_{SATURDAY 19TH}

 

_{Yesterday we left Castleton and drove through heavy fog, the  visibility was almost zilch in some places which was a pity because we were in some of the nice mountainous areas and} the villages in these mountains.  As the morning wore on it improved and by the time we got onto the main roads it was much better.  We stopped at Wimslow and vacuumed the car and then went through the car wash.  It was pretty dirty after 7 weeks of travel.  We then drove on towards Manchester Airport and finally dropped the car off at the car rental return depot.  This was not our original plan but we couldn’t find the hotel we had booked into so decided it was better to ditch the car and get a taxi to the hotel which is what we did. This took up the best part of the afternoon.  

 

This was taken on Thursday when we were driving up around the Edale area.  We sat watching for the break in the clouds and were rewarded when there was just a little bit of sunlight  in the valley for a few seconds.
 

This morning we are repacking the cases and making the sardines fit back in the can.  Things never seem to fit the second time like they did the first time.   We catch the plane tonight at 9.00 so will just mooch around the hotel for the rest of the day.  Of course it is showery and miserable.   We keep reading the updates about the fires in NSW.  They sound frightening and just hope that our family and friends are safe. 

We arrive in New Zealand on Monday so actually miss Sunday altogether.  How strange is that. 



CASTLETON

_{THURSDAY 17TH}

_{Today is has been much nicer that yesterday when in rained constantly all} day and we really just spent the day reading only braving the weather to go out and have a long lunch at a local pub. 

 

We made the most of the day today and started doing an underground canal boat ride through an old tunnel that was dug in the 18^th century when the lead miners needed access to underground mines.  We were 200 meters underground and finished in a big old mine.  The tunnel was very low and we had to wear hard hats and were glad of them if you straightened up out of the crouching position whilst in the boat.    We then drove up through the Derwent Valley passed two reservoirs or dams.  This is where the Dam Busters trained before they dropped the bomb over a dam in Germany during WW2.  I was interested in this because one of those known as the Dam Busters was from Manilla (NSW) where I grew up and Don Kennedy was an absolute hero when I was a child.  He was a solicitor and I worked for him when I first left school.

Later we had lunch nearby and as it was still fine, although overcast, so we decided to go back over the hills around us and we could see much more today than on Tuesday when we first arrived at Castleton.

 

TUESDAY 15^TH

_{I didn’t write anything about yesterday probably because it was such a miserable wet day I wanted to forget it last night.  Ian went off to do a walk that he had planned to do from Bakewell to Rowsley donned in his rain gear and hat and I later went for a walk up around the village.  I finished up getting wetter than him.  It was market day in Bakewell and the village was very busy.  Apparently it is not unusual for up to 40 coaches to arrive in the place on market day.   Later in the morning we went for a drive around the area however it was really hard to see much of the Peaks because the mist was so thick.  We had some lunch at Hartington and did a circle back to Bakewell.  Called and bought a Bakewell Pudding at the Bakery and went back to the B & B and just sat around reading.}

_{Today we left the B & B at Bakewell.  Although it was still overcast the rain had stopped and we drove to Eyam.  This little village was where there was a plague in 1665 and the village was isolated for a year.  Many of the residents died during that year  Geraldine Brooks wrote a book,  The Year of Wonders, which we had read and it was interesting going to the village and the Museum and reading more about it.  We also found the well and stone where the outside villages left food for the people in Eyam to survive during the year.} 

_{We then drove on to Castleton and had lunch here.  Over lunch we decided to stay here for the night as we are getting close to Manchester where we finish our trip on Friday.  It was a good decision as we were able to drive around the Peaks this afternoon and see the rugged hills and valleys that the area is known for even though it was still overcast of misty at least it was dry.}

Today we could see the multi layers of mountain peaks through the mist. There are many different shapes and levels.

 

BAKEWELL

SUNDAY 13^TH

It was still raining this morning.  We went down to breakfast at our appointed 8.15.  Yesterday the owner recommended the oat cakes so I decided to try them.  They were like a heavy pancake folded over a filling of bacon and cheese.  Very filling and not something I will try again in the morning.  Ian went off for a short walk around Bakewell and found the shop that sells Bakewell puddings, the main reason we are here I think and I am sure will be back there tomorrow to try one.

