Picnic No8. Emmott to Emmott

 Whilst researching the route to visit 'The Atom' panoptical which was the destination for No1 picnic I noticed the nearest pub was called The Emmott Arms. Rather interesting as the pub nearest to The Old Sidevalve Bar' (which as you well know is where these adventurous tales are penned) is also called 'The Emmott Arms' The idea of a ride from Emmott to Emmott with a pikernic stop was born.

The summer of  '26 continues (hurray) so the old 550 motorsickle was fuelled, picnic packed in the cool backpack and we were off. First stop 'our' Emmott Arms. (Town St Rawdon Leeds LS19 6PP) for a photo. Don't expect much in the way of an exciting read about this pub on line as it's part of the Samuel Smiths chain. Old Sam (who unfortunately died a few months back) kept his pubs 'old skool. Beer and a wooden stool...maybe a pack of crisps but woe betide any landlord putting on music or selling ham rolls....instant dismissal......to be fair Samuel Smiths beer is pretty good...and reasonably priced, dark and malty too, so let's not be too hard on the chap.....it's a quaffer that's difficult to beat.

We're off....route as follows...Bingley, Cullingworth and then Haworth. Quick stop at the steam railway station before heading on'ta moors for a well planned pikernic spot just after Stanbury. The dead end of a single track road called 'Back Lane' that's as near to 'Top Withins' as can be got. Ya know 'Top Withins'...It's where in the Bronte novel Catherine Earnshaw used to tumble in the heather with Heathcliffe !! "Out on the wily, windy moors We'd roll and fall in green"  as Kate Bush would sing! Well it happened up here!!!!!!!

What's on the menu today Uncle Alb? I'm gonna toast slices of M&S Sourdough Super Seeded Cob and spread with lashings of butter and Portuguese Cherry Jam...

And that's exactly what we did...looking out over't moors  towards 'Top Withins'. Lower Laithe Reservoir behind us, back down the valley towards Haworth.

My camp stove toaster was a gift and taken on this trip untested.. but it worked a treat. 4 slices done to perfection. The seeds of Poppy, Pumpkin and Sunflower occasionally catching fire as they fell down into the centre of the toaster adding what's best described as a smoky-flambe taste experience......

Pikernic over it was then onwards into bandit country....Lancashire.!!!...(Pendle area known to be unfriendly if you confess to being a witch ) finishing at Laneshaw Bridge and the other 'Emmott Arms'

Luckily the sun was over the yard arm so I ordered a pint of the local brew and Mrs C ordered an americano.

When I told the barman about our ride he said he had rather a strange tale to tell...He taken a phone call regarding organising a wake and the deposit was paid. No show of any mourners on the funeral day at his ale house.   Doesn't take much to work out 'Wrong Emmott Arms!!!! Oh dear....Sad on the day but maybe talked about for years to come by those that attended ???? 

Beer tasting notes - Local being Hebden Bridge. Brewery being The Vocation Brewery. Pint being 'Bread and Butter' dry hopped ale. Crackle-report -  Pale with a good head but...toooooo new wave man-bag citrus hoppy for me.......I'll stick with the Samuel Smiths Dark Mild. Tha' knows 'ow ta brew proper ale in Tadcaster.