It’s getting late here at Bigland Towers meaning I don’t have enough time to do the day justice in a blog – especially as we’ve had a great day exploring. Instead I’ll you with a series of pictures as a teaser for a longer blog tomorrow when I have time to write.
We made the most of the glorious weather today by nipping out for a walk around Ogden water country park which is north of Halifax on the road to Haworth and Keighley. The area offers some outstanding views across West Yorkshire. Here’s a few pictures. Firstly, and oddity…
We noticed this collection of old tram rails that had been used to build a platform in a field adjacent to the A629. They must be pretty old as the Halifax network closed in 1939 whilst Bradford trams finished running in 1950. Looking South-East across the Ogden reservoir from the moors above. The cliffs at Ogden Clough.The view from atop the cliffs.Having walked across the moors to Ogden Clough we walked back along the wooded stream which feeds the reservoir.Looking back across the reservoir from the dam, we’d walked up high above to near the wind turbines you can see in the background.
After the walk we decided to explore. I looked up a nearby real ale pub in the Good Beer Guide and we headed off to try somewhere different in an area neither of us had explored before. I’ll blog about what we found at length tomorrow, but here’s a taster.
En-route we discovered this magnificent 20 arch Thornton railway viaduct which was built by the Great Northern Railway and opened in 1878 in but abandoned in 1966. Thornton’s the birthplace of a rather famous Yorkshire literary family – as we found out…
OK, more tomorrow,
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After Thursday’s ‘grand tour’ around West Yorkshire I had a day off from blogging yesterday in order to spend time editing and adding captions to the dozens of pictures I took on the trip. You can find them on my Zenfolio website in the following galleries;
To be honest, as Friday was a crap day after the glorious weather we’d had 24 hours before it really wasn’t a bad time to be stuck behind a desk! I’d have been happy to have sat through a good storm but all we got was cold, wind and desultory rain, which was troubling as we need so much more due to the fact we’re experiencing a dry year with minimal rainfall.
Today was more of an Easter celebration. Dawn was up early as she was helping her parents who had to come over to Calderdale in order that her mum could see some hospital specialists. I won’t go into details (it was nothing to worry about) but the plan was that after all it was over the four of us would go into Halifax for a late lunch at a place called ‘La Luna’ – an establishment where Dee and I have often enjoyed brunch. Maybe because it’s Easter or maybe because the weather had picked up, but Halifax was buzzing. The Piece Hall was hosting a variety of artisan market stalls which were drawing in the crowds – as we found out when we walked to and from the restaurant. There’s no doubt the town’s fortunes as a tourist destination are on the up so I was glad I’d booked our table at La Luna in advance as it became very busy after we arrived. La Luna’s in an excellent location only a few minutes from the Piece Hall. The restaurant’s well-designed with plenty of room and lots of attentive and friendly staff. Funnily enough, us two couples ordered the same food. Dawn and I went for the lamb kofta whilst John and Norah (being gluten free) both ordered the sea bass risotto. All four of us enjoyed our meals although we struggled to finish them. Admittedly, the fact chunky chips were supplied as part of the deal didn’t help – other than as a carb overload!
Lamb kofta with peppers served on a bed of pitta bread and topped with yoghurt
Back at Bigland Towers the Platt’s collected their own car whilst Dawn and I went for a local walk to try and work off some of the food! Our local woods are bursting into life right now with the first bluebells starting to bloom making it a lovely place to walk. Admittedly, we did end up in our local pub for a ‘swifty’ before returning, but hey – it’s a holiday!
Today’s Big 6 beers. I love the ‘wobbly bob’ but at 6% one pint was enough. I’m a great fan of Phoenix beers as their creator was an old friend, but Pictish are in the running…
This evening (back at home) Dee and I are finding that eating so much red meat is laying heavily on us as nowadays our diet is mostly vegetarian, although both fish and white meat do feature, so the surfeit of lamb is having unfortunate side effects. Just as well we’re on our own really, whilst we recreate the bean eating scene from ‘Blazing Saddles’!
Tomorrow we have a day to ourselves. The weather’s looking good so the plan is to get out for a walk – although we’ve not decided where yet. Tomorrow we’ll be taking sandwiches – but they won’t be lamb…
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I’ve had a busy time at home these past few days (hence a lack of blogging) but today we have lost of sunshine in ‘God’s own country’, so I’m going to get out and about on the rails across West Yorkshire in order to make the most of the weather. I’ll be blogging throughout the day, so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to. But first, it’s time to pack the camera bag and head off to Halifax station…
1050.
