Category Archives: Pubs

29th April picture of the day…

29 Saturday Apr 2023

Posted by in Calder Valley, Gardening, Musings, Picture of the day, Pubs, West Yorkshire

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As weekends go, this one’s not got off to a bad start – mainly because we were under no pressure to do anything or get anywhere (that comes next week). Instead, Dawn managed to get her full compliment of Z’s whilst I wasn’t far behind. My Fitbit is telling me how virtuous I am, which is nice…

Once we’d imbibed sufficient quantities of caffeine to kickstart the day we both got motoring. Whilst the weather forecast hadn’t been promising I could see the opposite side of the valley (always a good sign) I I decided to blitz the back terraces to the house. Working over multi-levels and up and down steps certainly keeps one fit. as does deciding to improve the quality of the soil in the flower bed opposite the kitchen window by digging it out and sieving all the stones – by hand. The flowers will thank me. My back didn’t! As if this wasn’t masochism enough I also broke up more of an old stone sink I stripped out of the former outside toilet. Yep, this cottage is old enough to have one of those! I’ve gradually been getting rid by turning the thing into gravel but now spring is here I want to get shut of all of it. Luckily, there’s an unadopted road near us that’s so potholed it looks like a Ukrainian battlefield, so I’m killing two birds with one stone (or should that be sink) and helping fill in their craters. Whilst I squatted on the cobbles at the back of the house breaking rocks my mind drifted back to my travels. The process reminded me of my old visits to India, observing road repairs, which was quite a shocking experience the first time I saw it. You’d find whole families working on road contracts, living in shanties on the side on the side of the road they were improving. Dad and Grandfather would be turning boulders into rocks. Mum and Grandmother would be turning rocks into smaller rocks and the kids would be turning said rocks into gravel – all for a few Rupees a day in the blazing heat. At least I only have one sink to break up – and it wasn’t to earn a living..

Having improved the soils and removed a few kilos of gravel I planted the Mimulus I bought in Ossett yesterday. Apparently, they’re an old Victorian garden favourite – which seems appropriate considering the amount of graft I’ve undertaken just to get the bloody things in! Still, joking aside, I really enjoy gardening. The weather stayed clement and I got a lot done – as did Dawn – just indoors. Hopefully, the weather will play ball again tomorrow so that I can finish ‘nuking’ all the weeds on the top terrace. One of our neighbours struggles to get up to her terrace nowadays so I’m fire-fighting living next to a jungle as stuff spreads like mad.

Now, having done my ‘great escape’ impression and surreptitiously dumped a load of hardcore in few potholes (thankfully I didn’t have to do it down my trouser legs) I’m relaxing at home. Dee’s preparing supper (lamb kebabs with salad), after which it’s time to relax. All that remains is to select the picture of the day. Sans rubble I called in for a ‘swifty’ at our local pub – the ‘Big 6’ so tonight – here’s a drink on me!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

22nd April picture(s) of the day…

22 Saturday Apr 2023

Posted by in Calder Valley, Food and drink, Musings, Picture of the day, Pubs, Travel, West Yorkshire

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It’s not exactly been a vintage Saturday here at Bigland Towers, not that we’ve spent much of the day at home. The weather here in the Pennines has been erratic to say the least with temperatures just breaking into double figures but often reduced by hazy cloud, poor visibility and a cold wind that made you feel like you’d gone back a season.

Still, we’ve been getting about a bit. Having had to pop over to Ossett this morning we decided to take a detour on the way home and go out for a late lunch at the Robin Hood pub in Pecket Well which we’d visited the other weekend and really enjoyed. Today the pub was quieter as we’d arrived between sittings so getting a table was no problem. I couldn’t resist having the giant stuffed Yorkshire pudding again, only this time with a lamb casserole filling. It was a good job I was hungry as the portion sizes are large, especially when you consider the meal comes with a selection of veg as well as the chips which form part of the main meal. Dawn opted for one of the dishes off the specials board and had Sea Bream, which whilst a smaller portion was just what she was looking for. Both meals were delicious and good value for money in this day and age. My meal cost £12.50 and I had a pint of a decent local draught bitter which was on sale for £3 – winner!

Yum!

Rather than stay for another drink we decided to try out another pub in the nearby village of Chiserley called the Hare and Hounds. It’s a great location as it sits high on the valley side above Hebden Bridge with commanding views across the valley as far as Stoodley Pike and beyond. It looks like a typical country pub from the outside (the inside is another matter).

The Hare and Hounds.

