Back in the middle of Summer when I was up to my ears in Yarndale work, I found myself dreaming of some time away from home. I was craving something peaceful and restorative to look forward to once the hustle and bustle of Yarndale was over, and as my Birthday just so happens to be at this time, well, I felt entirely justified in organising a little jaunt away for J and I. Happy Birthday to me!
So ten days ago on a sunny Friday morning, we dropped Little B at school, ran a few errands then drove a few hours across country to the North Yorkshire coast. Our destination for two whole nights away (yipppeeeeeeee!) was one of my all time most favourite-lovely-special places :: Robin Hoods Bay. I was more than a tad excited by the prospect of a) sunny weather, b) two whole days just-the-two-of-us and c) to see the sea! We arrived just after 1pm, parked the car at the top of the hill, pulled on walking boots and got straight down to the business of striding out.
This is a walk we love very much and know very well, a ten mile circular route via the village of Ravenscar. The first half of the walk follows the old railway line all the way to this fabulous hotel perched on the cliff tops. Much of the track is enclosed by trees and hedges, but every so often you are treated to beautiful glimpses of the coast....
....ooo do you see those apples?? They were possibly the reddest apples I have ever seen dangling from a tree, pure picture book!
It takes a few hours to walk from Robin Hoods Bay (RHB) to Ravenscar, the going is fairly easy but it's still rather lovely to sit on a bench and rest a while when we get there. We have already eaten our picnic lunch, but we have a flask of hot coffee and some chocolate, and we have this amazing view....
....isn't it beautiful? We are six hundred feet above sea level here, looking out over the green cliff tops towards Robin Hoods Bay, breathing in the sea air with the sun on our faces. I am blissfully happy with my lot on this sunny afternoon in mid October.
The second half of the walk is the return to RHB over the cliffs and it is not at all easy going. In fact it is the very opposite of easy going.
J and I have walked this walk a good many times over the past twenty years and we know full well that there are a great many ups and downs involving steps and steep paths. We know it. But it still catches us by surprise. Oh those steps, my goodness, we really were partaking in a full body work out. Pfffffffffff!!!
It's late afternoon now, four o'clock or thereabouts and the light is absolutely stunning. I try and focus on the beauty around me and ignore the fact that my leg muscles are positively screaming at me. In fact my whole body is kind of on the verge of collapse, and I realise (not for the first time) how unfit I have become in my forties.
Still, we manage those steep ups and downs and Robin Hoods Bay suddenly comes into view. The village looks as pretty and charming as ever, it hasn't changed very much in the twenty years we've been visiting. I long to be there amongst that tumble of little cottages, but know that we still have a good hour or two to walk yet.
Onwards we go, and oh my goodness, everything is just so incredibly beautiful at this time of day. Even though I am beyond tired at this point, I am completely bowled over by the beauty of it all. The little lanes are so enchanting in the late afternoon light!
It's been a heavenly walk, but I am very excited to arrive back at the car, ease off my boots and gently hobble down to the old part of the village to find our bed for the night.
This is such a familiar view, one that I hold deep in my memory banks and treasure very much. I've spent a few Birthdays in this pretty village (do you remember seven years ago?) and every time I come back here it's like a little piece of my heart arrives home.
Walking down through the narrow streets of the village, the sea comes as something of a visual surprise even though you know it's going to be there. When the tide is high, the waves literally lap at the bottom of the main street, it's just so beautifully coastal!
We were staying in a teeny, tiny old fishermans cottage just a minute from the sea, it was very quaint and just right for J and I. After a quick explore and a few excited oohs and ahhs (King Size Bed! Feather Pillows! Egyptian Cotton Sheets! Attic View!), we headed straight out again to one of our favourite pubs to settle down for some good honest pub grub and a few jars of the local ale.
We were awake early the next morning and watched the sun rise over the sea - the bed in the attic room faced the window so we could sit comfy in bed with a cup of tea and take in the coastal vista (cue lots of sighing with pleasure from me).
