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?

Day 13 Great Ayton to Saltburn

I was on holiday in Cornwall when this walk took place so many thanks to Brian and Jean who have provided the photos and the narrative.

The day started off sunny as we set off from Great Ayton towards Saltburn, which was quite a long stretch at around 13 miles.

Our route took us past Great Ayton station and up onto the moor, where there were some beautiful views back towards Captain Cook’s monument and then we headed towards Roseberry Topping (320m). Frank gave the group the option to climb Roseberry Topping as this is an optional part of the Cleveland Way and about 8 of the group decided to do it, whilst the remainder had a longer lunch break. There were lovely views from the top as it was a lovely clear day.

When we all got together again we progressed to Highcliff Nab where the group photo was taken, and then to Slapewath, by which time we were getting short of time with more than 5 miles to go!

The route then took us to Skelton where we encountered a beautiful red brick viaduct in Crowood and we eventually arrived on the outskirts of Saltburn at around 6.20pm.

 Thankfully Steve the driver very kindly came and picked us up but we were a little sad not to have seen the sea!

And here's some I prepared earlier, just in case you thought I wouldn't have done this section.

We all look at a bit younger then! Taken on 16 September 2007.

Day 12 Hasty Bank to Great Ayton

The weather forecast was for a warm sunny day but it didn't quite live up to expectations as there was a wind blowing that kept the temperature down and the sun only made a few brief appearances. Thankfully it wasn't too hot as the walk started with a climb on a paved section over a grassy hillside.

Once we reached the moor top the walking was much easier on a wide track and we stopped for a group photo at the Hand Stone and the Face Stone marking the way.

 The views were good and  the new heather emerging from the old burnt heather was very colourful. After a short stop in Kildale it was up again on to Easby Moor and Captain Cook's Monument. This was erected on the centenary of his birth in 1828. He wasn't born here but went to school in Great Ayton before moving to Staithes.

Captain Cook's Monument

 Once we reached the monument we left the Cleveland Way and made our way to Great Ayton down a very steep track covered in tree roots, quite hard going and a good job it was dry and not slippery. Time there for refreshments before the journey home.

Roseberry Topping

A distant view of Roseberry Topping that will be visited on the next section.

Day 11 Hasty Bank to Osmotherley

  It had been decided that we would do this walk back to front as it was better to finish in Osmotherley where refreshments are available. 11 miles and at least 1800ft of climbing later we finished.. This was the hardest section we had done so far and felt like an 'A' walk not even a 'B+'. We must have been over six hills by the end although they did get progressively lower thankfully. My book describes it as 'a switchback of climbs and descents over high moorland' and it was a magnificent walk although the misty conditions meant that we didn't get the best views.
We arrived in the middle of a car rally which caused some confusion.

There was plenty of this

Lunch with a view

Wainstones

More ups and downs

He wasn't interested in us

This is what we should have been able to see

Hmm how much further?

Tea break, looking a bit tired

We did eventually arrive in Osmotherley and the 'A' party seemed to have had a much easier walk than us. Just time for everyone to have a quick drink before setting off for home.

Day 10 Sutton Bank to Osmotherley

At last the weather had warmed up a bit and we had some good views as we set off from the visitor centre along the escarpment looking down on Gormire Lake, part of the Sutton Bank Nature Trail.
There was quite a strong wind but fortunately for most of the day it was behind us and we kept up a good steady pace on the wide dry paths. Shortly after passing High Paradise farm we entered Boltby Forest and stopped there for our lunch break.

Although it was more sheltered in the forest the wind was still blowing and the slender trees were swaying backwards and forwards in a quite hypnotic way.

After lunch and a short walk through the forest the track emerged on to open heather moorland which would have been a splendid sight if the heather had been in flower. We were warned to look out for adders but it was still too cold for them.

We had a few spots of rain as we sheltered against a wall for a quick tea break but these soon passed and we made good progress towards Osmotherley. Towards the end of the walk the flat terrain was left behind as we descended into Oakdale, crossed the bridge and climbed steeply up the other side.

It wasn't long before we arrived at our destination just in time to catch the cafe before it closed at 4.30 or the Golden Lion for refreshments.