The place is a Timothy Taylor’s pub so only their beers were on sale and there were four to choose from. Not a problem as I don’t mind Tim Taylor’s beers although they’re not my favourite. I ordered a pint of Golden Best and a half pint of coke for Dawn. The bill? 8 bleedin’ quid! £5.50 for the beer and £2.50 for the coke! For a minute I though I was back in London! We stood at the bar as the inside of the pub’s far smaller than the outside suggests, a situation that isn’t helped by all the weird and wonderful tat that clutters the place. The places makes a great play of the fact it’s in Yorkshire (easy to forget when you see the prices) and of the pub name – apart from the problem the decor is mismatched? Why’s the bar cluttered with Alice in Wonderland white rabbit models when it’s called the Hare, and why a huge pictures of a stag – but no hounds? Oh, and as for the loud music…

We finished our drinks swiftly and moved on, still in shock at how much we’d paid. Dawn’s parting comment was ‘thank God I hadn’t asked for a pint of Coke!” To restore our equilibrium we called in at a proper pub with proper prices – the other Robin Hood, this time in Cragg Vale. No robbery happens here, despite the name! There’s no loud music either, just decent conversation as it’s a friendly little place. When paying for our our drinks Dee couldn’t help mention where we’d just come from, which sparked an interesting round of comments from others in the pub who’d had similar experiences. Ah well, you live and learn…

Now we’re back at home and settled in the for night. I’m still stuffed from my earlier meal so there’s no need to eat tonight. Meanwhile Dee’s been busy in the kitchen making one of her fabulous Bakewell Tarts as cooking therapy. Tomorrow’s going to be a domestic day, but we might get out for a walk at some point, but I know one place we won’t be visiting!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

26th March picture of the day…

26 Sunday Mar 2023

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Pubs, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

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We’ve had another quiet(ish) day here at Bigland Towers but that’s mainly because today was chance to relax before a busy week beginning on Monday when the pair of us are off to Nottingham for the Community Rail Network Conference which spans two days.

As the clocks had gone forward, depriving us of an hours sleep we enjoyed a leisurely morning drinking coffee and catching up with friends via social media before brunch, after which we got our acts together to potter around the house doing nothing too ambitious until it was time to get out for a stroll. Today’s weather was dry but cold thanks to the wind-chill. Even the cocoon of cloud over the valley couldn’t keep the heat in. We wandered downhill to the valley floor and Sowerby Bridge in time to pick up some shopping before everywhere closed, then decided to adjourn for a quick drink (and chance to warm up) before heading home. We’d normally have a pitstop at the Hogshead brew house but the place was packed due to them having a band playing. As the pair of us wanted to sit and chat rather than boogie we flagged it and moved on to a pub we rarely visit, the Navigation, which sits above the canal basin. It’s an old pub that had 5 real ales on (I chose the Oakham Citra) but seems as popular for its food as its beer. Many of the other customers were eating and several tables were reserved for later arrivals. The portions look huge and the prices are reasonable. It’s also a dog-friendly pub which makes it ideal for canalside walkers.

The canalside was the route we chose to walk home along as neither have traversed the path since last year. Seeing spring very much in the air added to the pleasure. Now we’re back at home. Dawn’s had the night off as I’ve been on cooking duty. As much as I’ve loved trying all the exotic food I had in SE-Asia, I missed cooking. Like gardening, it’s another of my pleasures/therapies. Tonight we went vegetarian as a rustled up a Chana Masala served with chapattis, the ingredients for which provide the picture of the day…

Preparation is part of the fun of cooking and I love using our selection of bowls which were (mostly) purchased on our travels. The top kne’s from Thailand whilst the blue ones came from Hoi An in Vietnam. The big one full of chickpeas? That’s from somewhere far less exotic. M&S!

Expect a mix of blogs next week as I’ll be traversing a lot of the UK and visiting a variety of locations…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

24th March picture of the day…

24 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Picture of the day, Pubs, West Yorkshire

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Otherwise known as that was the blog that wasn’t! From a writing perspective today’s been the literary version of ‘no comment’. Nothing has happened that isn’t a reprise of earlier in the week apart from the fact it’s Friday, which meant that at the end of the working day I adjourned to our our local pub, the Big 6 – joining friends and other regulars to indulge in the quiz which Mel reads out from the ‘Pub Paper’.

I must admit, I rather enjoy the Friday brain teaser. There’s two different quizzes, one easy and one hard. But it’s a great way to end the working week, especially when the humour, diversions and anecdotes flow which always generate plenty of laughter. Just what you need on a Friday.

