Kirkstall Abbey

I can't remember the last time we visited Kirkstall Abbey on the outskirts of Leeds so we took the opportunity of a quiet day to venture out. As you can see we were blessed with great weather once again.

Info for those interested! 

The site is in a very residential area, by the River Aire

On the day we visited it was very quiet...

...just a few young families enjoying picnics in the sun.

Still impressive after all this time.

A wander around Bingley

After all the excitement of the weekend Tine left me home alone to spend a few days in London with Nadine (& a great time they had too). I decided to have a stroll round Bingley, the town we lived in for 22 years (and me for three years as a student teacher in the 70s).

The arrow points to our house!

Tine's first job was at Damart, a French company still going strong in Bingley.

The Old White Horse pub where we spent many a night when I was a student at Bingley College.

There was no beer garden then.

From the White Horse you can walk along the original (cobbled) main street...

... towards the parish church

The 'new' main street (built in 1904) cut through the graveyard, part of which can still be seen.

The Brown Cow is over the bridge from the White Horse. This is where we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with friends.

I'm now walking on the bridge between the two pubs. No herons to be seen today!

This footbridge replaced a tunnel under the railway line, mysteriously called Treacle Cock Alley.

It now spans the railway and a by-pass. The canal had to be moved to make room for the fast road.

One of the locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, very near where we used to live.

Some new artwork by the locks.

Finally the First School where Matthieu, Nadine & Philippe attended, five minutes' walk from chez nous.

I hope you've noticed the blue sky!

Golden wedding celebrations (2)

 Next day it was time to celebrate with the family.

The four siblings together: Pete, Dave, Kate & Ann

Oldest nephew Mike with Nadine, Rachael and Vics.

Ann & Kate talking to Vics' partner Ste.

Three of our four great-nephews & nieces. Sadly Rob, Laura & Maliyah couldn't make it this time.

 

Son-in-law Simon with Nadine & Betty. You can just make out Alfie far left.

Kate, Ste, Vics, Rachael & Ann all ready to eat!

Tine gets in on the action.

Rach with two of her favourite uncles.

Tine  & Pete

Ste & Steve, a regular at our family celebrations!

Outside Kate & Ann having a 'chin-wag', Vics behind.

The two brothers again.

Ann, Philippe, Betty & Si.

Another successful meet-up, hopefully to be repeated before too long.

Golden wedding celebrations (1)

Yes, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary shortly after arriving in the UK. We weren't sure how many people would turn up but as you can see we had a great night.

The happy couple with a beautiful bouquet from Jean & Monique in La Tranche.

Tine with one of her favourite children! Philippe & Nadine pretended they were in Sheffield (even sending a photo wishing us a good evening) so it was a fantastic surprise to see them waiting for us at the pub.

My old mate Welsh Dave (yet another Brace of Daves).

Lindsay, Tine's penfriend from the 60s and the reason she came to England in 1973, along with ex-Middle School pupil Angela.

Matt couldn't make it but some of his mates did. Marc, Catherine & Martin surrounding Nadine.

My old Secondary School buddy Simon with Sarah, and their two children Alyssia & James, plus Martin Schwaller who drove all the way over from Anglesy to join us!

A couple more Middle School colleagues, Gill & Helen with their husbands Andy & Mo. We've had many a good night with these four!

Two of Phil's mates made it too: Jimmy & Jack now both dads themselves!

Old Bingley College friends Sue, Cathy, Welsh Dave, Lindsay plus Angela. That's another Phil to the left.

As I said Matt couldn't come over but he did adapt the first photo in Manga style. Love it!

Wow, what a night. Sadly some friends were singing that evening, and no photos of Steve or Lindsey B. 

And they're off again

This time back to the UK in 'our year of the holiday'.

A slightly different view of St Malo, taken from a brand new ferry (the 'Saint Malo' 😂) 

Near our cabin was an odd view of the bar below!

After a good journey up through England here we are at our caravan park.

You can make out Baildon Moor behind the caravans.

Tine took some photos without me: the pathway up to the moor is pretty steep for me still.

As you can see we had good weather.

Evidence of a medieval bell pit where coal was once mined.

Of course there's also the view looking down on the Aire Valley and across to Bradford.

This view is at the bottom of the park, and our route for...

...the Old Glen House and a very welcome pint!