Later we caught the steam train from Rowsley South to Matlock, maybe this was the attraction.  It was only a 20 minute trip.  We got off and walked down through Matlock village.   We decided to eat in an Italian Restaurant for a change and had a lovely meal.  It was certainly a change from pub food.  We wandered back through the village looking at the various shops.  We are surprised at the number of Antique and Collectibles shops throughout all these small villages and they are very popular with the English people.  They use a lot of wallpaper in their interiors and flowery curtains which suit the old style buildings and heavy furniture.

When we finished lunch the rain had stopped and there was some faint sun however it didn’t take long for the dark clouds to come back.  We caught the train back to Rowsley South and drove back to the B & B.  We were both well and truly full from lunch and didn’t even need our usual snack at tea time.   The rain returned and continues again tonight. 

All he needs is the right accent

One of the many pheasants we used to watch in the orchard at Melbourne Hall.

YORK TO BAKEWELL AND MATLOCK

SATURDAY 12^TH

Time to move on again.  It was raining when we packed up and left Melbourne Hall.   It has been a nice week and we have really enjoyed the rural atmosphere and sitting watching the birds in the trees and the pheasants in the orchard. 

The rain continued all the way to Matlock where we intended to stay however couldn’t find a B & B with a vacancy so drove on to Bakewell where we were lucky enough to score one room for two nights.  The rain has continued since we arrived. 

We had lunch in a pub called Arkwright which really tickled Ian’s fancy.  He loved Ronnie Barker in ‘Open all Hours’   Don’t think the pub would open all hours though. 

At last I have some decent service with the internet connection and have been able to put on some photos and get the blog done without it cutting out.  Technology is great till it doesn't work well.   

FRIDAY 11^TH

This morning we went off driving to see if we could find the start of the Canal we had walked along earlier in the week however couldn’t.  We did find a lock along the way in another part that still hasn’t been restored.  This drive took us through a number of little villages and some farm land.  After doing some shopping in the supermarket at Polklington (the largest of the villages nearby)  we went back to the cottage for lunch.  Later in the afternoon we met up with Simon and followed him to his place where we had a lovely home cooked meal .   Before dinner he and Ian went for a walk up to see his shop and other things around their suburb just a few minutes out of York City centre.    We found our way home without any problems.

Part of a Canal that has not been restored.  As the restoration is by volunteers it is a long slow job as they are choked with grass and weeds.

THURSDAY 10^TH. 

We decided to go back into York today and left the car at the Park and Ride.  Ian went off wandering around the city again looking at the various old buildings that he had on his list and I went back to the  Shambles and did some shopping in the little shops there.  Afterwards I went to a couple of Department Stores however Department stores are the same the world over and I didn’t see anything that said ‘buy me’.   I met up with Ian for lunch and we then walked up to the York Minster, a beautiful old cathedral built between 1220 and 1480.  It is huge and easy to understand how it took over two hundred years to build.  There was a long queue to go in and, as we had been into it last time we were here, we decided to give it a miss.  The weather had turned really bitter during the day and started the misty rain so we went back to the car and drove home.   Up until now we had been saying how everything is overheated but we glad of the warmth when we got inside.



Roy.  Melbourne Hall Estate was a horse stud for many years and this man was the Groom.  When the Hall was sold to it's present owners he sold Roy a little cottage on the property to live in so that he was able to stay on.  Roy, at 83, likes to keep the place looking ship shape and 'besides, what else would I do with my day after I've fed my horses and check the stock on the place,  after all I'm only 83.  Not sure if you can see but he is wearing a white shirt and tie under the dust jacket.  Old habits are hard to undo. 

WEDNESDAY 9^th

We went off walking this morning along the restored part of the Canal that Ian discovered on Monday and then continued on along the part that is still awaiting restoration to a bridge on the way to another village.  The walk along the tow path was very rough and we had to be careful not to tread in holes which we well hidden in grass.  It was a nice day and warm walking.  Later in the afternoon we met up with Guy’s friend Simon and his wife Leanne and two little boys, Thomas and Harry, both very active little fellows.  We had an early tea at a pub between Melbourne and York.  Although it was only a short catch up it was nice to do so. 



Some of the Long Boats anchored in the Canal.  I liked the name of the one in front.  "Still Thinking".  I wander what?

More photos

The Atlas Fountain in the grounds of the Castle looking through the window of the dining room



Howard Castle.  The Dome at the back right collapsed in the fine in 1940 and has been replaced. 

