Day 5: Kildale to Saltburn

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Today marked a bit of a sea change in the landscape, so to speak, as we progressed from the inland moors to the coastal cliffs that would dominate the remainder of the walk.

We started with a clear day and good views of Roseberry Topping (which I kept calling Raspberry Topping - surely that makes more sense?):

Speaking of berries, we saw no raspberries - or roseberries, for that matter - but there were blackberries pretty much every day. I would pause and gather them whenever I could. Some were not quite ripe (especially in wooded areas), and those were a bit bitter; but most of the large, dark ones were delicious and sweet. Of course, what with taking pictures and picking blackberries, I (alas!) inevitably fell behind my more goal-oriented companions, who were (I fear) already somewhat swifter to begin with.

From the ridges in today's walk, it was fun to try to see when we could see the sea. Sarah and I were both pretty sure we saw boats from afar, and thus inferred that there must be a sea that we couldn't see (the ships looked like small blocks floating on the horizon).

We continued walking among the greens of field and pasture, at varied angles:

The clouds gathered as we marched on:

We followed the Cleveland Way into a town, where the way-markers were not as clear.

I was familiar with "the co-operative" supermarkets, but "the co-operative funeralcare"?? Bill said they were indeed in the same corporate family. Talk about cradle-to-grave service! (Start with our co-operative nurseries, and then move on to our co-operative schools, food markets, insurance, and funeral homes! All included under the same umbrella!)

The more subtle point of the photo above is repeated in the photo below (a picture of the opposite side of the street). So apparently, this intersection and the following 500 yards are designated for humping. Or something like that. You'll also see there's also a rather unusual sign for the Cleveland Way - an official-looking brown sign, appropriate for city use.

After we passed through the town, we went through a small wood:

And under an aqueduct (not a Roman one, I believe, since it seems to be made of brick):

Finally, we arrived in Saltburn! A Victorian seaside resort, complete with Victorian pier:

The waves did not seem particularly high, but they seemed fairly steady - inexorable, perhaps:

We saw both kayakers and surfers (?!) enjoying the waves. I was surprised at this, but the locals told us the area is great for surfing:

Birds were circling overhead as evening drew near:

We went in to a Victorian-era pub which served Crabbie's ginger beer. This was essential. But they also had little sculptures of hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling, which was an unexpected bonus:

Crabbie's aficionados relaxing after a full day's walk:

A skeptic attempts to refute the arguments proffered in favor of the inherent superiority of Crabbie's ginger beer over other forms of post-walk refreshment:

I think we know who prevailed:




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