Geo and Jack camp it up on the Coast to Coast

[Geo the Sarge]

The walk to Grosmont was similar to the previous days walk, with moorland paths and disused railway lines being most used. A couple of pics of this part as I want to get onto Grosmont and I'm running out of pc time.

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Found this toll board on an old cottage along the way, note how even then, in death they still made you pay

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[Geo the Sarge]

I then entered Grosmont, I make no apologies here, these next set of posts are for Daddy blonde Mr Kendall.

I was unaware that Grosmont was the centre for the North Yorks Moors Railway so it was delighful surprise as I entered the village that I found the local train station to be just as it was way back when.

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[Geo the Sarge]

There was quite a gathering of photographers and a couple of film crews who all seemed to be centering their attention around a set of 4 locomotives (yes TK 4 locos all tethered together, no carriages) the main one getting the attention seemed to be this one which I found quite appropriate considering "The Sarge" was visiting.

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I've never had an interest in trains previously, more to do with not having any connection or really living near a station, however this day was growing on me when this wee beauty arrived

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[Geo the Sarge]

There were also a set of Pullman carriages, I believe now part of the Oriental Express thingy that still runs but I believe is nothing like the original

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Of course no proper station is complete without it's station master, complete with hat. Meet Peter, one of the station masters here at grosmont.

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And of course none of that new fangled digital and computerised arrival and departure signage here.

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[Geo the Sarge]

You can then walk through a tunnel to the workshops where, from a viewing platform you can see the work being done on various engines.

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[Geo the Sarge]

Of course this meant I had spent about 2 hours here longer than I had planned so I decided to have dinner here so ordered up a Cod and Chips at the Station Tavern before moving on.

It was now getting dark and I had intended to make my way to Littlebeck which would give me a nice comfy 8/9 mile walk into the finish at Robins Hood Bay, a day earlier than planned. I decided it was time to test my night time navigation skills were still intact. So headtorch on I set out to try to cover the 3 1/2 miles or so to Littlebeck in the dark.

The start of this leg is a very steep climb  to about 720 metresover about 1 mile and after about 3 miles I decided I needed to rest up so bivvid up about 50 metres to the side of a main road. I utilised a strong fenceline running parralell with the road which also offered anice matress of thick heather.

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[Geo the Sarge]

I set off early on this last morning which was very dreary with a constant drizzle. A final short crossing of the moor and then the last few miles mostly in field and country tarmac roads.

The 2 main points of interest on this route were:

The Hermitage - a huge boulder into which has been carved a cave-like sitting area. Couldn't get a decent pic inside but basically it is a carved out shelter with a stone seat carved all the way around the inside.

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And then the Falling Foss waterfall, a really wonderful spot. This is the view that most get from the walkway itself:

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[Geo the Sarge]

I noticed that there was a small path at the other side of the fence, it looked a bit dodgy and was quite a drop to the bottm, however I decided to have a look to see if it gave any better access to the waterfall. I dumped my pack and climbed over the fence. I had a good look at the route down and whilst looking quite precarious, decided I'd give it a go.

Very slippy underfoot and with a couple of climbs down the side of large rocks but I made it down and got the photos from beneath the waterful. The return climb was not easy at all, the rocks were slippy and at one point I was finding it near impossible to get a decent hold to pull myself up. I had visions of having the embarrassment of waiting for others to appear and seek assistance.

Eventually, after a few fingertip clutches and great heaving I managed to get myself back up, Alain Robert would have been impressed.

Was the risk worth it? I'll let you decide. Mother nature has that way of making you earn her wee secrets, like any good woman, she'll make you work hard before opening her bosom to you. Attenborough and the likes just don't turn up shoot some filmage and get results, they have to work hard, sometimes for days/weeks/months until the time is right and Mother nature decides they have put in the effort and then she'll release:

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Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[Geo the Sarge]

And so on to the end. really dissapointed with the final walk in across the clifftops. At one stage I could have taken a 2 mile walk down a road to take me into Robin Hoods Bay, however the Wainwright route takes you an additional 5 miles across the cliffs. very dissapointing, dull grey, windy and wet and I was totally shattered. The North Sea offered nothing in the way of views and I seen only 2 ships, well out in the distance.

I trudged on and it is only in the last 1/2 mile or so do you see the bay

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On the way down to the village the only thing of real note was this tea room perched ominously over a valley

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I made my way to the waters edge to deposit the stone carried from St Bees and dip my toe in the North Sea, therefore symbolising the end of my journey, taken by a kind lady on the shore

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[Geo the Sarge]

As tradition dictates, I made my way back up to the Bay Hotel and into Wainwrights Bar, named after the man who first marked this route. Took my one and only beer of the journey and signed the book.

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So for Geo the journey was over..............................or was it?

[Geo the Sarge]

Original plans were to finish on the Saturday and stay overnight then make my way back up to Edinburgh on the Sunday. After sitting for an hour or so welcoming and congratulating a few of the walkers I had met over the last few days, I decided to make my way to Scarborough from where I am taking the train home. I had hoped that by giving some sob story of needing to get home I'd get a quick change of ticket. The one purchased was done some time ago at less than half price.

The guy at the station said I'd have to pay the difference between ticket prices and an aditional £10 a total of about £89. Stuff it said I, I'll linger in Scarborough a while, after all I had initially expected an extra night out. I checked a few B&B's etc but prices were redic and the only Youth Hostel has now closed here in Scarborough.

I made my way to McDonalds and over a couple of burgers and some coffee decided I'd just bivvi it up again last night and tonight. I took a tour of the town and the along the promenade and must say was pretty impressed. All the while looking for a suitable spot which was difficult as it's a right steep town and any woodland is on too great a slope in which to get comfortable. I enquired whether the station remained open over night as would have dossed on the platform benches but unfortunately it closes at 11pm.

I went back to McDonalds and enquired what time they closed, midnight was the answer so decided to stay in there and use their wifi until it got a bit later and then search back down the promenade. it had been raining pretty heavily so was loathe to go near the seaside if it was going to stay like that.

[b4matt]

Very well done Geo and thanks for sharing your adventures.

[b4matt]

The Station master seems to have suffered a little dna leakage, possibly after seeing all the train porn
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/geo_album/C2C%20part%202/2011-09-15163452.jpg

[Geo the Sarge]

At around 11:30 after more burgers and coffee I made my way back down the promanade, the rain had stopped and it had turned into quite a nice night. I wandered for a bit then came across these chalets:

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Whilst they were padlocked shut the locks didn't seem that strong so there was only one sensible thing to do.......................

I used the stantion outside one of the chalets to set up a bivvi so that I could guard these chalets against anyone who might consider breaking in

Bivvi with side up as it was such a nice night:

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And if the need arose I could lower the side for further protection against any wind or rain:

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[Geo the Sarge]

It's a lovely day here in Scarborough so will take the rest of the day walking around and down to the seaside for some real seaside fish and chips and go watch some footie. I'll then probably bivvi up at the chalets again tonight and then it's train home tomorrow.

Thanks to all the followers and all who sent gl messages both on here and by pm. Once I get home I'll add a couple of snippets not yet included and hopefully get the pics from my main camera and also any Jack took and get them up.

I'm very tired, bitten to buggery all over (especially the midriff for some reason) but I've had an absolute ball.

Geo