Walk: 10:50am to 3:20pm - 8 miles and 700ft of ascent
Today certainly reminded us that we haven't done much walking over the last 10 months or so, as at the end of a relatively gentle walk we both felt like we'd been on an army route march for 3 days. Getting back to the cottage was like winning the lottery as we could jump in the shower and freshen up, then put our feet up and just relax. That was until it was time to get back up again and we were both in need of a Zimmer frame...lol
The weather forecast was mixed but not a lot of rain expected, so we took the short drive to Cloughton where we would park the car and then pick up the Cinder Track and head north. However, that didn't end up being as simple as it sounds. We drove down a single track lane and passed a place where we could park the car so I decided to turn the car around. But, what I hadn't noticed was that the entrance to the field which I was taking advantage of to turn the car was VERY muddy and we got stuck!
It took about 20 minutes to get back onto the lane after we'd tried various options to get the car moving again. In the end we put two large towels from the boot just in front of the wheels, Donna took control of the car and I pushed and we managed to move the car in a tight semi-circle and back onto the tarmac. We ended up with muddy footwear and very dirty car mats, but somehow that didn't seem important. It added a little extra to the adventure I suppose and we did laugh about it afterwards.
As soon as we were ready we headed down the short path to pick up the Cinder Track and head north. The walk along the track can rarely be described as exciting as interesting sights are few and far between, but you can get up some extra pace and occasionally you come across an old converted train station and overgrown platforms taking you back to the time when the track carried the train from Scarborough to Whitby.
We had planned to follow the track until we saw signs for the Shire Horse Farm which would have made an interesting stop-off, however the signs were non-existent and the next we knew we were about 1/2 mile past the turn that we had expected to see. Never mind, there was no point in turning back and trying to find the path to the farm so we continued until we reached a junction at 'meetinghouse' where we took the path east across to pick up the Cleveland Way.
The path down the Cleveland Way takes you past some great coastline as it skirts along the top of the cliffs, but thankfully for Donna, never getting that close to them. After an hour or so we dropped down the path into Hayburn Wyke with my knee's certainly feeling the stresses and strains as we carefully followed the steep stepped path down. Once down we set ourselves down on some rocks for 10 minutes or so and took on board some refreshments.
It was the path back up to the coastal path that made me realise how out of shape I'd become in the last 10 months or so. The ascent out of the Wyke was only around 250-300ft but it was very steep and by the time I reached the top I was so glad that I'd done so as my legs were just about to give up. Donna had found it hard but she doesn't do all the moaning that I do...lol
Thankfully the last couple of miles were gentle coastal path and a rough track taking us back to the car. It's a long time since I've been that pleased to sit down, and no, we wouldn't be leaving the cottage tonight. And I was very proud of how well Donna had done considering all that she's been through the last 12 months or so, to go 8 miles was a fantastic achievement but that said she never fails to surprise me.
Today certainly reminded us that we haven't done much walking over the last 10 months or so, as at the end of a relatively gentle walk we both felt like we'd been on an army route march for 3 days. Getting back to the cottage was like winning the lottery as we could jump in the shower and freshen up, then put our feet up and just relax. That was until it was time to get back up again and we were both in need of a Zimmer frame...lol
As soon as we were ready we headed down the short path to pick up the Cinder Track and head north. The walk along the track can rarely be described as exciting as interesting sights are few and far between, but you can get up some extra pace and occasionally you come across an old converted train station and overgrown platforms taking you back to the time when the track carried the train from Scarborough to Whitby.
The path down the Cleveland Way takes you past some great coastline as it skirts along the top of the cliffs, but thankfully for Donna, never getting that close to them. After an hour or so we dropped down the path into Hayburn Wyke with my knee's certainly feeling the stresses and strains as we carefully followed the steep stepped path down. Once down we set ourselves down on some rocks for 10 minutes or so and took on board some refreshments.
Thankfully the last couple of miles were gentle coastal path and a rough track taking us back to the car. It's a long time since I've been that pleased to sit down, and no, we wouldn't be leaving the cottage tonight. And I was very proud of how well Donna had done considering all that she's been through the last 12 months or so, to go 8 miles was a fantastic achievement but that said she never fails to surprise me.
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