Saltburn by the Sea is a very nice place

I had a bit of time to spare when I got to Saltburn, didn't want to go to the hotel too early just to sit in my room. Make the most of daylight while it lasts. I left my car there and went walkabout. I have been here before, stayed in a small cheap B & B when I was on a long walk. I didn't see much of the place then, all I wanted to do was get my boots off and chill. I remember this little railway going up and down the cliff. 

One comes up and one goes down. £1.20 for an adult, I thought that was a bit steep, ha ha. Alternative footpaths are free.

Pretty beach huts line the Promenade. A few people were using them but it was getting a bit chilly.

See that cliff top over there, that's where I am setting off from tomorrow. Walking to Staithes hopefully. It's about 8 - 9 miles away. Check out my previous post for a similar picture to this one, scroll down. It was six years ago, blimey, the years are flying by. 

The surfers are still bobbing up and down on the waves. I think it's body boarding that they do, rather than standing on the board.

I was curious that a lot of this type of buildings along the upper Promenade are not hotels, no signs at the front. I wonder if they are private apartments. I wonder what it's like to live there overlooking the sea. 

The ornate iron gateway at the side of the Railway Station is decorated with real flowers along the railings on each side, and the arch has been yarn bombed with crochet flowers. Lovely.

Time to go to the hotel I think, ready for a sit down and watch a bit of tele. When I walked through the front door I knew I had picked the right one. The Brockley Hall Hotel is quite close to the town. I didn't find the car park, if they have one, but plenty of free unlimited parking on the wide road at the front. Apparently they don't have any yellow lines in Saltburn. 

I was gob smacked when I saw the décor, couldn't get over how stunning it all was. Got to have some photo's of this, I thought. I had booked and paid for a single room, and was pleased to find they had upgraded me to this double with a gigantic bed. It was beautiful, with a lovely bathroom and a big shower. Just perfect. 

More pics tomorrow. Toodle pip.  ilona

A wet walk in a wood

After deciding not to go to the Festival of Thrift, I checked the map to see where I might stop on the journey up to the North east, for a walk. Once off the A1 and the A19, it gets quite interesting around Stokesley area. A few miles further on is Great Ayton, with some elevation giving lovely views. I found some free parking and after a bite to eat I set off with my map. I went out of the village down Station Road. Opposite this house I crossed over the railway line at the station, and took a path heading towards the Captain Cook Monument. 

I'm glad this path was dry, it must be terribly muddy after a downfall. The tree roots are exposed through thousands of boots passing by, creating a natural ladder to the top.

It wasn't long after that it started raining. No matter, get the brolly out. Over there is Roseberry Topping, another high point to aim for. Now it's drizzling the views are not as clear as they could be. 

Onward I went into Ayton Banks Wood. It wasn't long before I came to a split in the path, and later realised I had taken the wrong turning. Now the rain was getting heavier and I wondered if I should cut the walk short.

By this time I thought I would head back, as I seem to be going round in a circle. 

A lot of logging had been going on here, so I thought there has to be a way to get out onto the road.

Yep, I came out at Dykes Lane and headed back to the station. Oh dear, me getting a bit wet. 

When I got back into the centre of Great Ayton the rain had stopped, so I had a little bimble around there because it was too early to carry on to Saltburn to the hotel. I picked up some food from the Co op for my picnic in the room. I popped into a very old church and a nice man told me a bit about the history of it. There is no lighting in the church, so they use candles, this looks lovely when they have the Christmas service. He said I was the only person he had seen, so I was pleased that I went in to have a look. 

I'll wrap this up now, and post the next part tomorrow. A look at Saltburn. 

Toodle pip

I've been away.

I had planned on going to the Festival of Thrift at Redcar on Sunday. I booked a hotel at Saltburn by the Sea for Sunday night, and a days walking was on the cards for Monday before I drove home. I changed my mind, decided I didn't want to go to the Festival, so I did two days walking instead. The hotel was amazingly fabulous.

You've been busy while I've been away, thank you all for your lovely comments on the button art. I'll be back tomorrow with some piccies of North Yorkshire.
ilona

Button it. New art.

Here you go then, it is done. It measures 17.5 inches by 19.5 inches. There are two boards one bigger than the other, and screwed together from the back. I have stretched fabric over both boards, laced at the back.

The buttons have one, two, or three coloured threads, I just kept adding it until I thought there was enough. Tried to mix up the colours and sizes. I wanted to place them close together. It was a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together where none of the pieces fit. 

The dark blue denim was given to me. 

The back of the red board, the other one was done the same. I used board I already had, it was from a café that was being cleared out. 

I used a piece of cotton bed sheet to cover the back. Hand stitched on with tiny stitches. 

I am very pleased with it. I don't make pictures to sell, I make them because I enjoy creating. Keeps my brain working, keeps my hands busy. I may have another exhibition, who knows, no rush, when I'm ready. 

Toodle pip.  ilona

Fair swap

You might remember the post I did recently about my visit to Art in the Pens, an arts and crafts event in Thirsk. Here's a link to jog your memory. I had a smashing chat with Brett James of Feral Metal, he makes all kinds of sculptures out of any scrap he comes across. Metal, glass, wood, it all gets used. I took a liking to the saws he had on display, and cheeky me managed to do a deal with him. You make me a saw, and I'll send you something I made. 

It has arrived. Pretty cool eh! I hope he likes the spoons and forks wall decoration, and uses his cloth shopping bag. I think this would look good on the Summer House. 

Brett is at the Harrogate Flower Show this weekend. Call in and say hello if you are there. He posts his whereabouts on his Facebook Page. I see he has some new hand crafted kettle lamps, they look lovely.

The button picture is completely finished, I've shown it to my friend and she thinks it is absolutely amazing. I'm pretty chuffed with it as well. Pictures coming soon. Toodle pip.  ilona