As always we were up with the larks yesterday, ready for our journey by steam up to Carlisle. J arrived in time, and we then set off by taxi to Leeds railway station. This wasn’t by choice by the way but by necessity, seeing as because we were journeying on a Sunday there were no trains running to Leeds at that time in a morning from our station. On arriving at Leeds J and K had a breakfast in McDonalds, (I had already eaten mine at home) and then we made our way onto platform 8 to wait for the train to arrive.  There were lot’s of other passengers waiting for it as well.

Eventually the Oliver Cromwell came steaming into Leeds station. We were stood at a spot on the platform where we thought our carriage (J) would stop as usually the carriages are in an order of A, B, C behind the engine with  the lower letters usually coming at the back of the train, but when the train arrived our carriage was next but one to the engine, so we had to sprint down the platform in order to board.  We made ourselves comfortable, J and K with their backs to the engine, and myself  facing forwards (although this seating arrangement changed during the coarse of the journey.)

Then we were off! With a whistle and a puff of steam, the Cumbrian Mountain Express pulled by the Oliver Cromwell and consisting of 12 coaches, departed Leeds City Railway station precisely on time. The weather wasn’t too bad when we began our journey,  but it did become misty and cloudy as we joined the Settle-Carlisle railway  and so visibility over the Yorkshire Dales from the train was somewhat hampered by this. I tried to take lot’s of photos through the window and had planned to take some from one of the carriage doors with the window down so that the resulting shot wasn’t hampered by the reflection and dirt on the glass, but I had to abandon that idea seeing as most of the train enthusiasts on board were stood at the doors  poking their heads out so that they could see the entire train and wearing huge goggles to stop the soot and grit going in their eyes. (and J refers to me as sad!)

We were all allowed a short break at Appleby whilst the engine took on water, in fact we had two water stops on the way up to Carlisle. The engineers on board use a water tube (similar to the ones that firemen use to get water) and they then laid  it out along the platform to the engine from a water wagon parked at the station. It gave us all a chance to stretch our legs and take some more pictures of the Oliver Cromwell. (although you are hard pressed to get a shot of it without also getting other passengers in, as they all clamour around for a photograph stood in front of it.)

It’s a wonderful train journey to make, the scenery is absolutely  breathtaking and I would have loved to have taken  more pictures from the train than I  did, but I wasn’t sure how they would turn out because the windows were none too clean, and the further on we journeyed the more the visibility outside worsened. You couldn't make out the furthest hills and mountains at all, and I still intend to do this journey when the weather is fine so that I can really appreciate it all.

Eventually we arrived in Carlisle on platform 3. We three ran quickly to the front to get some shots of the engine before anyone else was st0od in front of it, then we made our way out of the station. We hadn’t much time. Just under three hours isn’t long enough to see everything, so we fairly quickly made our way to Carlisle Castle and after buying our entrance tickets, (thank goodness K is a member of the Heritage Trust!) we made our way to the keep. Some of you will no doubt remember that K and I had visited the keep at Carlisle Castle keep during our last trip there but it was still enjoyable to look around it all again. Of course there were plenty of K’s favourite stairs to negotiate but she didn’t complain and tackled them without the usual moans and groans. (mind you, after the York Minster tower climb she did, these would seem like a piece of cake!)

After exiting the castle gate, we returned via the under the road concourse so that J could see the cursing stone there and all the other interesting things that line the walls.  J wanted to look around the shopping precinct and so we then spent a boring time following him around as he went into different clothes shops. *sigh* (For those readers who may not know this, J is a nightmare to shop with!  He will go in a shop with little idea of what he is looking for, look at just about every garment they have on display, including a detailed examinations of it, the price etc, move on, same again, repeat, out of that shop, into another, repeat, etc, etc, whilst a bored and fed up Mum and sister look on.)

He usually ends up buying nothing, and as in this instance we were ‘clock watching’ into the bargain, K and I spent the majority of this time sighing and rolling our eyes at each other in the usual manner that we do whenever we happen to find ourselves in this unfortunate situation. We try and avoid if if at all possible.

