We parked up in a layby near Methley and ran along a path of a disused railway on the Trans Pennine Trail that we call the yellow brick road because it used to be covered in a yellow gravel which has now worn away. About a mile along we took a track to the right ignoring the “Danger, Keep Out!” sign which is OK because we do know it’s a public footpath! The track leads past a new refrigerated warehouse which looks like a giant white cube stuck in the middle of the countryside like something out of a science fiction story.
We then picked up a public footpath up a steep slope to a farm track bridge over the M62. We know the farm just across the bridge keeps alpacas but we had no luck in seeing them today. The path then takes a route through the countryside heading for the deer park. We did however see the deer today but they were far away so we kept on running.
The woodland trail the far side of the deer park is known for its bluebells and we were treated to this intense blue display which meant we just had to stop for a photo or two.
Another path led us to the Lemonroyd Marina and we followed the towpath along the Aire and Calder navigation back towards Methley. Running through Methley we seemed to be in a scene out of Miss Marple passing the quaint cottages and Church with a game of village cricket going on next to crown green bowling.
We then ran along the Leeds Country Way which leads between fields of Rape in full bloom and this took us back to the car.
That ladies and gentlemen, is what I’m talking about!
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:11-12 NIVUK
Marathon Mann 