I’ve made it as far as Shipley. Having walked into Halifax I arrived just in time to walk straight onto a Blackpool – York service which was rammed, despite it being operated by a 3-car Class 195. Mind you, the amount of buggies and double buggies getting off and on along the narrow platform didn’t exactly help matters.
Standing as far as Bradford Interchange where I disembarked, wasn’t too big a deal. I’ve not traversed the city centre for a while so I was pleasantly surprised at the way it’s being pedestrianised.
The greatly improved space outside Interchange station..The busy roads that used to cut off Interchange from the rest of the city centre have been done away with, opening up the area outside the fantastic Town Hall.
Another change is over at Forster Square Station, where the arches that provided refuge to many homeless people and their tents have been blocked off. I hope the people displaced have been found permanent accommodation and not just displaced
Hiding a real problem with artwork?
The station’s new fourth platform is now complete and waiting to enter service from the new timetable.
12:30.
I spent some time exploring Shipley to check on the progress of the new Shipley depot which is being built on the site of the old Crossley Evans scrapyard site (which took over the former railway goods yard). Progress is slow as there was a lot of clearance work needed. Now groundworks have started whilst site clearance continues. Rather ironically, Northern are gaining this new depot due to the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (which is funding it) as the TRU work around Leeds will severely hamper Northern operations at the Leeds Neville Hill depot. Here’s some pictures of progress.
Looking across the main part of the depot nearest the station seen from the Valley Rd (A6037) bridge which bisects the site. The site seen from nearer Bradford, taken from a footbridge. Warning! This area is rough – even the XL Bully’s walk around in twos! Looking back across the site from the rubbish-strewn footpath that leads from Otley Rd to the station. I explore all these insalubrious places so that you don’t have to!
Right now I’m taking a quick break in Leeds before heading towards Huddersfield to check on TRU work…
17:30.
I’m back in Leeds after having visited Morley, Mirfield, Huddersfield and Dewsbury. I’d not traversed the line from Leeds to Morley for sometime so I was surprised to see how far electrification has progressed (just don’t talk about White Rose station). Bailing out at Morely I headed up to a footbridge I know that’s East of the station to get this shot.
The footbridge replaces a foot crossing which has a tragic history. That history is recognised by Network Rail who’ve named their access point in remembrance.
Next stop was Mirfield where the rebuilt station’s coming on great guns. Here’s the new station entrance under construction.
Meanwhile, in Huddersfield, the restoration of the station roof is starting to see the light of day…
19:10.
Home time. I spent time in Leeds getting a variety of library shots but the day’s moving on and so am I. I’m on a train from Leeds to Chester which has just left Bradford (or Bratfud, as they say in these parts). Clouds are rolling in, heralding the fact tomorrow’s meant to be another wet day – although wet is very subjective as all we’ve seen this week has been drizzle at best.
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Oh, and a cartoon. Thanks to the orange felon in the American White House the world is still taking a very surreal turn right now – and there’s no sign of the madness abating. Far from it. Trump’s on again, off again tariffs and trade war, his threatened annexation of Greenland and his slavish sucking up to Vladimir Putin look to be a farce that will be playing for quite some time yet. No-one has a clue what he’ll do next – including (it seems) Trump himself! All we do know is that America’s reputation is going down the pan at a pace faster than Tesla’s share price!
Meanwhile, here at Bigland Towers, life continues regardless of the insanity across the pond. Dawn’s back working from home this week and I’m continuing with a spring clean that seems to be getting ever more complex as I wade through stuff we’ve both accumulated over the years. Some of it will end up on eBay later this week but other stuff is being gathered together and stored in the loft as we reckon car boot sales will be a good way to offload it at a decent price for minimal effort. Well, that’s the theory, anyway!
Sadly, the run of good weather we’ve had these past couple of weeks is drawing to a close. Rain is forecast later this week, but that’s no bad thing as we’ve had a very dry year so far. Admittedly, It may impede me getting out with the camera for a few days but as I’ve plenty to keep me occupied with at home I can put up with that. Mind you, Thursday’s looking promising and as I’ll be probably be stir-crazy by then I might have a day out locally. Besides, we’re in Shropshire for a few nights next week, so it’s not as if I’m stuck here forever.
Right, it’s getting late so it’s time to go. I’ll leave you with a picture from last week’s travels. I hadn’t realised that Guildford had a Lewis Carroll connection, so I was surprised to see this charming sculpture in a park by the river Wey.