Now I’m back at home, writing what’s going to be a very short blog. Dawn’s busy preparing supper, so it’s time for me to go so that we can enjoy some quality time. All that remains is to post today’s picture, which comes from this evening’s session in the 6. The pub maintains four rotating real ale handpumps. The selection changes every few days depending on how busy (and how thirsty) the clientele are. Most of the beers are local and there’s always one dark beer on the second pump, so here’s today’s selection. Oh, did I mention that there’s also free pork pie on the bar on Fridays?

Choose your poison…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

Time in the sun.

05 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in Pubs, Rail Investment, Railways, West Yorkshire

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(Updated 23:00)

I managed to escape from the office again today as I’d arranged to meet a fellow photographer who works in the rail industry to give him a guided tour of locations around Marsden on the Trans-pennine rail route through the Colne valley. I’d been meaning to update my library shots and get some pictures for a client from the area, so this was the perfect opportunity – especially as the sun Gods were smiling upon us.

Trevor and I met on the train at Huddersfield for a trip on a line that (as a man of Kent) he’d not travelled on for donkey’s years. Our first port of call was Marsden, the nearest station to the famous Standedge tunnels, where canal and rail occupy almost the same ground under the Pennines. It’s a fantastic photo location but one that will change dramatically over the next few years when the rail route is electrified.

The only downside nowadays is the monotony of the type of trains. Very little freight uses the route as it has such an intensive passenger service. This is Trans-Pennine Express’s core route. Northern Rail used to operate an hourly all-stations Huddersfield-Manchester service but it’s now operated by TPE. This means the line’s almost completely Class 185 operated which is why the introduction of the TPE’s loco-hauled sets is a welcome break from the monotony.

Having trudged up the incline to a spot above the tunnel entrance the sun smiled, and so did we, as we managed to get a range of pictures in decent weather. Here’s an example.

A TPE Class 185 heads East towards Marsden station which is around a quarter of a mile to the right of the picture. The bridge in the foreground’s an aqueduct which has been rebuilt and renewed by Network Rail. It’s been raised to give sufficient clearance to the overhead wires which are due in the next few years when the line between Leeds and Manchester’s electrified.
A zoomed-in shot from the same location, showing the aqueduct in greater detail. The formation to the right carried tracks through the original single track Standedge tunnels which were built in 1848 and 1871. The present double track rail tunnel was built in 1894. Just behind the train is the Huddersfield narrow canal, its tunnel was opened in 1811. You can learn more about these feats of engineering here. If you’re in the area, I’d recommend the tunnel café and the museum. Both are in the canal basin and a short walk from Marsden station.

Having exhausted the photographic possibilities we changed locations a couple of times to catch one of the new CAF built trains for Northern which was working empty stock from Preston to Huddersfield.

In doing so we missed one TPE’s new Nova 3 sets as we didn’t know the damned thing was running! Here’s the classic view we’d been heading for.

A Manchester bound TPE service approaches the Standedge tunnel. The canal museum and visitor centre I mentioned earlier is in the old transhipment shed to the right of the picture.

By that time the Pennine weather had changed from favourable to fearsome, with cold air and showers sweeping in from the West, so we adjourned to the Riverhead Brewery Tap pub in Marsden, which is a cracking place to stop for a pint before heading back East

Back in Huddersfield we connected with the loco-hauled TPE set we’d missed earlier. Well it would have been rude not to!

Trevor used it to get to Leeds before heading off to Keighley whilst I stayed on as far as York as I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get shots of the set under the magnificent station roof. Luckily, a late-running Siemens set allowed me some nice juxtaposition and a study in front ends.

All in all it’s not been a bad day and a lot less frustrating than yesterday. There’s some useful shots in the bank and for a client. I’ve had chance to explore locations I’ve not visited for a while and I’ve also been able to act as a tour guide for a friend. What more can you ask for?

Home again (naturally).

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Musings, Pubs, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

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Apologies for the lack of blogging these past few days. After all the travelling I’ve been doing, this weekend’s been one for spending time at home and catching up with a shedload of stuff – some work, some pleasure.

As you can imagine, there’s been a huge amount of pictures to edit from the ‘3 peaks by rail challenge’. I finished those yesterday, so tomorrow many people’s inboxes are going to be alive with pictures. I’ve added a selection to my Zenfolio website which you can find here. I’ve also been busy sorting out the pictures from Pembrokshire. You can find the travel ones here and the rail ones here. Oh, I also managed to add a few more old rail slides today. I’ve had them set up ready for scanning but ran out of time. Now I need the desk space. Here’s a sample. The pictures were all taken in the Manchester area back in April 2000. My, how things have changed! People may complain about ‘Pacers’ nowadays but back then many services were operated by life-expired DMU’s like these.

