Thursday 20th

Not so busy today
Roma went to the Halifax Minster, the new name for our ancient Parish Church, where she helps out as a ' welcommer ' for visitors.

The Terriers enjoyed a romp on Norland Moor, but Jessie now knows where to stay digging to try and find some creature under a rock.

This evening we went out to Ripponden but The Fox was not serving food so we tried the Turnpike on Rishworth Moor, it has been much upgraded and the food and attention by the staff was excellent. Quite busy and some Motor Bikers were in the Bar and sitting out on the front tables.
From the front you can watch the traffic on the M62 beyond the Reservoir.

In Ripponden we saw the newly erected ' Blue Plaque ' on a house stating that the Co-op Store was opened here in 1832. It is a project by Ryburn History Group who claim the Co-op was a first before the famous one in Rochdale

YESTERDAY

We went over from Halifax to Kingston Upon Hull, to firstly have coffee with a former Uganda friend and to check the family graves in North Ferriby churchyard, found everything in good order.

Then into the City and found a parking place behind CERUTI's Restaurant where we enjoyed the view over the River Humber from the first floor Dining Room. An excellent place for good FISH.

A quick drive into the centre to locate the new City Archives and History Centre, look forward to a future visit as our family archives which were deposited in the University archives are now amalgamated into this very new and exciting History centre.

Then to Thorngumbald to see cousin Janet. Her garden is as usual most attractive and the Terriers liked the new smells but were stopped from crawling under the fence. Janet always has treats for them when we visit.

On the return we diverted to Swanland, my home village, to buy a loaf of bread and a break to look at the views from the top of Mill Road.

The M62 had been very busy when we started in the morning but by the evening was quieter and we had a clear run home

Sowerby Bridge Day

Today started and finished with Sowerby Bridge

For lunch we met a friend at The Moorings situated on Sowerby Bridge Canal Wharf [ or Basin, depends on choice of name ]

For many years we leased the site from British Waterways and started its restoration as our main Canal Tourism Centre in the area.

Shire Cruisers Ltd Canal Holiday Hire, was our venture and now sold on a great success.

The Moorings was the first Pub Restaurant to be opened at the Wharf and has recently undergone a refurbishment and with is new Menu's is attracting a lot of custom.

In the sun one can sit outside bt we prefer to sit where we look out onto the Canal and the view to Wainhouse Tower, a main attraction in the area.

To finish today I went to the monthly lecture of the Halifax Antiquarian Society which was on the history of Sowerby Bridge Town Hall, opened in 1856 by Sir Henry Edwards, with a Masonic Ceremony.

The Hall part was demolished some years ago to become the Car Park for Lloyds Bank which remains in the building as well as the retained Clock Tower, a prominent feature when crossing the Bridge over the River Calder.

The illustrated lecture was given by local historian David Cliff who has also published a book of old photographs of the Town.

Dog Walking

A nice sunny afternoon, although the short rain in the morning was welcome for the garden.

We took our Terriers Poppy and Jessie for a run on their favourite Norland Moor this time to the paths where there a a number of seats we can rest on while they root around in the small stream running by.

There were lots of other dogs on walks and our managed to get into TWO scraps, first with a wire haired terrier and the owner had to jump into the stream to get his dog away from ours, they just did not like each other.And then we reached the last seat by the stream another dog, much bigger and very friendly, came rushing up and suddenly a fight started. We think Jessie, the Border type is the one that gets ' stuck in ' first. No damage done and Jessie put on the lead again.

Then 2 ladies with collies, and throwing balls for them - Poppy likes that game and was away chasing until they went some distance and she decided we were the best company.

We next encountered a Horse and Rider and the dogs decided it was too big to tackle and stayed quite.

We then went for a drink, wine for Roma and a Beer for me at the Spring Rock Pub near the Moor, a favourite place for the locals.

On the way home called at a Garden centre for a bag of compost.

Sunday in Halifax

A nice day - our daughter came over and took Roma to Church and then we visited a new [ renovated ] Public House Restaurant for Lunch. Named Crossroads and situated on the hills above our town with nice long views over the Pennine Moors.

It is owned by the famous Yorkshire Brewery Timothy Taylors of Keighley and has been completely renovated and has 6 ensuite bedrooms and a nice Bar & Restaurant.

Food was Sunday Lunch Carvery type, I had Lamb and the Yorkshire Puddings were very good and not soggy ! Excellent choice of Vegetables and Puds - I had a Yorkshire Rhubarb Crumble type.

The Manager was born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe as was our daughter when I was working at the Kariba D am.

He appears to be an expert on Wines from South Africa and runs a company to import them, so again a good selection.

Then after lunch I went to support Halifax Rugby League Club at The Shay Stadium, in the new East Stand - our team had a tough match against Barrow, but our defence was very good and the result was a win 46 - 24 for Halifax