Alice and the white rabbit. With more details in this link.
Oh, I also promised you a cartoon. I couldn’t resist this Cartland illustration of Donald Trump’s posturing on tariffs and China.
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/
Sorry, I got a bit lost on our return from Surrey as there’s been a lot to do – hence the lack of blogs. The journey back was fine. It’s the first time when we’ve travelled to and from West Yorkshire to Surrey and back when we’ve had wall to wall sunshine in each direction – even the traffic played ball and the absence of roadworks ‘up North’ (where converting the M1 to a ‘smart’ motorway took years) was a welcome change. The only thing that made the journey a bit edgy was Yorkshire drivers who saw lane discipline and speed limits as optional.
Friday was a chance to revel in the glorious weather and adjust to being back home. Dee had the day and pottered around at home whilst I managed to get out for a walk whilst preparing to edit the hundreds of pictures I’d taken over our Southern sojourn. Admittedly, I did get chance to indulge in the Friday night quiz in our local pub and catch up with Friends.
However, Saturday saw me glued to my office as I edited picture after picture ready for adding captions -another marathon task as I identify locations and individual train workings. Now that task is done and the pictures have been added to my Zenfolio website. You can find the images in these falleries.
The only shots I have left to list are the ones from my HS2 site visit. Expect those to appear tomorrow.
Today’s been rather a more active day as we travelled over to Huddersfield to see Dawn’s parents (dropping off supplies and staying for a chat) before heading back to the Calder valley and a stroll around Norland Moor, which we spy across the Calder valley from our bedroom window. Admittedly, we were up there late in the day but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so devoid of other walkers – and their dogs!
Now we’re back at home and preparing for the week ahead, which will see me based at home, catching up on lots of stuff whilst planning for future trips (we’re off to Shropshire soon). Right now I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is a view from the edge of Norland Moor looking home.
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/
Whilst Dawn has taken her niece and nephew out for lunch I’m opting for another day exploring the railways and countryside around Guildford. We still have a lot of sunshine in this neck of the woods although it’s tempered with intermittent cloud and a wind that makes the weather feel positively Baltic when you’re caught out in it – which I have been. After catching a train from Farnham my first stop was a footbridge North of the station which affords great views across the three rail lines converging on the station. Thankfully it also provides some shelter from the wind!
Here’s a few sample shots.
The venerable Class 455s still work many Guildford – Waterloo services via Effingham Jn. I didn’t expect to see one of these at Guildford. The Alstom built Class 458s have had a chequered history, having been rebuilt twice since they were introduced. Normally they can be found on Waterloo-Reading services. The first of the Class 444s (001) arrives via the direct line from Woking with a Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour service. Whilst Guildford is very much SWR territory, GWR run a half-hourly service from Reading to Gatwick airport. Here’s a train bound for the airport arriving.
OK, now it’s time to explore more…
16:15.
I’m back in Guildford after a gorgeous walk Southwards along the river Wey to Shalford. I’ll add more detail soon, but right now – here’s a few pictures.
The river Wey and Guildford rowing club who were making the most of the weather.A world War Two pill box guarding the West bank of the River Wey. It was only when I wandered further down this footpath that I realised it was an old railway. Shalford Junction used to be a triangle, and this was the Southern side. I’ve no idea when it closed – other than before 1939, obviously!
A pair of Class 450 Desiros head down the main line at Shalford Junction with the line to Dorking and Redhill in the middle distance.
GWR’s 165106 approaches Shalford whilst working a service from Reading to Gatwick Airport. On my return to Guildford I returned to the footbridge I was at earlier because the light had moved round into a position I don’t normally see as I’m only here in the morning. Here’s 444033 leading 444028 on 2P56, the 1558 from Fareham to London Waterloo.
21:00.
I’m now back in Tilford after a lovely day where I got to explore an area I’d not visited before and one that threw up some great photo opportunities thanks to the weather. Tomorrow our Surrey sojourn ends as the pair of us return to West Yorkshire, but we’ll be back…
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/
I’m not used to this anymore! I was rudely awoken by the alarm which I’d set for 06:30 – not something I’ve had to do for a while. The reson for getting up at such an hour is I need to get into Farnham to catch a train into London before heading North to Rickmansworth, ready for an HS2 railways site visit (more of which later). Darkest Tilford isn’t the easiest place to get to/from but Dawn’s kindly offered to give me a lift to the station. I’ll blog and post pictures throughout the journey and explain more about what it is I’ve been invited to see later…
08:15.