 The Dome which has been replaced.  The artwork was copied by a Canadian from old black and white photographs and drawings.  This stands above the great hall where functions are often held (I guess for VIPs)

The Shambles in York.  The buildings overhang the narrow road leading through.

Photos that I couldn't do last week

White Cliffs with caves at North Landing

Foggy Morning at Whitby.  The beach looks very different when the sun is not shining.

WHITBY TO YORK

 

FRIDAY 4^TH

It was very foggy when we woke up and I knew the tide would be low so we went down to the Marina to take some photos however the fog was more around the beach area although there were boats sitting out on the mud waiting for the tide to come in.  We drove around further  to where the river goes out to sea without much luck for photos.  The best were up around the beach where the beach chalets were.  Ian went off for a walk after breakfast and then we drove to Ruswarp not all that far away from Whitby had some lunch and waited for the steam train to come through.   We were back at the flat by mid afternoon and just sat around reading for the rest of the afternoon.   Watched the funniest show on TV.  Ronnie Corbett comparing this thing about a dog whisperer.  He obviously didn’t take it seriously, anymore that we did and it was a good laugh.  Ian kept saying ‘do we have to watch this?’ 

SATURDAY 5^TH

 

Time to move on.  After a long farewell with our landlord (we felt he was a very lonely man) we left Whitby and went down towards Scarborough stopping at Ravenscar on the way.  From here we had a great view back to Robin Hood Bay and the cliffs that Ian walked along on his walk.  Then on to Scarborough which is a very commercial holiday destination.  Lots of Fun parlors, souvenir shops and heaps of hotels, guest houses etc around the beach. It must be bedlam in the peak holiday season.  Donkey rides on the beach.  We didn’t stay long, just had a quick walk around and moved on.  Not my sort of place.  We drove through a few more villages and seaside places eventually coming to North Landing.  This is a little bay surrounded by chalk cliffs with caves in them.  Perfect place for smugglers.  We had lunch in a pub there and then went to South Landing, the other side of the headland and walked down around past the lighthouse and the lighthouse buildings.  Again the chalk cliffs and little caves. 

Time was getting away so we drove on to Melbourne, about 12 miles from York where we have booked a cottage for the week.  We are in the Chauffer’s Cottage, part of a manor estate.  It is very nice.  The wife greeted us and assured us her husband would be in to tell us all we needed to know.  As promised he came and we didn’t think we would ever get rid of him.  He had a note book with a list of things to tell us about which went on and on.  He reminded me of a couple of English gentlemen we deal with from time to time.  There were some nice little cup cakes as a welcome as well as a bottle of wine, so we are not complaining. 

FRIDAY 4^TH

It was very foggy when we woke up and I knew the tide would be low so we went down to the Marina to take some photos however the fog was more around the beach area although there were boats sitting out on the mud waiting for the tide to come in.  We drove around further  to where the river goes out to sea without much luck for photos.  The best were up around the beach where the beach chalets were.  Ian went off for a walk after breakfast and then we drove to Ruswarp not all that far away from Whitby had some lunch and waited for the steam train to come through.   We were back at the flat by mid afternoon and just sat around reading for the rest of the afternoon.   Watched the funniest show on TV.  Ronnie Corbett comparing this thing about a dog whisperer.  He obviously didn’t take it seriously, anymore that we did and it was a good laugh.  Ian kept saying ‘do we have to watch this?’ 

SATURDAY 5^TH

 

Time to move on.  After a long farewell with our landlord (we felt he was a very lonely man) we left Whitby and went down towards Scarborough stopping at Ravenscar on the way.  From here we had a great view back to Robin Hood Bay and the cliffs that Ian walked along on his walk.  Then on to Scarborough which is a very commercial holiday destination.  Lots of Fun parlors, souvenir shops and heaps of hotels, guest houses etc around the beach. It must be bedlam in the peak holiday season.  Donkey rides on the beach.  We didn’t stay long, just had a quick walk around and moved on.  Not my sort of place.  We drove through a few more villages and seaside places eventually coming to North Landing.  This is a little bay surrounded by chalk cliffs with caves in them.  Perfect place for smugglers.  We had lunch in a pub there and then went to South Landing, the other side of the headland and walked down around past the lighthouse and the lighthouse buildings.  Again the chalk cliffs and little caves. 

