The god of weather was looking after us with bright blue skies again this morning; if we don't get any more this week we've done well to get 2 days of clear blue skies which is a bit of a bonus for November in the UK. So an earlier than normal start was planned.
We have a couple of inland walks planned for this week, but today we would take advantage of the nice weather and head a little way up the coast to visit a couple of bays, with some coastal walking all thrown in.
It only took us about 20 minutes from setting off to parking up at the public car-park in Runswick Bay, the one at the bottom of the steep hill close to the beach if you've ever been there before. Although I say beach, as the tide was very close to it's high point during the day we weren't able to take a stroll along the beach.
Donna had looked at photos of Runswick Bay on the internet and it had looked gorgeous, however the photos didn't do it justice. Ok; blue skies and a relatively low sun in the sky always add to the beauty of a place, but with the houses nestled on the hill looking down over the bay it really was picture postcard. Being November it was very quiet; in fact you got the feeling that it had closed down for winter so we weren't that surprised that there was nowhere open for a cuppa.
We also wanted to pay a visit to Port Mulgrave 2 miles further up the coast. This was once (as the name suggests) a port, albeit a small one, but it was 'scuttled' by the Royal Engineers in the second world war to ensure that it couldn't be used for landings by the Germans. So instead of driving there, we chose to pick up the Cleveland Way and do the 4 mile round-trip along the tops of the cliffs.
The first part of the walk was fine if a little muddy, but unfortunately as we got close to Port Mulgrave the path became even muddier, and with it's close proximity to the edge of the cliffs we decided to turn back. The worse thing was that we could now see down to Port Mulgrave we were that close; but it's going nowhere so will it will be there for another day. At the end of the day you won't enjoy your walk if you are too wary of where you're walking!
We turned around and headed back to Runswick Bay, and on a positive note we'd managed to walk 3 miles in total so we can be happy with that little burn-up. After arriving back at the car we made the decision to head a little further up the road to Staithes. We'd been here a couple of years ago but it's well worth a visit even for those who had already tasted it's delights.
Visitors aren't allowed to drive down the steep road into Staithes, that's for residents only, so you have to park at the public car-park at the top of the hill and walk down. However the walk down is well worth it as it's a beautiful small port, cobbled streets and painted houses with a few traditional shops and galleries. It's quite imposing with the high cliffs surrounding it and you can just picture smugglers sailing into the port in the dead of night in years gone by. It's just that sort of place. Although we've never been to Cornwall on holiday I imagine this to be similar to may of the small fishing ports that the area is renowned for.
After the calf burning walk back up the hill it was time to set off back for lunch and then we planned to visit Whitby Abbey again. However, Donna checked the website when we arrived back and it's closed for winter, 'best laid plans' and all that. A pity, but my 4hr siesta made up for it....
We have a couple of inland walks planned for this week, but today we would take advantage of the nice weather and head a little way up the coast to visit a couple of bays, with some coastal walking all thrown in.
It only took us about 20 minutes from setting off to parking up at the public car-park in Runswick Bay, the one at the bottom of the steep hill close to the beach if you've ever been there before. Although I say beach, as the tide was very close to it's high point during the day we weren't able to take a stroll along the beach.
Donna had looked at photos of Runswick Bay on the internet and it had looked gorgeous, however the photos didn't do it justice. Ok; blue skies and a relatively low sun in the sky always add to the beauty of a place, but with the houses nestled on the hill looking down over the bay it really was picture postcard. Being November it was very quiet; in fact you got the feeling that it had closed down for winter so we weren't that surprised that there was nowhere open for a cuppa.
We also wanted to pay a visit to Port Mulgrave 2 miles further up the coast. This was once (as the name suggests) a port, albeit a small one, but it was 'scuttled' by the Royal Engineers in the second world war to ensure that it couldn't be used for landings by the Germans. So instead of driving there, we chose to pick up the Cleveland Way and do the 4 mile round-trip along the tops of the cliffs.
The first part of the walk was fine if a little muddy, but unfortunately as we got close to Port Mulgrave the path became even muddier, and with it's close proximity to the edge of the cliffs we decided to turn back. The worse thing was that we could now see down to Port Mulgrave we were that close; but it's going nowhere so will it will be there for another day. At the end of the day you won't enjoy your walk if you are too wary of where you're walking!
We turned around and headed back to Runswick Bay, and on a positive note we'd managed to walk 3 miles in total so we can be happy with that little burn-up. After arriving back at the car we made the decision to head a little further up the road to Staithes. We'd been here a couple of years ago but it's well worth a visit even for those who had already tasted it's delights.
Visitors aren't allowed to drive down the steep road into Staithes, that's for residents only, so you have to park at the public car-park at the top of the hill and walk down. However the walk down is well worth it as it's a beautiful small port, cobbled streets and painted houses with a few traditional shops and galleries. It's quite imposing with the high cliffs surrounding it and you can just picture smugglers sailing into the port in the dead of night in years gone by. It's just that sort of place. Although we've never been to Cornwall on holiday I imagine this to be similar to may of the small fishing ports that the area is renowned for.
After the calf burning walk back up the hill it was time to set off back for lunch and then we planned to visit Whitby Abbey again. However, Donna checked the website when we arrived back and it's closed for winter, 'best laid plans' and all that. A pity, but my 4hr siesta made up for it....
Comments
Post a Comment