NORTH YORK MOORS: JULY 2014 - PART III

HUTTON-LE-HOLE

The final day of our North York Moors road-trip started off at Hutton-le-Hole (read the first instalment here, and the second here).

We had a wander around the village and then sat down at The Barn Guest House and Tearooms for a cup of tea and slice of cake (it's never too early for cake). Can you spot the little fella who was peeking at us while we were tucking into our lemon drizzle?

BLAKEY RIDGE

We drove on toward Blakey Ridge to find Ralph's Cross, and left a few coins for less fortunate travellers, as is the tradition. It was about time to quench our thirsts so we popped into The Lion Inn for a drink. I used to come to The Lion with my family for Sunday lunch when I was younger, and it was nice to see that the interior remained unchanged.

Next we drove down towards Goathland on the road past Danby castle - I wish that we'd stopped to take some pictures because the vibrant lime green mosses and lichens and rich purple heathers were stunning.

GOATHLAND

We timed our arrival perfectly; just catching the 14:50 to Pickering turning up at Goathland's quaint little station (aka Hogsmeade from the Harry Potter films).

Or, you might recognise the station or some of the scenes below from Heartbeat: Goathland is the home of the fictional Aidensfield. While I can't say it's the best programme I've ever watched... I do have fond memories of watching it on Sunday nights when I was younger.

Bottom left: Possibly the most confusing and unnecessarily lengthy road sign in North Yorkshire? 

FALLING FOSS

We moved on to Falling Foss (a recommendation from my friend) late afternoon. The plan was to have a cup of tea and a(nother) slice of cake, but we quite stupidly had no cash on us, and the tearoom didn't take card payment so...

..instead, we did a spot of Gollum-style scrambling up the river then headed back to the car.

Note to self: always keep emergency cake funds in the glove-box. 

WHITBY

By this time we were feeling quite tired, and rather hungry after the no-money-to-buy-cake situation, so we grabbed some fish and chips and took them to the beach for a picnic (we even sat on our tartan blanket). I went straight into beach-combing mode again, hoping to find a massive lump of jet or ambergris (no such luck).

There is no attractive way to present fish and chips with curry sauce...

We started our North York Moors road-trip at the coast, and ended it at the coast. It was especially lovely to finish up in Whitby, a place that holds memories of New Year's day beach walks, school trips to the Abbey, camping trips, and countless fish and chip picnics with my family.

With reluctance we headed towards the car to make the journey back home, but not before catching another beautiful pastel sunset.

  

~Special thanks go to M for always being the best travel companion~