I’ve made it as far as Farnham on what’s a beautiful morning – but bloody chilly! The fields surround Tilford are coated in frost, which makes for a lovely vista. I’ve I wasn’t travelling I’d have been tempted to wander with the camera locally. As it is I’m now waiting for the 08:34 to take me to Guildford. Farnham station’s busy with commuters such as these who catching a direct service into the capital as I arrived.
08:45.
I’m now on the first train of the day, a virtually empty 4-car Desiro. It’s quiet as the set has just come empty out of the sidings where it reversed after working in from Guildford. Plus, a London direct train runs ahead of it by just a few minutes.
Just 3 to a car…
09:20.
My plan to get a few quick pics at Guidford fell by the wayside when I ended up in conversation about railways with the Conductor of my train as he was intrigued as to how and why I was going to Rickmansworth (he’d noticed my ticket destination earlier). I nearly missed my connection as a result! Fortunately, the Waterloo train left from the adjacent platform. The 5-car Class 444 that formed it was already very busy, leaving few seats available to Guildford passengers. Apparently, vandalism at Portsmouth was causing delays and cancellations on our route, so I was probably lucky my train was on time.
Right now we’re speeding along the South-western main line, non-stop from Woking to Waterloo.
10:00.
After grabbing a few quick shots at Waterloo, I headed for the underground and a trip on the Bakerloo line, which has the oldest trains on the network. They should have been replaced years ago, but Transport for London has been strapped for cash, so these 40 odd year old trains soldier on, unloved and unkempt. They’re in a right old state inside and out. Riding the line’s reminiscent of the New York subway in the bad old days.
14:30.
I’m here at the HS2 Chiltern tunnel South portal where the porous portals that prevent sonic booms have bern completed. They’re fascinating examples of civil engineering problem-solving – and an interesting optical illusion.
Inside the Southbound tunnel.The portal itself.Looking down on the Northbound portal. The air pressure holes and taper of the porous portal are more obvious.
18:15.
That was a really interesting day. Having the opportunity to talk to the engineers (male and female) who are responsible for designing and executing these major projects is a real privilege.
Having been deposited back at Rickmansworth station, I retraced my route back to London, stopping off on the way to get a few pictures at various stations along the line to Baker St.
Metropolitan line S stock in the turnback siding North of Harrow-on-the-Hill station.Jubilee line trains pass at Finchley Rd.
Back at Waterloo I made time to check out the Railway Heritage trust exhibition outside the old Eurostar platforms. The trust are showcasing the import work they do helping to restore the UKs railway heritage with grants and advice on restoring station buildings and other items across the network.
I made one last stop at Clapham Junction to make the most of the glorious weather in order to capture images of the old Class 455 trains that are still in daily service despite being well past their sell-by date.
Who’d have thought these old girls would still be the mainstay of SWR suburban services in 2025!A pair of SWR Desiros pass Clapham and head for Waterloo with London’s ever-changing skyline as a backdrop.
Right now I’m standing in a vestibule on the 18:02 from Clapham to Alton, which is absolutely rammed.
10 cars of human sardines. But I thought everyone worked from home nowadays?
18:30.
Thankfully, a large portion of my fellow passengers left at West Byfleet, which has allowed the rest of us to get seats – and me to charge my phone!
I’m reflecting on the fact today is my first (albeit brief) visit to London in 2025, which seems bizarre as it’s a city I called home for 25 years, but then Asia beckoned earlier this year and I answered the call.
21:10.
Time to bring this blog to a close. I’m back at Chez Platt in Tilford and winding down for the evening. I’ve added several more pictures from today but now Dawn and I are having some quality time together before another busy day tomorrow. See you then!
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/
Welcome to another week in the political and economic madness that’s currently gripping the planet as the orange rapist in the White House single-handedly wrecks the world’s economy. I could spend a whole blog raging about the insanity that’s overtaken us thanks to Trump, but I’m going to save that for another day.
Despite the economic clouds gathering the actual weather here in the UK has been one blessed with wall to wall sunshine. As Dawn had a late night ‘gassing’ with her niece the day didn’t start quite as early as I’d hoped, but the two of us did manage to venture into nearby Guildford by early afternoon. Both of us are fans of the town as it’s a place we’ve got to know well over the past few years. What we like is the range of shops on offer, despite it having suffered losses due to the economic impacts that have hit many places it’s not all chains and charity shops. Far from it, there’s a great range of shops catering for what’s obviously an affluent part of the country. Le Creuset outlets rub shoulders with boutiques, Barbour and Body Shop (remember them). There’s even real bookshops as Waterstones maintain a high street presence. Plus, the town has a glorious range of old buildings that make wandering its narrow streets a delight.