Time was getting away so we drove on to Melbourne, about 12 miles from York where we have booked a cottage for the week.  We are in the Chauffer’s Cottage, part of a manor estate.  It is very nice.  The wife greeted us and assured us her husband would be in to tell us all we needed to know.  As promised he came and we didn’t think we would ever get rid of him.  He had a note book with a list of things to tell us about which went on and on.  He reminded me of a couple of English gentlemen we deal with from time to time.  There were some nice little cup cakes as a welcome as well as a bottle of wine, so we are not complaining. 

SUNDAY 6^th

We had a quiet day mainly just reading and relaxing.  We walked up to the local pub and had some lunch and walked around the little village which really didn’t take very long.  No photos.  Actually didn’t even take my camera out.

MONDAY 7^TH

Ian went for his walk after breakfast and discovered a small canal here which he walked along and continued along the tow path for a while.  Many of the old canals are being restored by local volunteers however it is a long process as they are really clogged up with debris and overgrown.  When he came back we went off to Stamford Bridge and found the two markers, one in the town and another overlooking the site where the Stamford Bridge battle happened in 1066.  This is where King Harold defeated the Norwegian invaders before he had to rush down to defend his throne at the Battle of Hastings which he lost to William the Conqueror.  The rest is history.   We then drove on to Castle Howard.  The grounds are fantastic and the interior is very interesting.  It was built in 1699 and still being lived in by some of the Howard family.  There was a fire in 1940 however most of it has been restored.  Brideshead Revisted was filmed here.  We were too late arriving at the Lavender Gardens however knew that it wasn’t the right season for lavender anyway.

TUESDAY 8^TH

Again Ian went off on his morning walk and then we drove to the Park and Ride depot, parked and caught the bus into York.  Our first stop was the Shambles.  This is where our son, Guy, worked when he was living in York 20 years ago in the fruit market.  This has changed hands since and is now smaller than it was when we went there 10 years ago  We had met the man in the fish market last time and went and asked about him to discover that he passed away 10 years ago.  Time changes so many things.  We then went off wandering around the old part of York.  So many old historic buildings still exist.  I spent some time trying to top up my internet modem in a shop and finished up with a new Sim card after a lot of frustration.  We caught the bus back to the car and drove back to Melbourne along some little roads that are so narrow. 

SANDSEND

THURSDAY 3^RD

Ian went for a walk this morning after the mobile “Chips Away” fellow had finished repairing the few scratches to the car which happened the first day we had it when Ian reversing in a very tiny street.  Ian wanted to see another viaduct that we saw when we were on the train yesterday. 

When he came back we went off to Saltburn where we had lunch at a pub down by the water.  This is another of those coastal towns where the main centre is up above the cliff with very little down at the water.   We then drove back through Staithes where we couldn’t drive into the village but had to park at the top of the hill and walk down a steep hill to the bottom, not unlike Robin Hood Bay and then on to Runswick and then to Sandsend.  The weather was deteriorating rapidly and by the time we got to Sandsend the tide was in and the seas were rough and blowing up over the sea wall.  It started raining lightly however the wind continued. 

Tonight on the weather the forecast is for a bad night and up to 3 mm of rain and possible flooding.  Not sure if they really meant 3 mm however the rain is not very heavy, just cold. 

Rough weather at Sandsend

GOATLAND STEAM TRAIN

WEDNESDAY 2^ND

Although Ian said there were no more steam train trips to go on he seems to notice another one every now and again.  Today we went from Whitby to Goathland.  We had been to Goathland to Pickering last time we were here so have now done the complete trip.  There were two older ladies from Sussex sitting opposite us and they kept us well entertained on the way.  Both a pair of characters.  One used  to be a truck driver for the company the other’s husband owned.  She was the most unlikely truck driver.  They came straight back to Grosmont (a little village between Whitby and Goathland) to see where the truck drivers aunt used to live.  When we got off the train at Whitby they saw us and the truck driver excitedly told us that her aunts place was now a café and the old school accommodation.  She was over the moon.    Whilst waiting for the train I told Ian I would sit and wait on the platform whilst he wandered around.  As I did some other ladies heard me say it and commented ‘another steam widow’.  The men just love the trains and they run around with cameras and videos, sniffing the steam and love to tell you where the old engines used to travel, how fast they used to go and what they were capable of carrying.

