yorkshire

Wednesday 26th March 2025

We’ve just arrived home in Deanshanger after almost three weeks in the stunning county of Yorkshire … and we have definitely left a piece of our hearts there. This is the final blog for now to catch up on our last few days there.

Saturday

It was Dalby Forest Parkrun for us this week and without doubt it was the most scenic one to date – wished I’d stopped running to take photos – it was like Switzerland. Lots of forest, rivers and sheep on the sloping hillside – but great paths and not too hilly a run at all. We were joined by Lynda and Rebecca – great to have their company. Coffee after naturally then back to Lynda’s for a magnificent full English.

In the afternoon we drove out to Hutton-le-Hole for a picture perfect walk in a typical Yorkshire village. Apparently these villages are packed in the summer months but we managed to get a table in the tea shop – picked a good time of year to visit. So so pretty.

Sunday

Lynda and Paul very kindly drove us to Bridlington today so we could coastal ramble our way to Bempton Cliffs where they would pick us up. So good of them to ferry us around like this but they said they were enjoying some time off from their house renovation and also getting to see parts of the Yorkshire coastline they’d not yet visited.

So, we started off with a stretch of funfair filled promenade walk in Bridlington which led us on to some clifftop walking. We covered 6 miles in the morning sunshine and despite some pretty testing ascents and descents we loved it – coastal walking at its best – scenery beyond your wildest imagination. I was glad I had my trusty walking pole with me though, a little slippy in places and a lot of deep steps to climb down.

The path was so populated today – it was Sunday of course, and the sun was out … plus at Flamborough Head there was a huge colony of grey and common seals, basking on the rocks and in the water, so lots of families out enjoying the spectacle.

Talk about 5* service – we were met half way by Lynda and Paul with the most delicious of picnics – this was certainly a more stylish ramble today. We tucked into gammon, cheese, mayo and pickle sandwiches, tomatoes, cucumber, crisps, a selection of fruit, carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake – it was like a full on banquet. As soon as I’d taken my last mouthful I was whisked off by Steve to complete the next half of today’s walk. No chance of letting the food settle!

The next 6 miles was equally as stunning in terms of the views and terrain but unfortunately the weather took a turn – the wind picked up and we were walking into it with gloomy skies overhead. This can so alter your mood and whereas I’d loved the first half, my spirits dropped in the second half … everything seemed to hurt. Fortunately Lynda, Paul and Sneeze the dog walked out a mile to meet us – it made a huge difference having their fresh and encouraging company to get that last mile done.

The most incredible feature of this section though was the nesting birds on the cliffs – our destination at Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB reserve – the most spectacular of sights and a cacophony of sound. We were just a few weeks early for puffins sadly but it was amazing to watch and listen to the thousands of gannets – it is known as ‘Seabird City.’

12 more miles achieved today … exquisite section of coastline but I think I’ll be taking a rest for a bit.

Monday

Steve walked 18 miles (see previous blog “Reporting from the Yorkshire Moors”)

Lynda and I drove Steve to his start point in Scarborough and after waving him off we embarked on an 8 mile look around this wonderful seaside town … and Sneeze came too. Another sunny blue sky day for us to enjoy strolling along the beach, watching the magnificent waves, seeing the town’s wonderful old buildings and pretty harbourside, climbing up to the castle and back down for more beach. Fitted in a mid-morning coffee and – it just had to be – chips with salt and vinegar on the sands. And back to Bempton Cliffs to rescue our weary coastal walker!

Tuesday

Absolutely no coastal walking but still two walks. Farndale Daffodil Walk in the morning – an incredible experience to both walk and drive through these mind blowing Yorkshire Moors, it’s like another world. Sadly there was not the carpet of daffodils we were expecting, possibly we were a little early – a gorgeous walk all the same. Then in the afternoon we drove to the market town of Helmsley – again, chocolate box prettiness – a dream place to live I imagine, wonderful shops.

We have managed to tick off a further 170 miles of coastal path on this trip – we’re getting there!

These 5 days in Kirkbymoorside with Lynda and Paul have been fabulous – they are just the best hosts ever. We have eaten like Kings (Lynda is an amazing cook), we have laughed, chatted, played games, explored the area and consumed a fair amount of vino … not to mention the cheese and port. They have a beautiful home in this perfect town on the edge of the Moors …. I’m not at all envious!!!!! They are lovely friends and we will be back.

Farewell Yorkshire, for now. xx

Thursday 6th March 2025

Yesterday we drove up to our latest house-sitting assignment in the village of Anlaby, East Riding – just a short bus ride away from the interesting city of Hull. We’re here to see what the Yorkshire coastal path has to offer us in the way of adventure.

I have to say that today’s ramble was gorgeously straightforward – easy terrain, blue skies and oodles of sunshine. We parked up in the Hessle Foreshore Country Park car park and were immediately wowed by the views of the quite magnificent Humber Bridge, so majestic. And on our walk up to the bus stop we were further impressed by the grand houses with sweeping driveways – breathtaking but every newspaper boy’s nightmare. We had to admit that this is just not what we expected of Hull.

Two different bus rides took us to where we wanted to start our walk today and it was the perfect chance to get our first glimpse of the city. We said it so many times today – so different to our expectations – stunning period architecture mixed in with clean modern buildings, smart streets with vibrant atmosphere – we just can’t wait to explore more.

*Starting off from the industrial area of Salt End – the large Siemens site* (wind turbine blades in the background).

These towers are connected with either the gas powered power station or more likely a large chemical production facility … check out this list … acetic acid, anhydride, ammonia, butanol, ethyl acetate and vinyl copolymer … yes I don’t know either!

Salt End is where we started and it was a long straight walk through an impressive large scale industrial area – the pavement being wide and plentiful and set well aside from the road. Great coastal path signs too, confirming we were doing okay thus far. And the signs eventually led us off the main road and along to the Humber Estuary, this magnificently wide river basking in sunshine. Estuary walking generally means trudging along muddy paths or suffering high winds on embankment walls, but not today – the path almost the whole stretch was like a promenade, all our dreams come true! For a section we were diverted off and into the quayside area, down a popular street of pavement cafes and colourful shops. At the harbour we had to walk over a small lock and then an incredibly high lock – needed us to switch on our ‘head for heights’ bravery. Made for interesting views over the city though.

The last two miles we were provided with a kerbside path that was fenced off from the high volume of traffic on a major road – noisy but, like the rest of the day, perfectly manageable.

*Nearing the end of our 10 mile walk at the magnificent Humber Bridge*.

A bowl of Shreddies, a Gregg’s sausage roll and a fruit bar had fuelled our 10 mile walk today – no cup of tea stops unfortunately. And sadly I have the onset of a sore throat and head cold, so have stocked up on a concoction of strepsils, lem-sip, Jakemans, Paracetamol and vitamin C – nothing’s going to stop me on my quest!

It’s wonderful to be back on the path – we’re lapping up this fresh air and sunshine – long may it last.

So so sunny Yorkshire!

The rambling roses

Come along with us on our journeys :)

We love Yorkshire … it’s official

So so sunny Yorkshire