Besides which we hadn’t come here to shop! On top of that, my back was giving me jip again. Eventually he sauntered into a branch of HMV where he purchased some CD’s which of course he could have easily bought at home in one of our branches. *Sigh*  We began to retrace our steps back to the Railway Station, and on the way, walked through the market where K bought a Hog sandwich with stuffing’ (I had a taste and it was absolutely delicious!) and I foolishly was tempted by a stall selling marshmallow kebabs which consisted of five or six white and pink marshmallows all on a stick which were then covered in hot chocolate sauce! It was absolutely fantastic as you twirled your ‘kebab’ in the chocolate sauce, and apparently according to J, I ended up with chocolate all over my face at this point (he didn’t take a photo of me in this state though which in hindsight was a shame)

I suffered for it afterwards though as by the time we boarded the train for the journey home I was feeling quite sick.  Oh well, I always make a point of buying or eating something whilst visiting a place that I can’t get at home, and we certainly don’t have marshmallow kebabs around here! On arrival at platform 4 from where our train was to depart, we could see it being pulled into position by the Oliver Cromwell. Then the engine had to be unhooked from the carriages,  reverse out so that they could return back down to the other end ready for the return journey. I tried to capture all of this manoeuvre on my camera,  but as always others were stood in the way intent on doing the same thing.

Once the engine was hooked up to the front, we all piled on again.  By now the weather had let us down as it was raining, and for the remainder of the return journey it rained consistently. It also became quite dark as well. K and I shared a bottle of wine (J didn’t want any) and actually he spent most of the return journey standing at one of the nearby doors with his head stuck out watching the train. Funnily enough, he didn’t end up with a black face as most tend to do, but we were at the far end from the engine so maybe that was why.

When we arrived back at Leeds, we had quite a wait for our train home, and so J sauntered off for a smoke outside the station whilst K and I had a toilet and then sat down on a bench to wait. As it was the Leeds Festival there were lots of youngsters walking around the station in high spirits so there was much shouting and raucous laughter going on. I was glad when the driver and conductor arrived and we were on our way to be honest.  I was feeling really tired and longing to get home to bed.

It was 23.00pm by the time we landed at our station, so we hailed a taxi for the rest of the journey home. J admitted that he had been disappointed in Carlisle, and wished that we had gone up to Edinburgh instead. (he was given the choice) So we will probably plump for Edinburgh next time we go ‘up north’

TG More pictures of our journey from Leeds to Carlisle HERE. p.s don’t forget to click on the blue hyperlinks for more info will you? Enjoy!

K and I are off on another of our jaunts tomorrow, so in this post, I plan to repeat the ‘clues’ that I gave all my readers last time. You have to guess where we are going and also how we will be getting there. Last time I think I made it far too easy for my readers, so this time the clues will be far more subtle.

I will be using Bing for the clues but you can use Google although it might not come up with quite the same outcome as Bing, so do take this into consideration.  So enjoy and here goes!

 

 

 

Clue 1.  This locomotive hauled the very last steam train for British Rail on August 11th 1968.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clue 2. We depart from a city currently playing host to some Kings of Leon.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

Clue 3. The route we will take was the last great railway mainline to be built in the UK. It was completed in 1876.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clue 4. It is considered to be one of the most picturesque railway journeys that this country has to offer.

 

 

 

 

                   

 

 

Clue 5. Our destination is a city that is 2000 years old and contains a Castle and an Cathedral.

 

 

 

for this outing we are accompanied by J and this will be the first time that he has ever been on a steam pulled train before, so I am looking forward to his reactions when he sees the multitude of photographers, enthusiasts and general interest that such a journey tends to invoke. How will he react when he sees all the route lined with people waving, snapping and generally watching us go by?

We have only 2 hours and 50 minutes to spend in our destination, so we are going to have to really pelt around taking it all in! (if that is at all possible) My trusty Samsung camera will be accompanying me as always, so lot’s of snaps will be uploaded afterwards.

I have probably made it far too easy again, but its not easy setting up the clues, try it yourself!  

TG  Have fun everyone and enjoy the bank holiday weekend won’t you?

