at Robin Hood's Bay. Robert, our host, drove us down to the village to resume our journey.
He proudly showed us the small Methodist church and the carvings by master woodcarver Thomas Whittaker complete with his trademark gnome, protector of the oak trees and all things made from them.
From Littlebeck we followed the course of the stream to Falling Fos, a sixty foot high waterfall.
On the way there we passed The Hermitage, a cave carefully carved out of a solid limestone boulder. Two young men were just packing up their gear from an overnight stay in the cavern.
When we reached the falls there was a lovely tea garden for visitors. We then marched uphill to climb over Sneaton Low Moor, our last chance to walk through the boggy highlands. (No interesting photos there) Fortunately after three dry days the walking was easy. Our GPS proved quite useful to find our way over the featureless heather hills.
After descending through a narrow, eroded track to a paved road, we rejoined civilization at High Hawsker, just before the last leg of the journey to the North Sea coast. We stopped for lunch at the Hare & Hounds pub. We logged about 50 yards of bonus as Joe missed the turn into the Sea Haven Caravan Park. We passed through the most tidy and green mobile home park ever on the way down to the coast (but nobody takes photos of a mobile home park.) We may book it for our next visit.
Thus began our final 3 mile coast walk into Robin Hood's Bay, repeating our starting walk along the Irish Sea coast at St. Bees. It was equally beautiful,with rugged cliffs overlooking the sea, and grazing sheep and cattle in the pastures to our right. Thankfully it was less windy and more warm.
Toni threw her pebble from St. Bees into the sea, and we went for a pint at Wainwright's Bar to honor the old man who started it all.
A fitting end to our longest and most memorable walk ever. At dinner later that evening at the Victoria hotel on the bluff overlooking the village and the sea, we raised a glass to Judy and Ben, without whose support and companionship we could never have made it - a journey well begun and well ended.
Congratulations on your arrival at the coast - love the traveling pebble... and thanks again for sharing your adventure.
ReplyDeleteWell done Joe and Toni. You made it to Robin Hoods Bay as we knew you would. We signed the unofficial end of walk register in the Wainwrights Bar and hope you did too? Thanks for making our walk ( Nick Judy and me) with you so much fun. I have enjoyed reading your blog and the photos are wonderful. Barry Houlston, London England. Judy and Ben have my email address
ReplyDelete