Happy Days – Boyhood adventures! This little story describes some of the adventures with my childhood best friend Graham in the 1950s. Those were wonderful days, carefree, happy, fascinating, and full of discovery. We were true adventurers!
I was born in 1946 and I grew up as a boy in the 1950s and as a teenager from the late 50s to the early 60s. Last year my very best friend from those boyhood days passed away. Although we’d lost contact with each other for some of our adult life, we found each other again on Friends Reunited around about the year 2000 and we kept in touch and met each other frequently since then. I have very many happy memories of our time together and this story is both a tribute to him and what I hope is an interesting and amusing record of our boyhood adventures. Enjoy!
We lived close to the western Surrey Hills south of Aldershot and Farnham. This area became our playground. Much of the story which follows is set amongst these beautiful Hills.
My very best friend throughout my childhood, right from early days, was Graham Brooks.
Photo of Graham and me when we were small. The edge of the copse is in the background to the right marked by the oak tree. Aldershot Gasometer in the background]
We had great fun together. Once we were old enough, we started to venture out, and this little story describes some of our adventures. Those were wonderful days, carefree, happy, fascinating, and full of discovery. We were true adventurers!
The Settle to Carlisle Railway is a 72-mile scenic railway line in northern England. It runs from Settle Junction to Carlisle, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. The line is known for its beautiful views, tunnels, and viaducts
September 2024
The Settle to Carlisle Railway was almost closed in the 1980s. British Rail proposed closing the line. However, a public campaign saved it. As we saw with our own eyes now the passenger numbers are high. Our train was pretty full with sightseeers holiday makers and train enthusiasts.
I have always wanted to travel on the Settle to Carlisle Railway line and see the Ribblehead viaduct. So, Carol and I planned a train holiday north to see it. We had a great time!
The viaduct is a stunning piece of Victorian engineering in an iconic location in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales straddling a rough, boggy valley. A majestic sight in this quiet corner of the Dales. For Photos of the train ride and stations click HERE.
We had a very smooth round trip by train from Lewes via Leeds & Harrogate in early September. 2 hrs 12 min from London to Leeds. I prefer travelling by train rather than by car and you are not emitting so much CO2 global warming emissions! **
Our first hotel stop was at Skipton which enabled us to see the junction of the canal system there. Wonderful! A pint by the canal in a popular pub followed by a tasty meal at an historic pub.
We then we then went by train to Settle and walked to the Falcon Manor Hotel. We had a great room overlooking the moors.
The was a real community atmosphere at Settle station. Two chatty ladies serving tea in the station rest room. Like something out of the 1940/50s. Took me back to when I was a boy! We were very lucky. They gave a heads up that a steam train was coming through shortly. A wonderful sight!
After visiting the viaduct, we went on to Carlisle. Carlisle Cathedral was an historical and architectural gem!
The next day we travelled all the way down the Settle to Carlisle railway line again, taking in the views and enjoying the countryside. We ended up in Harrogate and stayed at the impressive Harrogate Inn. It was more like an early Victorian manor house then an ‘inn’. We enjoyed the shops gardens and architecture of this northern spa town before returning south.
Public Gardens at Harrogate
The route:
** According to government figures, National Rail travel produces 0.035 kg CO2e per passenger km. The average petrol car produces 0.167 kg CO2e. per km. That is 5 times more CO2 emitted by travelling by car!