I’ve had rather a busy morning this morning, non stop would be a relevant and apt description. After breakfast, I decided I could no longer ignore the pile of ironing seeing as it had become so high that I had to bring out my step ladder in order to place the latest washed clothes on top of the pile,(joke) and so reluctantly assembling my trusty ironing board and my iron, I proceeded to plough my way through it all.

Whilst I was engaged in my favourite household task (not!) K finally arose from slumber, did as she always does first thing and moseyed into the lounge to peer through the TV Guide for next week so that she could set up her future recordings. Following that, she disappeared into the bathroom for quarter of an hour as she is want to do (the usual sound of mutterings and grumblings heard emitting from there during this time) followed by getting herself showered and dressed.

“What are we having for dinner Mum?” First conversation today, and of course on the usual subject.

“We’ll go down to MickyD’s if you want.” (Me thinking to myself, after working my way through this lot, I’ll be in no mood to stand slaving over the cooker, and anyway, we have nothing for me to cook) excuse.

“Bring me my purse so that I can check how much I have.” (Me)

As is usual for K, she shot off downstairs to fetch my purse and was back with it before you could blink an eye. (Explanation.) There are only four events that incite K to move like lightening and these are as follows,

   The mention of food or the close proximity of an eating establishment.

    The mention of money OR someone giving me money, as in shopkeeper giving me my change. (hand shoots out and         said change  is in her pocket before either the shopkeeper or I have had time to move.)

    Some post arrives through the letterbox.

    I get a bottle of chocolate milk out of the fridge to put on my Rice Krispies.

I didn’t have enough money! Drat! That meant a walk to our nearest ATM machine for a top up of our loose change.  Oh well, I reasoned, it was a beautiful day outside, the sun was shining and it would do us both good to get some fresh air and stretch our legs. So after completing the mammoth ironing task, we both put our shoes on, grabbed our bags in my particular case complete with camera, and set off full of high spirits only to find when we arrived at the ATM machine that it was broken.

Hmm. Remember dear readers how K hates walking, but!  That hate depends entirely on the goal at the end of the journey!  Remember, there is no way she would accompany me on my C.R.E.W walks if there wasn’t a meal at the end of it!  And so it was in this instance as to my surprise she immediately proposed that we continued to walk down to town in order to achieve the desired  aim of being able to eat at McDonalds. Its amazing isn’t it? The difference that a visit to her favourite eating establishment will invoke! (Well to be truthful, it’s not her favourite eating establishment. That honour goes solely to Jumbo’s, a Chinese Buffet  restaurant in Huddersfield frequented by her and her Dad when he takes her out for the day, where you can have as much as you want to eat until you are bursting at the seams which suits them both.)

And so we continued walking down to town. By now, I was beginning to feel a little frazzled. I had been standing ironing nearly all morning, now I was having to partake of quite a walk and my back began to give me jip. To help take my mind off it, I was busy snapping away as we journeyed along, the flowers, the trees, the library, a strange figure of a white man painted in the library grounds, anything really that caught my eye. Once we had finally withdrawn some money from the ATM outside my bank, the intention was to catch the bus onto MickyD’s  (even with the promise of a meal at the end of it, there is a limit to how far K will be encouraged to continue walking)  but….silly Mum had left both bus passes at home! Grrrr! Well, there was nothing for it but to grit ones teeth and soldier on!

Look on the bright side! I told myself, at least it isn’t raining! This time I managed to get my panoramic shot of the flower beds in the Park as well, because there were only two old dears having a natter on one of the benches that surround them, and they were so engrossed in conversation that I honestly don’t think they would have noticed if an entire BBC film crew had been filming them. We continued onto McDonalds. The service in there is getting worse every time we go in. I was the only one  waiting to be served in the restaurant area, but I still had to wait about 10 minutes before anyone attended to me. They concentrate far too much on the customers  in the drive through, and anyone waiting in the restaurant area is  left there tapping their feet impatiently whilst the staff serve the car customers. Grrrr!