1683? Gosh, time’s flying…
Then there’s the restaurants.Having spent more than we intended on household and other items we adjourned to a pub beer garden to soak up the sun for an hour before eating at a restaurant we’ve frequented several times in the past. La Casita serves up a great range of Mediterranean food – especially tapas. Here’s a few samples.
Grilled sardines – gorgeous.Prawns Pil Pil…Beans with chorizo and black pudding
What was lovely about our gad about Guildford was the fact it was just the two of us, normally we’re here with the rest of the Platt clan, so our day was more intimate.
Now the pair of us are back at Chez Platt getting ready for different days tomorrow. I’ll be heading into London as I have a High Speed 2 railway construction media visit to attend, so expect a rather different blog. I’ll be back in Tilford tomorrow night after what should prove to be a very interesting day visiting something that’s unique to UK railway construction.
In the meantime, goodnight!
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/
The weather’s been absolutely glorious down here in Surrey today, but from what I’m hearing a lot of the UK has enjoyed the same. We’ve had wall to wall sunshine and cloudless skies throughout. The only blemishes have been the vapour trails of multitudes of aircraft heading to/from South-East England airports and beyond. Of course, that will have worked the ‘chemtrail’ conspiracy loons into a frenzy but that’s the modern world for you. Logic and reason have become so passé in the 21st century – just look at America!
Back in Surrey I took the opportunity to enjoy time in my brother-in-laws garden, producing some vitamin D whilst Dawn pottered around the house doing sisterly stuff, after which we had to head into Farnham to pick up food shopping for the next few days. The main roads in this neck of the woods were chokka, whilst the supermarket was blissfully quiet compared to back in West Yorkshire, where the fact they’re only open for 6 hours on a Sunday normally generates the sort of panic buying you’d expect if it was announced world war 3 was starting first thing Monday morning!
Back at home we dropped off the shopping but picked up ‘Tilly’, the Platt family cairn terrier who accompanied us on a long walk through Tilford and on to Hankley Common, an area of sandy woodlands, small hills and a golf course which is criss-crossed by footpaths and bridleways.
We really enjoyed the opportunity to explore and soak up the sun in the company of a four-legged friend. There was a suitable refreshment stop too in the shape of the Duke of Cambridge pub which is also home to the Tilford brewery. Sadly, the pub only had one of their beers available on hand pump, the 3.9% ‘Hankley Gold’ but that was much appreciated on a day like today!
Now we’re kicking back a Chez Platt. I’m blogging whilst Dawn’s busy in the kitchen, chatting to her Niece. But, I do have company!
A rather ‘cream-crackered’ dog…
Tomorrow, the plan is for the pair of us to have a day in Guildford, browsing the shops and enjoying a late lunch. I might even have chance to get a few railway pictures, who knows? In the meantime, here’s a few shots from today.
The sandy expanse of Hankley Common.Spring is here!For a small dog, Tilly has a lot of stamina – and she loves Dawn!
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The pair of us are back in Tilford, Surrey after what was one of the best road trips to this neck of the woods that we’ve had for quite some time. Our trip was free of the roadworks that have bedeviled us in recent years and traffic was lighter than expected. We also had wall to wall sunshine all the way. I can’t think of the last time we covered such a large part of the country without the weather changing en-route.
What did change was the flora, the South is more advanced when it come to spring, with leaf-growth far more in evidence. That said, there’s an explosion of Hawthorn blossom, with the white flowers providing a gorgeous display right across the country, in a welcome sign that winter’s over. Now we’ve settled in to Bigland Towers in exile, ready for the next few days of our Surrey sojourn.
As tomorrow’s Sunday our activities will be restricted to staying local. We’ve some shopping to do and a dog to walk, which will get us out and about. Not so much me you understand. I’ve always led an active life, but poor Dawn spends much of her working day chained to a desk. For the next few days those shackles have been broken. No doubt I’ll be taking the camera with me tomorrow, so expect a fresh picture or two. In the meantime, here’s today’s, which is a closer look at something we’ve been seeing all along our route today…
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
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Paul Bigland 