolm, they will make their way in the direction of the local Tarn and circumnavigate its embankment in a clockwise direction. Once this as been achieved the second reason will begin to unfold. The Lads have made a reservation at the nearby eatery courtesy of Malcolm, it’s been his birthday recently and he chose the venue of Murgatroyds fish and chip restaurant as a celebration event etc.

Most of the Lads met up in Leeds around 10:30 , their intention was to take the Airport Flyer Bus up to Yeadon on the way Malcolm would board the bus at his local stop, little did he know that a splendid rendition of Happy Birthday was forthcoming from all on board this bus, great reaction from all concerned. The bus dropping all our gang off at the appropriate stop, Mark finally joined us there , he had made the journey by car. The Time now was about 11:30, the Tarn was just a short distance away and some 40 minutes later after our walk we found ourselves seated at an appropriate table in the conservatory of the Murgatroyd restaurant.

Before not too long our choice of meals had been placed with a helpful waiter, who was very accommodating with our orders etc, shortly after this as per usual various conversations ensued and yet again the main topic was a future proposal of a trip to the North Yorkshire town of Richmond.

Little did we know what ultimate confusion this would bring to the table has we sat enjoying our lunchtime meals. With No specific plans confirmed about this trip to Richmond we said farewell to Yeadon and the so called Murgatroyd Experience and began to make our way to a nearby bus stop, as we waved goodbye to Mark.

It would be a No 34 bus that transported us back in the direction of Leeds and yet again we gave Malcolm a further rendition of the birthday wishes song, much to his delight. He left the bus at his preferred stop the rest of us travelling on into the centre of Leeds hoping to make it in time to catch our homeward trains etc.

Upon reflection, today’s adventure was a success, even though a little fragmented at times, just good to be out there enjoying each other’s company.

Cheers Everyone.

Wednesday 18 February 2026

Visit to see Roger Wadman

Catching the 10:20 Doncaster train from Leeds there would be a large contingent of friends visiting Roger today! Visiting today was Malcolm, Brian,Donald,Mark, Derek, Sam, Colin, Glenn, John and John Howarth. 

Sadly when we arrived at the home Roger was less effusive since we saw him last In October 2025 he had deteriorated significantly and it left us all shocked and saddened. He could have been feeling unwell or even suffering an infection but we will visit again in April to see if there is any improvement. The journey home was rather sad but we live in hope. I spoke to his daughter who agreed he had significantly deteriorated but felt that he does rally and maybe we caught him on an off day?

We had a spot of lunch at the South Elmsall Community Centre before leaving to catch the 13:39 back home to our various destinations.  

See you in April Roger!

Best regards Colin

Plan B take 2!

 Wednesday 11th February 2026.          Plan  B take 2

Yet again inclement weather caused the Lads to make alternative arrangements, so today’s plan was for them to head for an indoor game of Crazy Golf at the Puttstars outlet at a location in north Leeds.

It would be a group of 9 that took part in two rounds of crazy golf here at the venue, they split into groups of three, those being Dave, Derek and Brian, Glenn, John, and Keith, Colin, Malcolm and John Howarth.

The Lads had arranged to meet up at around 11 am at the venue by whatever means that met their needs etc, Bus Train or Car.

So with equipment to hand they began to work their way around the course and the challenges that it threw at them, a total of nine holes had to be overcome as the lads slowly made their way around the course. At the end of round one the individual scores were tallied up to see who had done best, it appeared that Keith and Brian had the best score, that of 20 - 21.the others with scores in the high twenties and lower thirties.

After a short break round two commenced, this time in reverse order to please everyone concerned.This second attempt to master the course proving as difficult as it did on their previous attempt, even so a certain amount of fun and enthusiasm was encountered by most of the Lads, for others not so much. A few holes in one being recorded as well as the odd eight or nine.

After about an hour and a half of this Crazy Golf experience it was time to leave the Puttstar venue and with no firm choice of a lunchtime meal decided upon the Lads drifted off to take their journeys home. 

A rather disappointing result to say the least, a kind of Marmite Moment.

Plan B

 Wednesday 4th February 2026.             Plan B

As the title suggests the Lads put Plan B into action for today’s adventure, their intention was to participate in a leisurely walk in the grounds of Temple Newsam followed by a lunchtime meal at the Station Inn in Crossgates, Leeds. This was put on hold due to unsuitable weather conditions and a rearranged visit to the Ten Pin bowling alley in the Merrion Centre was their chosen alternative.

It was a group of Seven that made it to lane 12 and compete with each other over two games here in the bowling alley. Derek, John and Brian taking on Dave, Glenn and John Howarth, Mark abstaining from bowling duties on this occasion.

These Lads had arranged to meet at around 11:00 am, they commenced their so called tournament at about 11:20. Some two hours later and after much excitement, enthusiasm coupled with jovial banter the final scores were announced, much to the delight of some and dismay for the others. It was team B that took the honours, team A left licking their wounds so to speak.

So it was Derek, John and Brian that held the Trophy aloft, soundly beating Dave, Glenn and John Howarth, Two games to Nil. With a re match taking place at some point in the future.

 

From the Bowling Alley the group now headed for a lunchtime meal which was consumed at the establishment of Trinity Kitchen, with Pizzas and Burgers etc along with a drink. The Lads eventually saying farewell to each other at about 2:20 pm. and then heading for their homeward journey.

Upon reflection today’s outing was full of thrills and spills and enjoyed by all involved.

Cheers Everyone.