Date: Friday 27th July 2007
Mileage: 17 Miles
Weather: Warm and sunny - all day
It's the last lap and I'm sad and glad that we are nearly there. We left the pub at 9.00 and were soon into our stride again. At Grosmont we were lucky - the 'Sir Nigel Gresley' was in the station and all fired up and ready to go - what a splendid, steamy, shiny sight. It's a beautiful machine and its creator was born just two miles down the road from us. The train enthusiasts have recreated the heyday of steam with a ladies waiting room, piles of battered, old suitcases and advertisements from the 1950's. I was expecting to see Trevor Howard help Celia Johnson remove some soot from her eye with his handkerchief.
The climb out of Grosmont was stiff but at the top we were rewarded with our first sight since St Bees of the sea, this time the North Sea. However, we still had twelves miles to walk even though we saw a sign saying, "Whitby 7 miles" - almost tempted to walk there and catch the bus to RHB but no, we can't cheat now. The guide book caused some confusion for the next section - but soon back on track. The walk through Littlebeck Wood was pretty - Falling Foss and the Hermitage. then we were onto the open moors - extremely boggy - like walking over a sodden sponge full of very dirty, muddy, smelly water. We had to carefully pick our way through the quagmire but still went in up to the ankles. The walk through the caravan park was a strange contrast to the rest of the day - neatly manicured lawns, smart gravel paths, decking and shiny luxury caravans with net curtains. We trudged through looking sweaty, muddy and slightly dishevelled whilst I imagined behind the net curtains caravanners put the kettle on, opened a packet of custard creams and watched 'Cash in the attic' on portable televisions.
Now we were on the coast and following the cliffs down into RHB. This section was very busy - lots of people out for a stroll in the sunshine. We were in a hurry and soon overtook the crowds - I've never walked so fast as I did that last section. I think it was combination of half a Mars Bar, a swig of Lucozade and adrenalin. We walked down the steep street to the sea, dipped our feet in the water, threw our pebble, took photographs and then retired to the Bay Hotel to have a drink and sign the Coast to Coast book. The Leicester Duo arrived very shortly afterwards and we sat outside in the sunshine to await the other Coast to Coasters in our bubble to arrive. As they did we clapped and cheered - much to their embarrassment and. I think, delight. The two doctors arrived next with their dog, Murph. Then a family of four who we'd seen a couple of times towards the end of the walk, then another couple and finally the Liverpool boys still carrying all their gear. We all sat outside the pub, drank beer and talked about the walk - it was a lovely, special moment. By seven o'clock everyone was making a move for showers, accommodation and dinner. We all said our goodbyes and congratulated each other once again
So ended our epic journey across the great, awe-inspiring, rugged expanse of Northern England. Our journey from sea to sea was complete. I almost wanted to go back and do it all again - well, maybe next year.
The climb out of Grosmont was stiff but at the top we were rewarded with our first sight since St Bees of the sea, this time the North Sea. However, we still had twelves miles to walk even though we saw a sign saying, "Whitby 7 miles" - almost tempted to walk there and catch the bus to RHB but no, we can't cheat now. The guide book caused some confusion for the next section - but soon back on track. The walk through Littlebeck Wood was pretty - Falling Foss and the Hermitage. then we were onto the open moors - extremely boggy - like walking over a sodden sponge full of very dirty, muddy, smelly water. We had to carefully pick our way through the quagmire but still went in up to the ankles. The walk through the caravan park was a strange contrast to the rest of the day - neatly manicured lawns, smart gravel paths, decking and shiny luxury caravans with net curtains. We trudged through looking sweaty, muddy and slightly dishevelled whilst I imagined behind the net curtains caravanners put the kettle on, opened a packet of custard creams and watched 'Cash in the attic' on portable televisions.
Now we were on the coast and following the cliffs down into RHB. This section was very busy - lots of people out for a stroll in the sunshine. We were in a hurry and soon overtook the crowds - I've never walked so fast as I did that last section. I think it was combination of half a Mars Bar, a swig of Lucozade and adrenalin. We walked down the steep street to the sea, dipped our feet in the water, threw our pebble, took photographs and then retired to the Bay Hotel to have a drink and sign the Coast to Coast book. The Leicester Duo arrived very shortly afterwards and we sat outside in the sunshine to await the other Coast to Coasters in our bubble to arrive. As they did we clapped and cheered - much to their embarrassment and. I think, delight. The two doctors arrived next with their dog, Murph. Then a family of four who we'd seen a couple of times towards the end of the walk, then another couple and finally the Liverpool boys still carrying all their gear. We all sat outside the pub, drank beer and talked about the walk - it was a lovely, special moment. By seven o'clock everyone was making a move for showers, accommodation and dinner. We all said our goodbyes and congratulated each other once again
So ended our epic journey across the great, awe-inspiring, rugged expanse of Northern England. Our journey from sea to sea was complete. I almost wanted to go back and do it all again - well, maybe next year.