We arrived at Larpool Hall in Whitby on Monday afternoon in time for HF’s customary cream tea and the start of our autumn holiday, relieved that the high temperatures that we had been experiencing down south, were not expected to impact our walking.
On Tuesday morning we travelled to Sandsend where we parked the cars and, led by Bob and brandishing our bus passes, we all boarded the X4 and headed for Staithes. On arrival, exhausted by our efforts so far, we needed to be fortified by cups of coffee, before striking out on our 9.5 mile trek along the coastal path.
This was a most enjoyable and varied coastal walk, through pretty seaside villages, along beaches and across countryside, which still, even in September, remains gloriously green. We were generally lucky with the weather although we did arrive in Runswick Bay for lunch at the same time as a heavy squall and ingenious means had to be employed to avoid the worst of the rain. Luckily, as lunch finished and we were ready once more to set off along the trail, the skies cleared; we encountered a few steep steps on the path back(!)
but all returned safely to the Sandsend car park in time for afternoon tea.
Wednesday arrived with beautiful blue skies and, although it seemed rather chilly as we set out on our Hole of Horcum walk, capably guided by Colin, we were soon warmed by the sun. As we continued over Levisham Moor we came across a herd of Highland cattle, some of whom were well endowed with the largest horns I’ve ever seen; but they were all very laid back and the calves were so beautiful; they offered a fine
photo opportunity. Down off the moor and passing through Levisham we came across The Church of St John the Baptist which was well worth a visit; in the porch there was a list of Rectors going back to the year 1269; the font is believed to be Norman, or possibly older; there are pieces of a carved gravestone depicting a dragon in Scandinavian style and believed to be from a Viking Christian graveyard, not to mention the 7 carved mice in hiding around the church, which had many of us crawling around on our hands
Shortly after our brief stop in Levisham the group split and took different routes to return to our cars at Saltergate. Our group enjoyed a picnic lunch relaxing on a grassy bank with views over the moorland we had just traversed, and we were able to watch a number of buzzards as they glided and floated across the area. After lunch our walk continued over well-maintained farmland grazed by both cattle and sheep and just as we thought our day couldn’t get any better, we returned to the car park to find an ice cream van, which many were unable to resist, feeling they had earned a small treat!
And, if we thought we were spoiled with good weather on Wednesday, roll on Thursday; it was just the perfect day for a fine walk, glorious sunshine
and soft breezes taking us all to Robin Hoods Bay. Several different variations of route were on offer, which included walking part of The Cinder Track, this is a disused railway track running from Whitby to Scarborough; tackling a further section of the Coastal Path, and possibly making good use of our bus passes once more. Whichever route, or combination of routes was opted for, I believe that we were all treated to spectacular coastal views as well as sightings of dolphins and seals.
I can’t possibly leave this account of our break away without mentioning that, as is customary on Wednesday evenings at HF houses, we participated in the weekly quiz; and, I am proud to report that a RRC team ‘The Wrong
Trousers’ were on top form; they didn’t only win the quiz at Larpool Hall that evening but were ahead at the end of every one of the four rounds. Unfortunately, however, this was not sufficient for them to take the first place overall.
Finally, I would very much like to express my thanks to those who stepped up and led walks over the week, including Bob, Colin, Dave and Di without whose efforts I am sure that some of us may well still be wandering the moors. However, gigantic thanks go to Hilary for her dogged efforts to keep us all under control. Without your efforts Hilary we would not have enjoyed a really excellent Autumn Holiday to such a beautiful part of the country; thank you so much for all your hard work
