Leeds: July 25: Another nostalgic trip

A few days earlier, Beng had contacted Stuart to ask if it was alright if we stop over for a night. Just like last year, they were due to leave for Malaysia in a couple of days, for deep-sea diving at Pulau Perhentian. Last year they had a marvellous time in Pulau Sipadan, with great shots of some incredibly beautiful fishes and corals.

We started off from Dartford so we had to decide which is the best route. Last year we took country roads before joining A1 and lost our bearing to Plantation Gardens because we followed Sarah’s direction via A58 (which leads to Harrogate) just before Leeds city. This time, Beng had in mind to join A1 as soon as possible but on our way, past Cambridge turnoff, I influenced him to join M1, which involved travelling from East to West for some 44 miles, which seemed wasteful. But I had in mind motorway all the way to Leeds which we were familiar almost 30 years ago. It was much easier then when we travelled between Leeds and London as it only involved getting through northern London when it was time to leave.

What I had in mind was good only from M1, then M621 before looking for signs to Leeds City Centre. Once we reached the area near the railway station, I was totally confused with the new buildings, new roads (or at least familiar road names but I had totally lost their bearings which got me really disappointed with myself) and even a ‘loop’ road. What used to be a straightforward route to join familiar Woodhouse Lane wasn’t now and we were some where near the other side of Leeds University. Taking another round, we managed to get to the familiar area just before Headingley with Hyde Park Corner on the left.

I was excited to find my first hostel when I stepped foot in Leeds in 1973. However, it was so different now that I almost gave up at Cliff Mount until Beng encouraged me to look again. I even forgot the address until I walked further up the road and saw a familiar building on the right. It was now used for some kind of home and there was no sign about it being Methodist International House before. When I asked a man having a break next to the kitchen about the annexe, which I thought was there 30 years ago, he replied that he wasn’t even born then! When he confirmed that the address is 55 Cliff Road, it rang a bell indeed!


Pleased with it, I decided to drive past Headingley junction to look for my second place, 30 Cardigan Road. Again, my memory failed me and I took a left turn too soon and ended up somewhere in Park Lane. We decided to give up and find a parking space near Merrion Centre for a walkabout. Like last year, I volunteered to go to the car first to avoid getting a parking ticket. Later, we look for directions to get to Leeds 17 via signs to Harrogate.

Beng relied on his memory based on last year’s trip to get to Stuart’s house. With some uncertainty, we found the right road but neither Sarah’s nor Stuart’s car was there so we relied on my memory that it was No.38. Soon after being greeted by Sarah, Stuart’s car pulled up.

It was the usual exchange of pleasantries and a brief catch-up on news before we settled for a cup of tea for more details. For the second year we have an English couple and a Malaysian couple having holidays in each other’s country. They have been to Malaysia a few times. Sarah said she wasn’t prepared and would be cooking Indian curry a la Marks & Spencer! It is a bit strange that we have an English lady preparing Indian curry to entertain a Chinese couple! It was a splendid spread involving nan, basmati rice, chicken, fish and prawns to go with red or white wines.

Their son, Richard, is in the process of doing up their back garden to incorporate a little pond and fountain with some landscaping features. Later, we were told, Claire is getting married in September and the reception is to be held at the fabulous Hazlewood Castle.

Next morning, Stuart said goodbye before he went to work. During breakfast, I asked Sarah for directions to Kirkstall Abbey which is near where SP used to live. Beng as usual checked the internet and printed out a map for directions, made difficult because we were at Leeds 17 instead of Headingley.

We managed to find Kirkstall Abbey but because we were in a hurry, we looked for SP’s former accommodation, thinking all the time that it was Church Lane. Using the church as landmark, we managed to find the road but realised it was supposed to be Park Mount! I used to visit her and leave in time to catch the last bus at 11.15pm, after having to walk past the church compound, which has a graveyard! Somehow, I was brave then even though the cold weather made the night seem darker.

Coming out to the main road, I remember the road past Headingley Stadium, well known among cricketers. Turning right we went into Cardigan Road, another place I was looking for. As SP wanted to visit the shops, we set off for York earlier before going to Thorganby.