Terry Smith's Photo Walks

Today's Walk 24th July 2008: Scarborough North Bay (GR 037897) to Filey Brigg, 10.5 miles with 525 feet of ascent.

Map: None used but if you needed one - Pathfinder 624 Scarborough.

Weather: A sea fog but still warm.

Our final day of walking arrives and there's a sea fog to greet us. I was pleased about it as I'd found the heat of the last couple of
days had been energy sapping during walking. You would normally expect a cooling breeze along the cliff tops but there had been
none and today it was much cooler although still warm. If you've spent any part of summer 2008 in the U.K. I bet you're suprised
at someone describing parts of it as too hot, but it can be when you're walking. Today's fog would mean no real sea views but by
now the high cliffs are behind us anyway.

Donkey rides at Scarborough south bay - and not just any old donkey rides either. These are the 'Donkey Oscar Winners
of 2002/2003'. The little boy doesn't look too impressed though - and come to that neither do the donkeys.

This man was sculpting in sand the images of a couple who were sat nearby. Well would you believe it the Simpsons spend
their holidays at Scarborough!!

O.K. that may be just fantasy but surely this is real life.................

...but it isn't. Keen viewers of U.K. Sunday evening tv will recognise it as the setting of the cottage hospital in The Royal and the
Cleveland Way passes by the street end. I understand that it was originally built by a weathly businessman as his second home.
There was a row of cottages where the clock tower now stands (route of Cleveland Way) but he had them knocked down as they
spoilt his sea view. I don't know how true that story is as it's a tale that comes up regularly when large houses with good views are
mentioned. I've also read that at one time it was a maternity hospital. Perhaps that is why it was chosen for it's star role in the series.

Nowadays the building has been converted into private apartments, so today there were no pretty nurses or actresses dressed up as
nurses to attend to my blisters :-(

Back on the coastal path and we pass a golf course and these keen golfers using it. I was pleased to see they were pointing in the
opposite direction to us. For obvious reasons I don't really care for footpaths that go past golf courses.

The path has been diverted away from the cliff top at this point as there have been landslips. There are houses along
here, mostly holiday homes, but some seniors have sold up and moved here for their retirements, hoping to enjoy the
views. Unfortunately three of the houses nearest to the cliff edge had to be demolished because of the problems.

Journeys end, where did all those miles go ? I was trying to think of a suitable song with that message and this is the nearest thing I
could come up with. It's a lovely cover version of a classic song, sung by a delightful young singer/songwriter/musician Holly Kirby-
Who Knows Where The Time Goes ?

Here I am looking pretty pleased with myself at the end. Just have to walk along Filey Brigg now, you can see the path along
the top of it behind me.

While I'm enjoying my rest here's some information about the area for you to read........

My only regret about this walk is that I still haven't seen a dinosaur's footprint, which is a bit disappointing considering I've walked
along Yorkshire's Dinosaur Coast.................

After a walk along the Brigg we head off for a well deserved coffee and cake, before making our way to our B&B. We stayed at
Abbot's Leigh Guest House in Filey. And as had happened at each place we had stopped at we received a warm welcome, this time
from owner Christine. See my Links for contact details. We were ready for a bath and a rest and more coffee! Following this we
went for a celebration meal at a very good local Chinese Restaurant the Gold River. Very pleasant staff, good quality food and
reasonable prices.

25th July 2008 Filey: A hearty breakfast at our B&B where we swopped 'Cleveland Way' stories with a couple who had
also just finished the walk and who we'd seen several times over the last few days. We then had a look around this small
seaside town before departing for home.

A Little Boy's Dream

To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go
Sailing far across the sea
All alone, just little me.
And the sea is big and strong
And the journey very long.
To and fro, to and fro
In my little boat I go.

And finally - Christopher and I really enjoyed this walk. I don't have much experience of long distance walks, but I can say that this
had everything I wanted. The way is clearly defined and the path in good order. Stiles have been removed where possible to make it
more accessible for those who have difficulty with them. It's not too busy and the accommodation was good and affordable. As for
the views and buildings, well you've seen a selection of those from my photographs. I know I'm biased but I think the views on this
walk and the variety of them are some of the best in England. And my view on England is....well I'll leave the final word on that to
Ralph McTell as he sings 'England' , he says it so well. Mind you I'd ignore the video!! :-)