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Welcoming …

The Dopey Diva to the world of 4PP’s…

Y Viva El Yeadon !

under the flight path ..

Art Trails and Brewery Taps

An unexpected urban art treasure and favourite brews in Shipley

At home with Gentleman Jack

An amble round Halifaxs Shibden Hall plus the Worlds Smallest Music Venue (allegedly )

Bring me Sunshine ….

A last minute mooch around Morecambe in the Sun

Scarecrows in Seattle

Ok flowerpot men in Settle – community pride in the Dales

Summer stumble round Skipton

A quick soiree to the Craven Market Town … WARNING features gratuitous munching of pork pies !

Getting Festive in the glen

Unique vintage transport and an award winning mutt pub

A matter of left or right ??

Navigational woes on a visit to Thackley Wood

Art Trails and Brewery Beers

Getting Cultured Round Shipley

By LardGoddess

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July 26, 2019

Best laid plans to be good, stay in ,update blog and tidy house were scuppered by England’s agonising defeat in the RL World Cup final , when fresh air and beers were judged the order of the day to get over the disappointment . Suffice to say a decision much welcomed by the Bruce .who’s enthusiasm for probably one of the best games of rugby league ran as far as the usual nose up arse position for the whole of the 80 mins !

Following the Aire Valley Corridor ,Bingley and Saltaire had already been given the 4Paws treatment so progressing onwards,the next town up the valley Shipley was logically our next port of call . Now it be fair , Shipley ….not exactly the buzzing metropolis of the big cities , none of the charm of say Skipton or the history of afore mentioned Saltaire , usually it is just a place we pass through on the way to Leeds , but in its defence it at least has the Leeds Liverpool Canal running through it and we’re a sucker for a good canal walk ….so Shipley it was ..

 Now it be fair , Shipley ….not exactly the buzzing metropolis of the big cities….but …..

Further research via the wonders of CAMRA’s excellent What Pub Guide and Keighley Bus Company’s onboard wi-fi brought even more joy as I discovered the Saltaire Brewery’s Onsite Tap was indeed mutt friendly and located canal side just outside the town ,getting better and better ,urban waterside rambles and Saltaire Blonde one of my favs in copious amounts , what’s not to like ?

After the One of the first things you are drawn to in the canal basin at Saltaire is not Titus Salts imposing Victorian Mill , or the intricately painted barges but a large green metal octopus sat on a wall end ridiculously out of place .I’ve often wondered why it was there but a walk a few hundred meters towards Shipley revealed its origins .

The Aire Sculpture Trail was created 4 years ago and has 15 fun bits of artwork (including the afore mention octopus )along its mile(ish ) route to the far side of Shipley .Diverting from our original plan of  we decided to give it a go and what a great surprise. Ok so the scenery itself might not be outstanding running alongside the River Aire through a few footpaths that could do with a good litter pick but the sculptures make up for that .

Usually trails like this are full of very ‘WTF Is that meant to be’ pieces that no doubt some arty farty types will tell you have hidden depths , whereas these little beauties don’t take themselves too seriously ,think more Wallace and Gromit than Henry Moore ! I’ve included pics of a couple but no more wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise !

think more Wallace and Gromit than Henry Moore ! 

The Trail is a nice diversion but just be aware that parts of the route does include some unfenced areas along the fast running river so leads are a must.

 

Back from Baildon Bridge ,a ten minute stroll on the Canal out of Shipley took us to the Saltaire Brewery and its Brewery Tap, directly accessible straight off the towpath,, A decent outside space with benches and tables ideal for more temperate days , complements a no frills interior in the Tap itself again with 3 or 4 long tables and bench seating makes for a convivial atmosphere that encourages conversation between drinkers  

 makes for a convivial atmosphere that encourages conversation between drinkers….

 The usual initial enquiry about the their dog policy lead us to being directed towards two tins on the bar top ,Quality Street for human guests and treats for the canine variety- result !

Beers included a full range from the Brewery , some special one off brews ( I’m happy to be a Beverage Guinea Pig !) several guests and lots of different bottles . The Tap also includes a small shop selling Salts finest both in traditional glass and in DIY small kegs and appeared to be doing a roaring trade .

 Indeed our table companions were having a quick pit stop after travelling 20 miles to pick up supplies for replicating the Salts Brewery experience at home and we were introduced to Bonny their 8 month old border collie who took an immediate shine to F**wit . Unfortunately Bruce had his best old man head and was suitably unimpressed with the antics of a mere pup, happy to show his disapproval from the safety of my knee .

 One pint of blonde down and it was only right to try the seasonal ˜White Christmas and mighty fine it was , and make mental note to self to come back with transport for supplies when we are with transportation. 

one pint of blonde down and it was only right and proper  to try the seasonal ˜White Christmas’ and mighty fine it was …

 Bonny and her owners departed to return to Heckmondwike and were replaced by a couple of hardy walkers who had treked in from Leeds on the tow path and were staying in Bingley that night , Much fussing of Bruce and swapping of some to be pursued pub / walk recommendations followed before we went our separate ways conscious of the ever fading December light on the canal bank and the ever increasing chance of a watery end to our visit back in Shipley we made our way to the Fox , a single room micropub style place close to Shipley Station, with possibly the best website I’ve seen for a pub , their 360 degree online pub tour is just brilliant .

 We hadn’t even got our drinks before Bruce was accosted by a lad sat at the bar who to be fair had probably had just one over the edge .He’d just had his elderly Border T put to sleep in the last week and the hurt was obviously still there but he could see a lot of his beloved pooch in our little hooligan .When another lad came in with another terrier , we spent a happy half hour swapping stories of our own ‘little s**t ( it’s something that we’ve noticed frequently on our travels that us owners of our pugnacious little fluff balls tend to stick together ! )

 Not sure about the Christmas Tunes as background music in the Fox though the incomparable ˜Fairytale of New York ˜ did suit the beery cheery atmosphere on a cold December afternoon . Beers good , company ace in a pub that doesn’t  appear to take itself too seriously ,love the place and a great end to an unexpectedly fine afternoon out.

 

LardGoddess
LardGoddess

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