I enjoyed a little bit of early morning hooky in bed too (hooky, with an H!!!), crocheting a few rows on a new granny stripe I've just started (more about that very soon).
I really love the narrow residential streets in RHB, they are completely charming.
This street is called Sunnyside, and the blue door on the right there is the front door of the cottage where we stayed (see here for more info and images of inside the cottage)
This was Saturday morning around 9 o'clock, the main street of Robin Hoods Bay completely deserted. We were on the look out for some breakfast and found the perfect spot right at the top of the hill at Candy's Café. It was warm enough to sit outside, such a delightful way to start the day (oh, you gotta love eating al fresco, a big fresh bacon sarnie with a sea view)
Our plan for Saturday was to walk along the cliffs to Whitby, following the Cleveland Way footpath. We were thrilled with yet another warm sunny day to play with, the great weather made such a difference to our days.
It's about six miles to walk along the cliffs, and was pure pleasure all the way.
The sight of all that b l u e makes my heart swell with happiness.
Arriving at Whitby Abbey reminded me suddenly of the Little People and our walk here in May and I think I did experience a little bit of a missing-them feeling just then. Just a small one - it's really rather lovely to be away without small dependants every so often, I relished the time and freedom that J and I enjoyed together during this precious weekend of ours.
I do like Whitby. J doesn't care for it, says' it's too busy and too touristy for it's own good and he finds the crowds too much.
But I love the rooftops and the bustling tumble of the old buildings....
....and I love the busy harbour and the boats. It ticks many of my happy boxes, although I did have to agree with J about the crowds, crikey, it was soooo busy on this sunny October Saturday. We tried and failed to find a seat in our favourite pub. We tried and failed to find a seat in our second favourite pub. We wandered around a bit and purchased three modest sticks of stripy rock for our Little Peeps, then at a loss as to what to do and where to try and eat, we both agreed it was simply time to head "home".
Bye bye Whitby, you are lovely, but truthfully, RHB is way lovelier. So we caught the bus back "home" to Robin Hoods Bay and breathed a small sigh of relief. It's so peaceful compared to Whitby, so much more us.
It was maybe 3pm by now, and we were ravenously hungry after our 3 hour walk and our busy stint in Whitby. So we headed for a favourite café {Swell} where we knew we could sit out on the little terrace over looking the sea and enjoy a lovely bite to eat. I had forgotten that it was a licensed café, so on the spur of the moment J and I ordered up a chilled glass of white wine and a bottle of local beer which seemed like rather a marvellous, holidayish idea. Chin chin!
I love that when we are away together, J and I hardly ever make plans for eating and drinking, it's always pretty spontaneous. On this Saturday, our usual eating habits went completely to pot so we simply went with the flow. A late (hefty) breakfast and a very late afternoon lunch meant that we weren't really hungry at our usual dinner time. Instead, we remembered how much we do like to sit in pubs and chat over drinks, so this is exactly what we did. The pub was busy, but after a few tactical seat manoeuvres, we ended up in our favourite snug right by the window that looks directly out over the sea. It was such a pleasure to be together just the two of us. We took long, verbal rambles down a winding memory lane, reminiscing about the years gone by. It was quite simply a fabulous end to a fabulous day.
Sunday morning and we were awake ridiculously early after an equally ridiculously early bed the night before. But the early mornings at Sunnyside cottage were so blissful, I was really glad to be awake to enjoy a few hours looking out to sea. Hot mugs of tea, some crochet and another glorious sunrise and all was very well in my little world.
We were due to drive home on Sunday morning, having promised the Little People that we would be back to see them for Sunday lunch. But as we still had an hour or two before we needed to be on the road, we decided to drive up the coast a little way, to another of our favourite places : Sandsend.
