Day 15 Staithes to Whitby The End

The final day arrived and still the sun was shining as we arrived back in Staithes. The walk was very straightforward today and Rita gave everyone permission to go at their own pace while she brought up the rear to catch any stragglers. 

First of all the group who were doing the whole Cleveland Way walked back down the hill to the Cod and Lobster and then back up the hill past Captain Cook's cottage.

 Once on the cliff top we soon saw the old harbour of Port Mulgrave which now stands half derelict. This was once a hive of industry receiving iron ore from Grinkle ironstone mines by way of a mile long tunnel. This has now been sealed at both ends. The ore was shipped from here to the furnaces of Jarrow.

 Two miles further on and we arrived at Runswick Bay and thanks to Frank's book we took the correct path down to the beach. I think that probably we were the only people to follow the Cleveland Way correctly at this point as the signpost was very misleading.

A nice lunch stop here in the sunshine where we met up with some of the other groups. Then a short walk along the beach before turning right up the the steep ravine back on to the cliff tops. 

Plenty of steps

Looking back at Runswick Bay

Steep steps down at Deepgrove Wyke

At long last we arrived at the level track leading to Sandsend and we could see our final destination in the distance.

Although we were running a little late by this time we still made time for an ice cream or cup of tea in Sandsend before the final section to Whitby. 

Sandsend

 Now I think that most of the others who were ahead of us probably walked on the beach to Whitby but the tide was coming in quite rapidly so we only did a short section on the beach and then we took the way- marked Cleveland Way into Whitby along the high route. This was new to me and made an interesting end to the walk.

Nearly over now we all dispersed at the whale bone to have a paddle or get refreshments before the final meeting at the 199 steps up to the Abbey.

We finished where we started 18 months ago in very similar weather although if you look back through this blog you will remember rain, mud and snow that we encountered along the way. Another long distance path to add to the list of those completed.
Many thanks to all the people involved in the organisation of this project, in particular Ray and Jackie, and Rita and Frank. This club relies on volunteers to keep it going and I for one am extremely grateful to all of them. Where next I wonder?

THE END

Day 14 Saltburn to Staithes

Back in Whitby again for another weekend to complete our journey along the Cleveland Way and just as when we started, the weather was kind to us. The sun shone and the temperature was perfect for walking. It couldn't have been better.

Quite a number of us stayed in the magnificent YHA .

First of all we had to complete the final stretch into Saltburn that we had missed on the last outing.

 It wasn't long before the sea was in sight as we made our way down the road into Saltburn with its lovely beach and pier.

 My book says 'Fortunate indeed the walker who experiences blue skies, sunshine and balmy temperatures over this concluding section of the Cleveland Way'. We were indeed very fortunate.

A brief stop there and then off we went back up on to the cliff top.

 The path ran beside the railway track for a while until we reached an impressive Dreamcatcher sculpture where we stopped briefly so everybody could have a good look and take some photos.

Next stop was Cattersby Sands for lunch after making our way through the sand dunes.The 'A' party caught us up there and stopped for their lunch just beyond the jetty.

 The jetty protects the little bay at Sinningrove which grew up because of iron production in the area. This has now declined and the former Loftus ironstone mine is now a museum.

This fishing coble didn't look as though it had been at sea for a long time and I believe these may have been pigeon lofts, not beach huts! Obviously not a tourist area.

It wasn't long before we caught our first glimpse of Staithes in the distance. 

 Before reaching there we had a walk along Boulby Cliff, at 666ft it is the highest sea cliff on England's east coast, and then a steep descent into Staithes with its cobbled streets.

 The 'A' party were already there when we arrived enjoying a drink at the Cod & Lobster.

Plenty of time for drinks, ice cream or cups of tea before making our way up the hill to the car park where Steve was waiting with the coach.  We were soon back in Whitby where I decided to eat fish and chips on the pier before climbing the 199 steps up to the YHA. Well when in Whitby you have to have fish and chips don't you?