Home and Away: Hebden Bridge

The weekend following our trip to York, Mary went back to Millom for the weekend, so I took a solo trip to visit some old friends in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Once I was off the motorway, the drive was very pretty, lots of old towns down along a long and twisty valley. Hebden Bridge is a gorgeous little town, probably one of the most idyllic places I visited during this trip home.

I was there to visit Amanda and Eli; I hadn't seen Amanda for a few years and I hadn't seen Eli since circa 1996! Amanda's house is very nice, her kids are super cute, and these days she drives a BMW instead of a white Ford Escort. Eli has cats (instead of rats), grows vegetables, and has plans to raise cows. The time I spent with both of them reminded me of how much I miss them both. We had a lot of fun back in the day and I plan on visiting again the next time I'm home.

On the drive there, I wished my house had its own shield.

Once I arrived, we headed out for a picnic with Eli. We drove out of town, parked the car close to a pub, and repacked our picnic for a steep hike up a large hill.

View from top of large hill, towards Stoodley Pike Monument.

At first, I questioned Amanda's choice of picnic spot (the pub looked very nice), but I was amazed by what we found at the top - a lake with a sandy beach!

There were a couple of people wearing wetsuits, swimming the length of the water, and a few others with their pants rolled up. I was in the "I'll take off my shoes" group. The water was chilly.

I read a blog the other day, written by a person who took a long hike along this area of the Pennines. I wouldn't mind doing that someday, the hike was interesting and beautiful.

The next morning, Amanda asked me if I would like to go with her to her boxing class. Sure, I said. I thought it might be quite fun to sit and watch a boxing class. This is not what Amanda had in mind and when I got there, she wrapped my hands in bandages and helped me put on my gloves.

Boxing is intense! It takes a lot of stamina and concentration. I think I did pretty well for my first time. At the end, I was asked if I would like some time "in the ring". Sure....

They fitted up a very tough looking young woman with head gear, put gloves on me and told me to beat her up. This was very difficult. I've never hit a person before and she seemed like a very nice person. There was also the chance that she might hit me back if I hurt her. I've also never been beaten. She promised that a. she would not hit me back, and b. I would not hurt her.

I listened to the advice, tried to remember my footwork, and gave it my best shot. Amanda was very supportive and cheered me on with comments such as, "you know you're supposed to hit her, right?", and "go on lass!". I felt like Rocky, but I looked like Mr. Bean in the video Amanda took.

You want me to do what?

I just can't bring myself to post the "action" shots

After our boxing lesson, we took the kids on a bike ride around to the school, park, and railway station.

Eli lives in the cutest little hill village close by Hebden Bridge. I forget it's name and it's really hard to locate on a map. It reminded me of Last of the Summer Wine.