Fab coastal walk. Saltburn to Staithes.

Monday morning and it's time to leave the hotel and go for a walk. The plan is to take the coastal path, The Cleveland Way, and walk to Staithes. If I get on with it I might have time to walk back as well. It's about 8 miles each way I left my car at the hotel, and set off. Up the road to get on the path. 

Climbing up to the top, there is a big stone marking the route. 

Looking down at Saltburn. 

Along the cliff top are several of these stones with messages on them. Some of them have the phone number of the Samaritans on them. It is pretty high up here, with nothing to stop someone going over the edge. 

The metal sculpture, it's still here. Check this previous blog post from my last visit and you will see the same picture. In fact you will see copies of other pictures as well. 

I arrived at Skinningrove and sat down for ten minutes, knowing I had to climb these steps.

Made it. I like looking back at where I have come from. That cliff over there in the distance is where the path goes. 

Down there is Skinningrove.

Keep going, onward and upward. Not far to go now. sign at Boulby.

Still looks the same after six years. The houses are all crammed together on the side of the hill. There is no parking for visitors, unless the property you are staying at has a small space next to it. Holiday makers and some residents have to park in a designated car park at the top of the hill, and walk down to the old town, and walk back up again. 

This cottage looks like it has had a fresh coat of paint. It's got a bit more foliage around it than last time I saw it. 

Staithes has two sides, the footbridge links them.

After a look around, I found an arts and crafts shop, I realised I hadn't got enough time to walk back. I went up to the bus stop on the main road. Ten minutes later I got on the bus, they run every half hour. Through Easington, Loftus, and Skinningrove, getting off at the next village, Brotton. From there I walked back to the car. 

Time to drive back home. I thought I was going to be too late at Tesco for the yellow stickers, at 8pm, but luckily the trolley was wheeled out with some bargains to choose from. A good end to two days away. 

Writing this on Saturday morning, it looks like another sunny day. My walking miles are on target so I don't need to go for another walk, except a short one around my village. Ten days left of this month, plenty of time to squeeze a few more miles in. I did a walk with Vicki on Thursday so that has given me a few extra. Some pics of that to come. 

I was out in the summer house yesterday, so I'll probably do that again today, after a bit of garden tidying. Just got an idea for a new artwork. It will be smaller than the last one so shouldn't take so long to do. I have started planning for the talk and demo I am giving at the sewing shop in two weeks time. need to get on with that. Enjoy your weekend. 

Toodle pip. ilona  

A WOW hotel

I've often wondered what a Boutique Hotel is, now I know. This is the Brockley Hall Hotel. at Saltburn. Looks rather grand from the front. 

A beautiful old building, with a big extension at the back. It has 30 en suite rooms.

In the entrance hall as you go in. I had a nice surprise when I checked in, they had upgraded me to a double room. 

Meeting room.

There were flower decorations everywhere.

The Flamingo Room.

The restaurant.

My breakfast table.

Look at the ceiling, amazing.

The lounge area. High backed comfy chairs.

The bar lounge.

Love these quirky cushions.

The courtyard.

These gypsy caravans are for hire, for the day. Not for sleeping in, but for entertaining and partying with friends.

This was my September treat. The staff were very friendly, the breakfast was first class, and it's ideally situated for Saltburn town and beaches and Promenade. No this isn't an advert, I paid for my room, I am just passing on my opinions of it. I would love to go back there one day.

Today I have been walking again. I met up with Vicki and we did 10 miles in the Yorkshire Wolds. A few pictures from this walk, after I have posted those from my Monday walk from Saltburn to Staithes. So if you like countryside pictures come back soon.
Toodle pip.

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