Terry Smith's Photo Walks

Today's Walk 22nd July 2008: Runswick Bay (GR808163) to Robin Hood's Bay (GR954048). 15.5 miles with 1,075
feet of ascent.

Map: Explorer OL27 North York Moors, Eastern Area.

Weather: Starting with some cloud, then very warm with plenty of sunshine.

We'd spent the previous night in the part of the village above the harbour. So we start off on the longest day of walking on the
Cleveland Way by descending the steep road down to the bay. I take this photo, before we head off along the beach to take us
around the bay. It's still early and there aren't many people about yet.

From this point we need to take our first climb of the day and before we do I turn around to take this shot across the bay. While I'm
doing this Christopher notices a rock with a fossil on it. When he showed it to me I was really pleased and wanted to keep it.
However, I'd just finished breakfast, there was now a climb to make AND I'd felt the weight of the rock, so I put into practice the
training I'd learnt all those years ago in the 'Junior Army' i.e. Bullsh*t Baffles Brains and asked Christopher if he would carry it as
there wasn't much room left in my rucksack :-) Soon I was following him up the hill as he carried my fossil - It works every time!

When we reached the top of the cliff I aked Christopher how my fossil was, "HEAVY", was the curt reply. Oooooh touch--y. I
thought perhaps a bit more bullsh*t was required so I praised his good eyesight and powers of observation. I reminded him that
this area was called the 'Dinosaur Coast' and told him how I'd love to find a Dinosaur's footprint. "Well I'm not carrying one of
those in the rucksack", he says. Ouch!

And that is why..............

No, not a dinosaur, but a lizard, probably enjoying a bit of sunbathing when it spotted me and moved off quickly to find some cover
And what is that 'wee beastie' behind it?

The lizard is partially hidden now and she stops, no doubt hoping this large and probably hungry predator with the camera hasn't
spotted her. I call it 'she' because the markings are very similar to the female Common Lizard shown in this link.

And the 'wee beastie'? Well it may be a very overweight millipede for all I know, but whatever it is to me it's
just a 'mysterious wee beastie'.

We arrive at Sandsend (GR 861129) where we pause briefly before deciding we'll walk along the beach for the walk into
Whitby (GR898115), where we intend to stop for a coffee.

'Elizabeth' a steam bus. Almost 80 years old and looking like new she takes trippers around Whitby in some style. The bus that is not
the conductress who is enjoying a well deserved cuppa.

It's not unusual to see a large queue outside 'The Magpie Cafe', it remains ever popular. Fish and chips(and much
more) for the connoisseur.

Many boats have come to grief along this coastline and this is one of them. Look closely at the wreckage on it's own on the right and
you may make out a man kneeling over collecting shellfish. He was placing them in a bucket that he'd brought along with him.

Whitby lighthouse. If you enjoying staying in unusual places the two cottages may be of interest to you as they can be hired for
holiday use. The author of this link reviews the place and a tasty meal enjoyed at the Magpie Cafe in Whitby.

Although we had walked two thirds of today's walk when we reached the lighthouse, the views ahead reminded me that we still had
quite a way to go before we were to reach Robin Hoods Bay - it wasn't in sight yet!

The spot the photo is taken from is not on the Cleveland Way route. It was taken in the late afternoon from a
roadbridge as we moved our baggage by car.

It was a lovely afternoon when we arrived at Robin Hoods Bay. After the walk we organised our cars and baggage ready for the
next leg and then walked down the steep hill to the bay. We were staying overnight at The Boathouse where we enjoyed a
comfortable stay. The next morning there was a delicious medley of fresh fruit as an appertiser and then the usual choice of cooked
breakfasts. See my Links for contact details.

That evening though after a very welcome shower we were looking for an evening meal. We were just yards from The Bay Hotel
and the meals very reasonably priced and good quality. We'd arranged to meet a friend and ex-work colleague of mine there.

Meet my friend Neale. We worked together some years ago on Teesside. The lucky lad now lives in this area of the world with his
young family. We hadn't seen each other for several years so were catching up on each others news.

In the photo Neale, who is very able with a camera himself, is wondering why I'm pointing one at him! Meanwhile while my
attention is distracted Christopher decides to quietly replace the fluid he lost during today's walk. Judging by the number of glasses
in front of him he obviously believes he lost a lot!

This photo was taken from the table we were sitting at behind the pub. It was a very pleasant evening and a bit of live music from a
local singer would have been nice. As there wasn't any on the night I've added some now with a bit of a link to the sea. From
another of my favourite folk singers, the Barnsley nightingale, Kate Rusby.