My guide book states '....near the ancient market cross can be found a stone table upon which local produce was displayed for sale, and on which John Wesley stood while preaching to assembled villagers.'
Another place of interest was the 200 year old shop Thompson's that has recently been in the news when the contents were auctioned. Follow this link to see some of the items sold.

Day 9 Helmsley to Sutton Bank

After avoiding the winter months of endless rain, snow and mud we were hoping for a lovely spring day to resume our walk along the Cleveland Way. It started off quite well in Helmsley with a group photo around the stone marker at the official start of the Cleveland Way.

Not exactly spring like but dry at least. Unfortunately heavy rain in previous days had left the tracks in a very muddy condition so it was tricky and slippery underfoot. We slid and sloshed through the mud and puddles and managed to have a dry lunch in Nettle Dale with entertainment from a fisherman who kept catching the same fish over and over again and then losing it before he could land it. I don't suppose an audience of 28 walkers helped his concentration!

After lunch the weather deteriorated. First a few spots of rain, followed by sleet as we reached Cold Kirby and more muddy tracks.

As we approached the pub at Hambleton where we were meeting the coach the sleet became heavier but it was still quite early and we weren't finished yet. I am going to give you a flavour of what you should have been able to see as described in my guide book.

'Emerging from the trees you encounter one of the route's most dramatic moments. 

Laid out before you is a vast panorama, an infinity of field patterns extending west 

to the distant Pennines. Escarpments are airy places, snagging the smooth drift of 

breezes and in bad weather deflecting wind and rain into upward-racing maelstroms.'

By this time we didn't have much of a view as the sleet had turned to snow so it is a good job that most of us had been there before in better weather and knew what we should have been looking at. Our plan was to visit the White Horse of Kilburn which was much further on than I remembered it to be. I hope it looks better from a distance! Follow the link for better views. We didn't linger there long and followed the path and road back round to the Hambleton Hotel. By this time the snow was very heavy and we were beginning to look like snowmen.

It didn't take long in the pub to thaw out with a hot drink or an alcoholic one while we waited for 'A' party to arrive from their longer walk. In the mean time Sutton Bank was closed to traffic and a decision was made to leave half an hour earlier than intended.

As we left the warmth of the pub and piled on to the coach the snow eased a little and we were able to reach home safely via the A64. Back in Bradford the roads were dry and no sign of snow. What a difference a year makes. Last March when we started this walk with a weekend in Whitby we were walking in t-shirts in the sun and paddling in the sea in Scarborough!

Day 8 Gillamoor to Helmsley

The clocks went back today so we had an hour less in which to do the walk. The weather was drizzly to start with, a rain shower at lunch time but then it cleared up in the afternoon although there was still plenty of mud. The best thing for me about today's walk was the autumn colours of the trees, just a pity the sun didn't shine to show them at their best.

Quite a lot of the walk was on lanes and tracks and fairly flat so the going was easy from Gillamoor, through Fadmoor and down to Hold Cauldron Mill.

After this the path climbed steeply to the top edge of a wood where we decided to have our lunch in the rain!

Fortunately the rain wasn't too heavy and we were all ready for something to eat so we didn't mind too much.
After walking along at the top of this wood we crossed a series of fields before dropping down again on a muddy track through the woods. Many thanks to Stuart for a helping hand down the slippy bits as I was a bit scared of falling and hurting my delicate shoulder! Anyway all was well for me although a couple of people did slip a bit.
There was one very steep climb as we ascended the wooded slopes of Riccal Dale up a muddy track through a very dark wood that was very atmospheric!

As we approached the Keld Lane track bearing off to the right a few people decided to shorten the walk and continue down the road to Helmsley. A few soon turned into many and it was a much smaller group that took the Tabular Hills walk down Ash Dale. I am so glad I did this part of the walk as the track was wide and it dropped down gently through the beautiful trees until we turned off and zig-zagged over the fields into Helmsley.

It was just on 5 o'clock as we arrived at the market cross in Helmsley but too dark to take a photo. A few more minutes to find the coach park which made us a little late but nobody seemed to mind and at least we had done the whole of the walk!
This completes the Tabular Hills part of the walk and we will resume next March in Helmsley to start the Cleveland Way.