It took me a little less than an hour to get to Huddersfield, where I had gone to college for a year in 1972. I don’t think I’ve ever been back since I left, and now i find myself going there twice within twenty fours hours – how strange! I had to change trains in Brighouse and I was very surprised to find that it’s only 19 minutes by train from Hebden Bridge, so that amazing Wetherspoon’s (former Methodist church) is quite accessible for an evening.

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Huddersfield’s famous son – former Primer minister Harold Wilson.

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Station bar is called The Head of Steam – quite lovely.

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My first Meetup group in England

Ten people showed up for coffee and lunch at this Chatty Meetup group for the over 50’s. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations, ranging from recent movies, to The Pub Trail (in which this station cafe is featured) to deeper topics.

In the evening I had arranged to go to the annual Winter dinner of the Halifax Concert Band. I’d attended one rehearsal before Christmas but intend joining the group next week. IMG_7941Around 40 band members showed up. It’ll be a good networking experience, but of course, you can’t talk to your fellow players in rehearsals. I sat beside a friendly tuba player and soon discovered that two other people on my table work at the same school as David from Lily Hall. I love these coincidences. The food was very good – everything from Italian to Mexican. I asked our waiter to take a photo of our group and he included one of the other two waiters – very nice! Wore my new jacket and tried to go ‘British” so didn’t take an umbrella despite the storm – and I didn’t get wet! It works.IMG_7938 (1)