7655. L835 51432 + 51498. 14.02. New Mills - Manchester Piccadilly. New Mills Central.14.4.2000crop

Unfortunately, the good weather we brought back with us from Wales was fleeting, to say the best. I spent several hours tidying up our garden which had run riot over the past week due to all the rain. This was done in muggy weather that never actually graced us with sunshine despite all the teasing. Afterwards, Dawn and I walked down along the canal into Sowerby Bridge to stretch our legs and enjoy a drink. We called into the Hogshead brewhouse.The pub’s started to serve all it’s own brewed beers in a 6 half pint paddle, which is a great idea. Here’s a look at what you can get.

This being ‘flaming June’ we got soaked walking back home as t’heavens decided to dump upon us! Because of the inclement weather we’ve had a quiet night at home in front of the TV. That’s a rare event as I watch so little of it, but we both enjoy ‘Killing Eve’. It’s one of those rare programmes that has everything – great actors, an excellent script and wonderful camera work.

Tomorrow I’m back to the grindstone, but (as usual) there’ll be a variety of work, so expect a few different blogs as I’ve got a backlog of stuff to write about.

Rolling blog: Pembrokeshire travels by rail.

20 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by in Photography, Pubs, Railways, Rolling blogs, Station buffets, Transport, Travel, Wales

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My plans changed today at the last moment so I find myself sampling the railways of Pembrokeshire, starting out at Pembroke Dock.I’d no idea what to expect as I’d never been here before, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the old station building was not only intact – it was also in use as a bar and restaurant! In fact, it has been for the past 26 years, which is pretty good going when you consider the train service is one every two hours! The station Inn is one of those rare beasts nowadays as it’s also a live music venue (I’ll add a link to them later). There’s also a seating area outside for those who want to catch a bit of sun, which is what we’ve got today.

The sparse train service is relaxed to say the least as there’s a long turnaround time here. The inbound working arrived at 12:23 and it’s not due out until 13:09. I’m assuming there must be a crew messroom in the station building somewhere.

13:25

I’m now pootling my way along the branch which is actually very pretty as we pass castles, backyards and countryside whist stopping at a variety of single platform stations and level crossings where our driver still makes liberal use of the train horn – something that’s forbidden on many parts of the network due to complaints from those living alongside the line.13:44.We’ve now left Tenby, the major station on the line. It’s a town I’d never visited until this week but I can see the attraction. It has an interesting history, lovely beaches and good places to eat. Sadly, it’s a bit of a beer desert! Tony’s one of those towns that’s been taken over by the curse of ‘Doom Bar’. In many pubs it’s the only real ale you can find, which is why the arrival of the Tenby Harbour Brewery has been such a saviour!14:51.I’m now kicking my heels in Whitland, which is the junction for the Pembroke Dock line and the routes to Milford Haven and Fishguard. The station has two platforms, a BR(W) era signal box and rudimentary passenger facilities.

The single-storey modern station building is used as a base for Network Rail. At least there’s a platform canopy. Passengers on the Westbound platform have to make do with two bus shelters.

15:46.

I’m now on the 15:44 from Whitland which is heading for Milford Haven from Manchester. When you think about it, that’s quite a long trip. I wonder how many passengers (if any) do it point to point?

The line’s double track as far as Clarbeston Rd where the two lines diverge. The junction’s still controlled by an old GWR brick built signal box. The landscape around here puts me very much in mind of Devon & Cornwall, it’s gently rolling hills and rural nature are very similar, although they have a far better train service!

16:14.

Wer’e now West of Haverfordwest, a two platform station whose brick built buildings look like they date from the early 1950s. Unlike many stations it still sports a goods yard, although I’m pretty certain it’s only used by the occasional engineers train.

16:58.

I’ve arrived at Milford Haven, just over a mile from where I started. It’s another badly truncated branch line that’s seen far better days. After getting a few shots at the station (most if which is now shops) I’ve wandered through the harbour to explore. The inner harbour basin’s full of yachts whilst the quayside is lined with mock warehouse buildings that are a mixture of residential and retail. It’s a far cry from the harbours origins as a massive fish dock. I’m observing all thus from a modern restaurant/bar called The ‘Harbourmaster’ which straddles the yacht basin and the real docks on the other side of the river under the former refineries. The fact they’re mothballed now is evident from their chimneys which are all dead. Tankers still dock her, but only to fill the storage tanks on land.

Rolling blog: Liverpool bound…

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Food and drink, Liverpool, Pubs, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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07:40.

