Arrived home mid-evening yesterday after quite a tiring journey back from Scarborough, calling at Coventry to see Andrew and take him to the Harvester at Allesley for lunch. Said Harvester turned out to be bursting at the seams, even at 3.30pm; a large number of the bursters were children, so noise levels were high. Nevertheless we persevered and waited 20 minutes for a table, then rather more for the food, which can best be described as ordinary. Only the waitress was outstanding.
The road between the M18 and Scarborough (A614) was a trial both ways, despite its basic attractiveness. Slow-moving vehicles were all over it like a rash, and no-one seemed to remember how to overtake. As a result we found ourselves at the back of queues, behind caravettes, caravans, tractors and dreary drivers generally. Coming home I tried a different route, which was initially successful, but we then got diverted into Hull after missing a turning. Found ourselves passing the Hull Daily Mail building. Nostalgic, or what?
While at Scarborough we had a pleasant time in reasonably warm weather. The first day (Thursday) was in fact quite hot down on Scarborough seafront, where we had tea in one cafe and lunch in another before Dot and Julia headed to the shops and Dave and I went on a tour of the harbour, followed by a walk around and then over the headland. Bus back: total walking between four and five miles.
On Friday we took a bus to Whitby, where it was a bit duller and a bit cooler, but still pleasant enough. After an interesting journey via Robin Hood’s Bay we had a magnificent fish and chips lunch at Trencher’s – an impressive restaurant – then walked through the town, taking in numerous delightful little shops (I quote) before emerging on to the harbour wall, where it was a bit colder but fascinating. Again, between four and five miles. The double-decker journey back was even more interesting, as we got front seats up top.
The major walk came on Saturday, another sunny day. We started near Goathland and walked down to Mallyan Spout, a waterfall spilling into a quiet valley. Then we walked to Beck Hole, where we had a pub lunch (cheese sandwich and cider) before walking along the old railway line to Grosmont. Here we looked round a gallery before wondering whether to take the early or late steam train back to Goathland.
On hearing that the early train was to be drawn by Sir Nigel Gresley, a Mallard-type engine with a top speed of 112mph, a quick decision was made by Julia and Dave to jump on it, and we were fortunate that the only seats were first class. This should have attracted a surplus fare, but as the train was full, it didn’t. So we had comfort as well as privilege. We didn’t quite make 112mph on the three-mile trip, but we were certainly into double figures.
On arriving at Goathland we rushed out to snap Sir Nigel, but the fact that the platform was too short for the train threatened to thwart us. Happily its departure was delayed long enough for us to get out of the station and on to the hill outside, where we got a great view. Some nice photographs, and Dot and I both got a good video when it did eventually pull out. I also got a video of some rally cars that happened to be passing.
From the station we had a walk of about a mile back to the car, which gave us a total of just over nine miles for the day according to my app: however 2½ of these were on the train. Dave’s pedometer showed longer walking, but as it measures steps, it tends not to be too accurate when there’s a lot of up and down.
In the evening we walked down the road to Tuscany Too and had an excellent meal – mine featuring an outstanding rack of lamb. Lovely restaurant. Happily we were able to catch a bus back.