K had a Summer Chicken Supreme meal (large size because I am collecting the glasses again) complete with her usual still Fanta orange with no ice, and I had a McChicken Sandwich meal (leaving out the bun of course) with a cup of tea. (Didn’t fancy my usual Grilled Chicken Caesar salad as I am sick and tired of eating salads all the time, and I am slowly beginning to turn green, crinkly and crisp)

At last we arrived home and I could sit down and rest my aching back. Good job that the weather has been lovely today. I was thinking we should go on a walk when I looked out of the window first thing and saw it was going to be nice, but that was before I had begun the ironing task, and I certainly didn’t envisage the two or three mile walk we ended up doing!  A roundabout trip consisting of a little bit more walking than planned but, nevertheless, very enjoyable. Bah! I have just realised! We needn’t have done any of it! Why?  Because McDonalds now have card machines!  Doh!  Will my brain EVER work at full capacity again? 

 

TG  (More pictures of our walk today HERE.)

Yesterday K toddled off into the wide blue yonder to Respite Care,(well rode there in an Access bus to be truthful) leaving her poor old Mum all by herself, and so after doing some washing this morning and hanging it all out to dry, I decided not to waste such a beautiful day and set off for a walk down to town, taking photographs as I journeyed along of anything that took my fancy. I used to love being by myself at one time, and actually used to really relish being able to please myself what I did, but now its not so enjoyable anymore, and don’t ask me why because I don’t honestly know the answer.

I sauntered down to the main road and from there made my way to where our new Swimming Baths is now in the first throes of being built. Yes folks its all going ahead, despite everyone who lives a stones throw away from its intended placement making all sorts of procrastinations about traffic, parking, noise etc, and why not?

Everyone and their dog protested about the Tesco building, but did it have any effect? Did the persons in charge of planning change their minds, concede defeat, turn round and say ‘No’ to the might that is Tesco? So why should it be any different when we, the citizens of this small town, are actually going to get something that we were promised (and indeed before we were swallowed up into the greater Authority that is Calderdale) were actually just about to get, namely our brand new Swimming Pool?

K and I will be the first in there I promise you. (health permitting of course and provided that I am still on this mortal coil) We shall be the first to sample the water, dip our toes in, or, if we are brave and foolhardy enough, we may even take a flying jump and therefore empty the pool before any one else gets a chance to sample its delights! Most of the Crazy Golf has gone. There are only two of the obstacle holes left now, and the poor old totem carving is laid prone on the floor awaiting its final fate.

I continued on into the park, where the usual owners with their dogs were all chasing one another and running around yapping like crazy, (the dogs I mean, not the owners.)  I moseyed on up to the Park flower beds, intent on taking one of my usual panoramic photos in order to get the whole of the flower display in, but I was foiled by a couple sitting on one of the benches canoodling who would have been ‘in shot’ had I gone ahead. He was in a pair of shorts, ideal for this weather you would agree, but his thighs, which would have been very visible in any photograph I had taken, were like big thick tree trunks and not a pretty sight, and besides which they may have taken umbrage at my including them in a photograph. Not everyone wants to have their photo taken by some stranger, for all I knew they might have been having a secret tryst of some sort.

So I had to forget that idea and continue on to town where I took some shots of the Canal marina where all the narrow boats are berthed, and from there, I continued along the canal taking photos as I went along. Of course as usual the ducks that frequent the canal had their picture taken again, they must be quite used to it by now, although some who were sunning themselves at the side were obviously camera shy and hid their heads inside their plumage.

I finished up taking my last shots of the lovely flower display in the town square before continuing on to have a quick natter with my ‘adopted’ son Ade, who owns the shop where I buy all my video games from.(He isn’t really my adopted son, but its a standing joke between him and me because he once remarked that he saw more of me than he did of his own Mum.)

Then I decided that as it was such a lovely day, I would walk home as well, treating myself to an ice cream along the way. It was such a lovely day, the sun was shining, there was only a slight breeze, so it seemed a travesty to take the bus. Besides which I could suit myself what I decided to do! K wouldn’t have walked home, she would have refused point blank no matter how enjoyable the weather. Walking down to town is sufficient for her, so I took advantage of the fact that it was entirely up to me what I did and walked all the way back home.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures of our little town. The rest are here in my SkyDrive.