Today many of the ‘Big 6’ gang are on tour to Liverpool to take in some sights, some shops, food and pubs. Unfortunately, the weather’s being less than kind. As I sit and write this the latest rainstorm is just beginning to abate. There’s more forecast throughout the day. The weather may dampen us but it’ll not dampen our spirits. I’ll blog throughout the day, so stay tuned…The rain held off long enough for me to walk to the station and join the merry band. Here’s how the Calder Valley looked on the way.10:01.

Now we’re scattered throughout a packed 2-car Class 156 that’s working the 09:56 to Manchester Victoria. There’s another concert on in this evening so this service is busy carrying fans as well as the normal load of daytrippers.The atmosphere aboard’s happy but damp!

12.29.

The group split at Manchester Victoria because some folk had bought ‘Northern only’ rail tickets, but Northern weren’t running from Victoria to Liverpool today! They headed off to Oxford Rd fir their train whilst the rest of us caught a direct TPE service. It being Saturday, our train was packed with women off to various hen nights.Now we’re in the first of our pubs. Nowadays it’s called ‘The Dispensary’. I remember it by it’s old name, ‘The Grapes’.14:00.Next pub. The Little Grapes.Here’s the crew.

Rolling blog: I love to go a wandering…

22 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in Calder Valley, Food and drink, Pubs, Travel, Walking, West Yorkshire

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It’s bank holiday Monday and the weather’s absolutely stonking! After spending a morning pottering around at home, picture-editing and sorting out some chores Dawn and I are preparing to walk through the Calder Valley to a favourite old haunt, the Robin Hood pub in Cragg Vale, which is a great place for a spot of lunch after a few hours walking. No doubt we’ll have time to post a few pictures and comments later, so watch this space.

15:31.

We’ve stopped for a break at the Shoulder of Mutton in Mytholmroyd after walking down the hill to Sowerby Bridge, crossed the Calder, then slogged uphill to Sowerby on a road I call ‘Lost dreams Rd’ because it’s always littered with failed lottery scratch cards! In the distance you can see our starting point under the Wainhouse Tower.

The view the other way (looking along the valley towards Mytholmroyd) isn’t bad either!

23:18

It’s the end of the day and it’s been a very active one. We made it to the Robin Hood for an excellent Sunday lunch (OK, it’s bank holiday Monday, but never mind) of succulent lamb and Yorkshire puddings, accompanied by a huge amount of vegetables (not in the picture).

For £10, it can’t be beaten. Whilst we were eating a drama was unfolding which made it feel like we were actually in an episode of ‘Emmerdale Farm’, only this wasn’t fiction. Poor Roger (the landlord) and his wife had suffered a serious arson attack and trashing of vehicles on his farm, apparently carried out by some young teenage scrotes who’re causing trouble in the area. The police had arrived to gather information whilst a number of concerned locals were popping in to see if they were alright or offer help. Meanwhile, in the bar, other locals were complaining about the outrageous prices in a nearby pub (which shall remain nameless) and a less than placid relationship between a local couple (who will also remain nameless).

We ended up having a couple of drinks in a very quiet Sowerby Bridge after walking back along the Rochdale canal. I got the impression the good weather had meant that many people had stayed at home with a barbecue and a few beers. Still, we’d had a good days exercise, as the screen for my Fitbit shows.

fitbit

Rolling blog: the Big 6 on tour…

20 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in Food and drink, Lancashire, Pubs, Rolling blogs, The Big 6, Travel

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10:20.

Today a group of friends from the Big 6 pub in Halifax, under the leadership of Tony Allan (of Phoenix Brewery fame) are having a little outing by train, over the Pennines to Rochdale to partake in the Easter ale trail, a new take on the traditional beer festival. It’s another fantastic Spring day here in the Pennines, so the weather’s ideal. Watch out for updates on our (probably unsteady) progress throughout the day! Before we go, Dawn’s been busy in the kitchen as we’re hosting her parents for dinner tomorrow. Last night she prepared a special marinade for this leg of lamb, which will now steep until tomorrow.12:09.

The group rendezvous at Halifax railway station.12:57.

The group outside the first pub of the day – The Flying Horse hotel which has a great view of the Town Hall.Here’s the token system.15:10.

We’re on our third pub and it’s a cracker! It’s The Baum in Toad Lane, a conservation area. The pub is adjacent to the shop where, in 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers opened their first shop and started the co-operative movement back in 1844.This has been our lunch stop and I couldn’t resist ordering a traditional Lancashire delicacy: rag pudding with mushy peas and chips!We’ve now stepped through a door into a 5th dimension where it feels like we’re in London, or Paris, not Rochdale – and Otto’s found the piano..18:10.

We’re now on what’s probably our last pub, which is opposite the Town Hall. The Old Post Office.