Day 13 -Glaisdale to Robin Hoods Bay. GPS 206 miles

 The Last Days Walking

It has taken a long time coming but the final day has arrived. Today, walking from Glaisdale to Robin Hoods Bay we finally reach the North Sea and the end of our walk but it was not a stroll. This was still a serious walk and we had close on twenty miles before we could say we had finished the whole of our first long distance walk. Leaving Beggars Bridge a beatutiful bridge with the vegetation growing on it built in 1619 specifically for pack horses, and which is one of a number that cross the Esk River, The route starts with a long climb up through some woods. The first village we come to was Egton Bridge.

On Egton Bridge these sheep dogs were waiting for their owner.. It was just past here that Andy and Janine plus Daphane caught up with us so we walked together for the rest of the day.

The next village (the walk today would pass through a few of them) was Grosmont. Again a small village. Grosmont is pronounced with a silent 's' and 't' and it is the terminus of the North York Moors railway, which operates steam locomoties. It was this train track that was used in the 'Harry Potter' films.

We were lucky to arrive just in time to see this train pull into the station. From here there is one hell of a long steep hill you have to climb, via the road out of the village.

At the top we have a nice view back of where we had walked from

 We then walk in open moor land, Sleights Moor, which was where we got our first glimpses of Whitby Abbey. Coming of the moorland we entered Little Beck Wood where a sign proclaimed we may see roe deer or foxes, this made Daphne smile as she has them in her garden at home in Texas, while the walk was tranquil we saw little bar fellow walkers. We then reached the Hermitage which is a large hollowed out piece of sandstone It was inscribed with the initials G.C 1790. 

 

Pressing on we came to Falling Foss then we were suddenly back in civilisation near a pretty waterfall complete with busy tea shop and many day trippers.

We took the chance here to refuel with a tasty cream tea.

The empty moorland afterwards was far more inviting and welcoming, back amongst our beloved isolation once more. But it was a sharp reminder that we  would soon be back in the normal world this walk would not last forever. Soon we passed through a caravan site (a stop for ice cream, for Daphne, was the most important thing about this).For most of the afternoon Whitby Abbey could be seen on the horizon.

You would assume it was the place that the coast to coast would finish. But Wainwright doesn't do things the easy way and we were soon heading south , re-joining the Cleveland way, for the last few miles along the coastal path to Robin Hoods Bay. Our destination remained hidden until right near the end when the bay itself appeared.

 

 We made our way through Robin Hoods Bay to the sea and  to our joy and surprise my sister Deb and partner Col were there to meet us. This was a big but lovely surprise. Here it got very emotional as we realised the end of our journey had arrived and in memory of Barbara, Jane's sister, her Mother and Father we had raised over £5,000 for Cancer research UK. we are not yet sure of the final total but it is well above this. We are totally amazed at the support you have all given us and thank you for your most generous donations, from those at home and the fantastic people we have met along our travels. All that remained was for us to dip our boots in the North Sea.

And throw away our pebbles that we had duly carried with us all the way from St.Bees.

 

Photographs were taken outside the plaque of the Bay Hotel.

We made our way inside to sign the completers book at the bar and celebrate our completion with a pint.

It was great to see a few faces at the pub who we had met over the two weeks and we were really pleased to see Dave and Sandra who had been so generous with their donation, we met them on the first day and took their picture at St.Bees but only saw them a couple of times and so was lovely to take their picture again at Robin Hoods Bay dipping their boots.

There was a small feeling of deflation to follow that it was all over but the three of us have thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and while it has been tough at times everyone's support and comments have been fabulous and it has possibly been the best thing we have ever done.

Thank you for all your donations and anyone who has promised money that is still to pay please do so as soon as possible so we can pay the money in full and let everyone know our final total.

 Well now it is time to sleep and rest my weary legs and feet. Thanks to you all and good night.