Robin Hood's Bay

It doesn't seem possible that as I write this on the train back to Ilkley late on Wednesday evening that we were travelling in the opposite direction only yesterday morning. TJ and I seem to have a habit of packing what feels like a week of activity into just a couple of days. Today has seen us walk some more of the Cleveland Way, this time from Whitby south to Robin Hood's Bay. The weather has been beautiful with sunshine for most of the time and not even a single shower to have to try to dodge! Once again, the visibility has been superb and the light near perfect for photograpy.

We've been perusing our pictures on the train and have some really stunning shots, first of Staithes, where we had a bimble first thing, then of Whitby, where we discovered and really enjoyed the town's charming side as opposed to the more tacky side seen yesterday, especially so when we returned late this afternoon, with the low evening sun bathing the harbour in a gorgeous orange glow. Our favourite pictures, though, came from the coastal path where we were able to view the most incredible expanse of foreshore revealed by the very low equinox tide. Both the geological and man-made features threw up lots of intriguing questions as to their origin. We both want to know a lot more about this fascinating area.

The most photogenic spot of the day was surely Robin Hood's Bay, where we finished our walk and spent an absorbing hour exploring every little nook, cranny, alleyway and step of this histroric little fishing village. Much like Staithes, it's not difficult to imagine how these steep little streets were once filled with the hustle and bustle of fisherfolk in the same way that they are now filled with tourists!

We should have had a relaxing journey back to Ilkley from Whitby, but that was somewhat scuppered when the train to Middlesbrough was cancelled. There was no notice or announcement. We were informed by the bus driver who had the job of visiting all the stations en route, no mean task as this railway cuts through the moors and the route by road was quite tortuous in places. We got involved with the navigation and also checking whether anyone was waiting on various remote platforms for the non-existent train! After over an hour of driving we happened to notice a road sign indicating that Whitby was just 8 miles away!

We inevitably missed our connection for the last train that would get us home to Ilkley but customer service was very good and organised for a taxi to be waiting for us at Leeds. Faith in our public transport system was restored slightly! It has indeed been a very hectic, action-packed and thoroughly memorable little adventure.