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