I said to J that I find it strange to be so close to the sea and yet not setting foot on the beach at all. He prefers cliff tops and high up places you see, and all the walking we did gave us that in abundance. But me, I love love love beaches and really enjoy being right next to the shoreline. I love the sound of the waves and seagulls and the scent of the damp salty air. The tide was low in the morning so we had a lot of beach to stroll on before the café opened......
...oh this café {Sandside} is in the most divine location ever-ever, I mean, just look at it! Isn't it perfection for Sunday morning breakfast? We sat there on the sunny little terrace with fresh coffee, juice and bacon butties and eyes wide full of the beach and sea. It was really, really, really good. So good!
I was sad to leave of course, well I am always a little sad to turn my back on the sea and head inland. But then that's the beauty of places like this - they change so little over the years and I know without doubt that we will back to breathe it all in another day.
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This post is simply wonderful!!! And the pictures are astonishing! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Clara Di Palermo | November 01, 2015 at 03:28 PM
We were in Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay last weekend celebrating our anniversary its a wonder we didn't bump into each other. Enjoyed seeing you photos,
I love Robin Hoods Bay. Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday. keep on Blogging and crocheting you are doing a wonderful job x
Posted by: Anne Rees | October 25, 2015 at 01:06 PM
How lovely! Thanks for sharing your weekend. Nothing nicer than a beach-y weekend/holiday.
Posted by: Meredithe | October 22, 2015 at 10:33 PM
Happy belated birthday from another October baby. Thank you for sharing your birthday get-a-way with J through your blog. It makes me want to travel to the Yorkshire Dales all the more.
Some day. (sigh)
So happy you had such great weather. That alone makes everything more enjoyable
Posted by: Penny | October 22, 2015 at 01:02 PM
I went to this area for the first time recently, and I really really loved it. I stayed in the Boggle Hole YHA, I expect you must know it, it is just round the corner from RHB - it has been recently been re-done.
I really wanted to see RHB but I had a little one so a cliff-top hike was not an option really - I drove and could not get a parking space!
I have the solution for Whitby - go in the pouring rain - a LOT less tourists and a wonderful, grey, gothic weathersphere really suits the place. You must have seen the wonderful church at the top of the 199 steps - a beautiful grave there, about a woman author who wrote about the people of the land - between the heather and the North Sea.
Thanks for posting your lovely photos and happy birthday xx
Posted by: Gill | October 21, 2015 at 10:24 PM
OK--I can figure out sarnie, however, what is a buttie? although maybe not an issue since both involve bacon evidently.
My dad's family hails from Northumberland, (Morpeth) so seeing those photos gives me a glimpse of what I may be missing. So glad you had such stunning weather for your birthday trip!
Posted by: sue | October 21, 2015 at 07:39 PM
The way you describe and photograph the english landscape makes me wish I was there. Maybe our summerholidays 2016 should be spent in the UK, I'm thinking more and more... Thanks for bringing inspiration not only on the crochet-part!
Love it!
You have taught me how to crochet by your blog about a year ago and now I've started a rainbow ripple blanket in Stylecraft yarn recently. I enjoy this crafting so much, I think I don't exaggerate (is that correctly spelled?) if I say I'm a happier person since. Thank you!
Posted by: Danielle | October 21, 2015 at 04:40 PM
I still think of this as 'my' patch, even though it's almost an hour for me to drive to Whitby! Glad you had a lovely time.
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | October 21, 2015 at 01:29 PM
Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful adventure. Really enjoyed reading and seeing all the lovely photos. Thank you for sharing, Love Sarah xxx
Posted by: Hula Loop | October 21, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Sandsend is one of my favourite places in the world.H and I walk along the beach to Whitby in winter and summer.,nothing is more relaxing than the sound of the sea.