When we came back to Whitby we went to the Magpie Café for lunch.   The Magpie is known far and wide as the best fish and chips in the world.  It lives up to it’s reputation.  It was nearly 2.00pm when we arrived and only had  to line up for about 15 minutes today which was quite long enough, the wind is bitter off the water.  Last time we were here we lined up for about an hour and a half however it was a lovely sunny day that day so it didn’t matter.  Ian and I both decided to have other than fish and chips and Ian’s fish pie was great and I had the seafood hot pot which was magnificent. 

After lunch we wandered around some of the little streets on that side of the harbour.  Whitby is famous for it’s jet and these streets are lined with jet jewelry shops.   It was well after 5.00 when we walked back to our accommodation and we are both pleased to be out of that wind. 

Goathland Rail Station - note the two station men chatting across the lines.

ESK VALLEY

TUESDAY 1^ST OCTOBER

We started our day driving up to the Whitby Abbey ruins which stands on top of the hill overlooking the town.  After paying the One pound fifty pence to park for an hour we walked down to the entrance to discover it was closed.  After a walk around we drove around to the Tea Café however it was locked up.  There were lots of people walking around asking questions but no one to answer them.  We found out later that the Abbey is closed as from today Monday to Wednesday so maybe will try another day.  Should we ever come to the UK again we will budget for parking fees.   There are pay and display signs in every car park.  We walked around the Abbey 10 years ago when we called in to Whitby and it was just sitting in a paddock however it is now managed by English Heritage, I guess necessary to protect it however it all seems a bit over the top.

We then decided to drive around the Esk Valley through some of the many little villages and through the moors.  I don’t find this area half as nice as the dales however the landscape is interesting, although quite dark.  It has been dull and overcast all day with strong winds.   We finished up having lunch at Goathland (where Heartbeat was filmed).  The little pub was full so we went back to another one near the old church.  Last time we were here we were looking at the church when a lady walked up to Ian and asked if he knew where the Doctor was buried.  Of course the Doctor was in Heartbeat.  How seriously people take TV shows!!   Back to Whitby, did some shopping and home out of the wind.  Ian braved it again though and went back down to the bookshop to buy another book.   We have both read a few books on this trip. 

These vines cover a lot of the old stone buildings and are turning a beautiful red.  We've been seeing the all over the place and add lots of colour to the villages.

Close up of the leaves. 

WHITBY AND ROBIN HOOD BAY

MONDAY 30^TH

Yesterday we made the most of a nice morning and walked down to the beach.  Our little studio apartment  is not far away on the headland.  The beach  is at the bottom of a steep cliff, known as West Cliff which Ian is adamant faces east.  As we looked down we saw the row of old beach changing sheds (called chalets here).  They are all painted different colours and certainly added colour to the promenade. As we walked along towards the far end of the beach past the chalets people were using them for different things, storage etc and one lady was actually cooking breakfast or brunch inside one and it was well set up with all the things you would find in a kitchen campsite.  We came  back up to the top  and then around a few blocks finally coming back to the end of our street and having lunch in a pub nearby. It was interesting people watching along the promenade and down on the sand.  Families were there with the kids having a whale of a time making sand castles, digging holes and some were running in to the water with their gum boots on.  One lady was sitting in her chair with a crocheted rug wrapped around her reading with a coffee pot and mug on a small table beside her.  It was carvery day at the pub and again lots of families enjoying lunch.  We spent the afternoon sitting around reading and then watching a bit of TV and catching up on emails etc.  It is nice to be able to go online and stay online.  Up until now we have had so much trouble getting service.

 



Beach Chalets along the promenade at Whitby

Family Fun on the beach rugged up in the winter woollies with the wind break for shelter.

 

Today Ian left after breakfast to do the walk from Whitby to Robin Hood Bay, about 6 miles.  Robin Hood Bay is where the coast to coast walk finishes so we have seen the beginning and now the end.  The walk took him along the cliffs.   He thoroughly enjoyed it.   I walked down to the bus station and caught the bus out later in the morning and met Ian at the bus station  We then walked down to the bottom of the Bay.  This is a very steep walk down.  The old town is a twist of little lanes (no cars allowed).  A few little shops, a couple of pubs and coffee shops and lots of guest houses and B & Bs.  We had lunch overlooking the bay and then did the climb back up to the top again.  We caught the bus back to Whitby and then walked back up from the marina to our accommodation.  Our landlord called in with a bottle of wine and sat and chattered to us for about an hour.  Nice fellow who is by himself and seems to enjoy chatting.