Garforth (East Leeds) to Mickletown (South East Leeds) (7 miles) - Sunday 11th February 2018

Caught the 19A bus to Garforth from the City Centre.  I picked up where I left off on Main Street and turn onto Church Lane.  I accessed the ginnel towards the old railway line which is known as "Linesway" until I reached Brecks Lane.

Turning right to Brecks Lane

Apart from a barking dog whose constant barking made it clear that I wasn't welcomed lol it was an uneventful stretch until I reached Swillington.  Cross the field towards Little Preston as its old Little Hall, now a residential property.  Crossing Astley Lane and following the Bridleway we reached a road where to the left is the entrance to St Aidan's RSPB Nature Reserve and to the right soon leads to the "Old Coach Road".

 

The "Old Coach Road" was interesting and hedge and trees lined.  Saw some ruins of old buildings which could link to the original stopping points for the horses and coaches and eventually reached the busy Wakefield Road.  It was a challenge crossing the road as cars were driven at high speeds.

Turning left towards the "Old Coach Road"

 

Crossing Swillington Bridge, I saw the River Aire and joined the riverbank trail on the other side.  This is probably the most muddiest path I walked on so far on the trail.  The mud was pretty mud and slippery in places and had to warn some passing cyclists.

River Aire, Swillington

 

The weather has been mixed but when I reached the river I was greeted with sunshine. blue skies and blue water.  However it was very cold with the breeze as I had a stop by the river before continuing on the stretch.  This stretch was pleasant with great views of the river and St Aidan's Nature Reserve.  Crossed the Fleet Bridge over the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Walked by the navigation before joining the Leeds Country Way path.  After a mile or so, I left the path and walked towards Mickletown.  This stretch was rather dull with new housing developments on land which was probably once open fields.

Reaching Mickletown's Church Lane I called it enough and only waited 10 minutes or so before getting on the 189 bus back to Leeds Bus Station and on ward for home. 

Barwick in Elmet to Garforth (East Leeds) (5.5 miles) - Sunday 4th February 2018

The weather improved from the previous day with blue skies and sunshine.  Again, Julie joined me and we met in the city centre for the 64 bus which will takes us back to Barwick in Elmet.  Half an hour later we arrived in the village and picked up where we left off.  We reached the muddy fields (a stretch was really bad with the slippery deep mud and took me forever to walk it) towards Scholes.

We reached Scholes and crossed the junction into Bog Lane and we walked through Barnbow Woods and reached a farm where we proceeded towards a slope.  We crossed both the railway line and the M1 Motorway.  There was a nice stretch with a good path towards Barrowby Lane and we walked the final mile or so on the road and eventually crossed over to the Main Street.  We didn't wait long for the 19 bus back to the city centre.

 

A lovely walk of 5.5 miles and we walked approximately 9 miles over the weekend.  The Leeds Country Way adventure continues soon towards the city's south eastern edge

Which way?