TG 

On Saturday, K and I joined the other members of Crew on a walk around Judy Woods.  Now funnily enough, despite the fact that I only really live a stones throw away, I have never visited Judy Woods before.  I knew of it of course, and I had always wanted to visit, it is reputed to be especially beautiful in May when all the bluebells are out.  As this walk also coincided with K’s thirtieth birthday she was very excited, and she had spent most of the morning before we were due to set off for the walk busily opening her presents and cards.

It was raining but this didn’t dampen our spirits at all, after all hadn’t we just bought our lovely new raincoats guaranteed to be waterproof, and so once we all arrived at the roadside where all the walks through Judy Woods begin, K and I set off without a care in the world, confident with backpack and walking stick in hand. Some of the members had done the walk earlier in the week, and had found it to be particularly heavy going, stating that it was very muddy to walk, but being in such high spirits we confidentially joined the ‘’hard walk’ group, choosing to ignore any  warnings that K would probably find the going difficult.

Hmm. Well, all I can say is that in between slithering, sliding, slipping, pushing K up, pulling her up, assisting her round the most muddy areas, taking three steps forward and four steps back, negotiating slippy stone walkways over muddy streams, tripping over roots, striding gamely through nettles and brambles, I began to feel as if we were all taking part on one of those Army training courses that recruits are made to endure.  K was also ably assisted by some of the other members, but I was left to struggle onward as best I could  most of the time, with the result that I had a horrible premonition that any moment I was going to slip and fall face first into the mud.

Visions of me arriving later at the Wyke Lion covered from head to foot in mud and dripping it all over the carpet swam in front of me as clear as day! K and I haven’t got around to buying any proper walking shoes, but this walk has now convinced me that we really do need to acquire some Pronto! When we reached an cleared area where there was a signpost stone, K asked if we could have a rest so that she could have a drink and a breather, but before she had chance to get her drink out of her backpack, the leader T was off again!  Her face was a picture.

We met up with the other party who were taking the ‘easy route’ through the woods, but despite the fact that they invited K to join them for the rest of the walk, she carried on with the ‘hard walk’ group. Actually the rest of the walk was an absolute doddle compared to the first half that we had already done. Trouble was that it was so muddy underfoot that I didn’t really get chance to enjoy the woods at all, I was far too busy helping K and watching my own footing to look up and admire the view!

We emerged out onto the road and all made our way back down to where the cars were parked. All of our shoes were caked with mud (and the bottom of our trousers as well!) so we cleaned them up as best we could with some tissues before climbing into the cars to go to the Wyke Lion for our usual end of walk meal. I had a grilled chicken Caesar salad and K had Garlic Chicken with mashed potato, all nicely swilled down with some large glasses of sweet white wine.  Of course because it was her birthday, K was treat to the usual calorie laden chocolate sweet to follow which she thoroughly enjoyed. (as usual.)

I have vowed to do this walk through Judy Woods again but when the weather is more suitable and the route isn’t covered in mud. Then I may be able to look up and admire the beauty of it all instead of trying to stay on my feet!

TG

I was up with the crack of dawn as is usual when we are setting off anywhere, showered, dressed and hair done at 06.30am.  K was also up early and after we had checked that we had everything that we needed for the day out including our packed lunches for the train, we set off to catch the bus to take us to the Railway station.  The platform soon filled with expectant and eager travellers (and of course lots of train enthusiasts all waiting patiently with cameras and cine cameras at the ready.) I was so excited.  After all, our last trip on a steam engine pulled excursion had been four or five years ago on the Flying Scotsman.

      

Eventually and right on time, 6233 the Duchess of Sutherland came puffing round the bend and alongside platform 8.  She was pulling 10 coaches in all, and we were in Coach G.  We all eagerly clambered on board and found our respective seats where we all stashed our coats, bags and other paraphernalia onto the luggage racks above before settling down for the journey ahead.   Our next pick up point was to be Wakefield and from there we would be continuing onto York and then Scarborough. 

