Unusually for us we set off more or less on time, taking a leisurely drive and, despite the motorway being tedious with its 50 mile per hour speed limit, arrived near Halifax just in time for lunch. We enjoyed lunch in a cafe by Sowerby Bridge railway station. Many of the savoury options were listed as teacakes. These turned out to be toasties rather than what I would normally associate with a teacake (a currant bun). It was a lovely cafe with several locals lunching and engaging in conversation with each other.

After lunch we set of to find the Royal Observer Corps Secret Bunker. It was so secret we were unable to find it. Instead we travelled along the country lanes enjoying the fabulous views. We eventually stopped for a photo opportunity and bracing walk at Baitings Reservoir (Wakefield). It was at this point I decided that perhaps it hadn’t been the best idea to wash my hair before we set out on our journey. I came away from the brief walk with a rather disheveled look!

We then drove to locate the Mill Inn at Shibden where we were staying for a couple of nights before heading into Halifax for a recce. We decided we would visit the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment Museum but realized that it was almost closing time so we headed back to The Mill at Shibden and checked in. We were shown to a lovey room with a private patio garden. As we opened the door to the room we were greeted with Classic FM playing on the radio.

The weather being bracing we didn’t try out the patio, choosing to relax in our lovely room before relocating to the bar to enjoy a drink from their extensive selection of wine, beer, gin and whiskey before returning to the room to freshen up before dinner.

When it was time to dine we made our way to the table in the bar area that had been pointed out to us earlier. We had been told that if we preferred we could be relocated to another table in the restaurant but the bar area was warm and friendly; we had been given the perfect seat!

The food was delicious; I had seabass followed by raspberry and elderflower sorbet. After dining we relocated to another area with comfortable sofas, where I finished off my wine before returning to the room for a good night’s sleep.