Posted by: JIll | October 21, 2015 at 09:05 AM
Looks like a delightful weekend was had 😊
Posted by: Eleonora from Coastal Crochet | October 20, 2015 at 10:19 PM
Happy (belated) birthday Lucy. I was thrilled to read your blog, we were in Whitby and Robin Hoods bay on Saturday and Sunday too celebrating our wedding anniversary I am sure we walked passed your holiday cottage. Shame I didn't bump into you. It was the first time I have visited this area and I love it. We shall certainly visit again :-) x
Posted by: Anne Rees | October 20, 2015 at 10:01 PM
What an awesome birthday you had. I love following you as you walk and share the beautiful nature that you see along the way. Such beautiful blues, greens and reds!!
XXXXXX
Robin
Posted by: Robin Summers | October 20, 2015 at 10:00 PM
This look a wonderful weekend away with J and the scenery and cottage is fantastic. Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | October 20, 2015 at 08:19 PM
Happy birthday to you!
Posted by: Christine Westerhof | October 20, 2015 at 07:51 PM
I loved RHB when we went and reading about your weekend I felt like I could have been back there again. We walked past your blue door and admired the lovely little places very much. Unfortunately my husband has some mobility difficulties so the marvellous coastal walks are out for us but it was lovely reading about yours - not as good as doing it ourselves but almost.
Posted by: Angie | October 20, 2015 at 05:30 PM
What a beautiful Pictures. Here in Holland is all flat. That must have been een great weekend and a great birthday.
Posted by: Ingrid | October 20, 2015 at 04:18 PM
Beautiful photos,and sending belated birthday wishes.I too love Robin Hoods Bay... But havent been for year, so thank you for bringing back happy memories. Love Pat xx
Posted by: Pat hayes | October 20, 2015 at 04:11 PM
Dearest Lucy,
As an October Birthday Sister (mine is the 7th) I would like to thank you for this lovely belated birthday gift of taking us along with you and J for your wonderful weekend away. How special all those places have become to us through your blog!
Love from Missouri!
alice
Posted by: aliceinthemiddle | October 20, 2015 at 03:19 PM
What a wonderful weekend, and belated happy birthday. I am glad you found time to tuck a little hookey into the day. I haven't been to RHB (but elder daughter has and loves it) but happy memories of Whitby. Shame the pubs were so busy though.
Posted by: Jennie Craine | October 20, 2015 at 03:14 PM
Lucy, you are such a joy to follow!! You are age of my youngest daughter and I have made sooooo many of your beautiful blankets. I live in the US (Florida) and hope to visit some of your favorite spots one day soon. Thanks for showing us Yanks your beautiful country and the amazing creations that come off your hook. Happy belated Birthday.
Posted by: Judy Atkinson | October 20, 2015 at 03:06 PM
Happy birthday - glad you enjoyed your wee holiday.
Posted by: Gillian | October 20, 2015 at 02:44 PM
You had a great birthday weekend by the sea which you love. Living on the Isle of Wight I really don't appreciate the sea quite as much as you until you point out your love of it. Being surrounded by it you just take it for granted. A lovely post and a well deserved break for you after all your hard Yarndale work. xx lots of love Joy xx
Posted by: Joy | October 20, 2015 at 02:17 PM
Dear Lucy,your post took me back a bit and really cheered me up ,on what has been a really bad day (news that a friend passed away yesterday followed by a phone call that another friend is terminally ill).I have such fond memories of the places you mentioned-we dipped our boots in RHB at the start of the Coast to Coast (we did it in reverse) and took our first baby to Whitby when she was 10 weeks old.She was so small we bathed her in a large sandwich box !Sandsend was a favourite spot too. Happy days. Love to read your words and see your photos-it adds such brightness to our days and your crochet is wonderful
xx
Posted by: Judith Pearson | October 20, 2015 at 02:12 PM
question:the photo of the b and b with the blue door
was that yarn bombing on the left side if the street.
wonderful trip -thanks for sharing
oxoxoxox crafty mema
Posted by: crafty mema | October 20, 2015 at 01:59 PM