As is usual when a chartered train pulled by a steam locomotive is pulling a train, the whole journey was peppered with train enthusiasts lining the route with their cameras taking photos of the engine as it roared past, and people with young children were waiving to us, so of course we all took the opportunity to wave back. (with me giving my usual royal wave as I always do on these occasions.) You really do feel like royalty as you ride on these steam train journeys, and it always amazes me how they know which route to wait along so as to catch a glimpse or a good photograph.  This one that we were travelling on this Friday was actually the first one to take place this year doing the Scarborough route.

During the journey we were all really well looked after by the train staff, with a tea trolley, present and gift trolley, a raffle (to be drawn during the return journey) and the chance to win a prize to ride on the footplate and drive the Duchess of Sutherland yourself!  Yippee!  You can guess that this Granny bought some tickets!  I bought K a Duchess of Sutherland polo shirt and I bought my usual fridge magnet.  Apart  from a stop to take on some water where we were all amused to see our engine go steam past us all in reverse, (and then luckily steam back again to continue the journey) we made good time and arrived in Scarborough at 13.06pm, dead on schedule.  We were all informed by the staff to return promptly at 17.00pm thereby giving us 4 hours to enjoy Scarborough and take in the sights.  Of course, I took the opportunity to take a few snaps of the Duchess as she stood there looking all pristine and smart in her maroon livery.

 Eventually we tore ourselves away and exiting the station, we made our way down to the seafront via the winding steps route and from there we walked slowly along the front towards the harbour. It was a beautiful day, we really were lucky because it was warm enough to be without coats.  We stopped to watch a man making some sand sculptures of a bear and a crocodile, then we continued on to the harbour walk to the lighthouse. Lot’s of people were making the most of the warm sunshine, sitting on the many benches watching the boat trips out into the bay, so we stayed there for a while to take some photographs of all the boats moored up and the boat rides.

Eventually we began to make our way back along the front to my favourite ice cream parlour for my usual ‘seaside’ treat of a Knickerbocker Glory.  K didn’t want her usual chocolate sundae and she just had a chocolate milk shake instead.  When we emerged from the ice cream parlour, the Sea Rescue helicopter was hovering out in the middle of the bay and we watched them winch someone from one of the boats who had obviously been taken ill or something, either that or they were doing some practice exercises.  Eventually we  made our way back up into the town centre where we continued on to the Rotunda Museum of Geology.  I have never been before, in fact I didn’t know it existed until the other day when I was constructing  a fun quiz for my Spaces friends and it came up in one of my Bing searches about Scarborough.  There are certainly some very interesting exhibits inside, but I did feel that it was geared more towards the children rather than adults.

Soon it was time to saunter back up to the train station.  We had a toilet break on arrival and K bought herself a steak pasty for her tea on the train.  I wanted to take the opportunity to get some more pictures of the Duchess of Sutherland before our return journey began whilst she was stood stationary, so we walked along the platform to the far end and  as they were allowing passengers to take a look around the cab, I climbed up as well so that  K could take a photograph of me peeking out!  It was so hot in there with the firebox open but I was in seventh heaven!  Of course my lovely daughter also took a picture of me climbing back down rear first!

Dead on time at 17.06pm we set off from Scarborough for our return journey, and again the whole route was littered with railway enthusiasts (many with very expensive cameras set up on tripod stands) trying to get that ultimate shot of the Duchess as she steamed past.  Honestly it must be so gratifying to be the engine driver or one of his mates on one of these steam train excursions!  All those people making the special effort to wave at you or take a photo as you steam past!  I wouldn’t be able to stop grinning from the minute I set off to the moment I finished!  Its just as exiting being a passenger on one, and I do encourage anyone to make at least one journey on a steam pulled charter train in their lifetime.

Despite having to make a diversion during the return journey when part of the intended route was having engineering work done to it, we arrived back in Huddersfield more or less on time. Then it was a fond farewell to all of our other fellow passengers, and as there wasn’t a train due to our town we set off to make the short walk up to the bus station for the bus home.  We had enjoyed a wonderful day both weather wise and journey wise, and we certainly hope that it won’t be the last. More pictures to follow in my SkyDrive.

TG