The details of this Robin Hood's Bay walk were provided by Mark Reid (The Inn Way) as one of the monthly walks I received in my inbox. It was meant to be a post-examination activity as well as a walk before my Singaporean friends returned to Singapore for the summer holidays. Some of the Brotherhood Ramblers couldn't go for it, so it was just down to 3 of us (Ah Neh, Zx and myself). It was not the best weather we hoped for: drizzling, cloudy (not appealing for photo taking at all).
Robin Hood's Bay lies between two towns - Whitby and Scarborough (of where I had been once in my very first year in UK during a host visit with Hazel). This interesting little town is unique for its many narrow alleyways and twisting lanes that tumble down the steep cliffs. Images of weather-beaten fishermen and smugglers spring to mind with every turn whilst the old cottages and houses have hardly altered over the last 2 centuries.
There were 2 short walks, both commencing at Robin Hood's Bay. We decided to go for the harder one first which we would be heading southwards along a delightful cliff-top path to reach the steep ravine of Boggle Hole. It's ice-cream time again, tempted by an ice-cream van parked by the coast. Hahaha! This coastal path afforded wonderful views of Robin Hood's Bay which swept in a graceful curve from the promontory of North Cheek southwards to the Old Peak. At low tide, bands of soft shale and hard limestone were revealed to spectacular effect in the shape of great curving ridges. This rocky foreshore was a fascinating place for exploration. We made several short but steep ascents and descents before reaching the ravine of Boggle Hole - once a renowned smugglers' hideaway where they landed their contraband. A 'boggle' is the local name for a hobgoblin - the mischievous 'little people' who were believed to live in caves along the coast as well as the more remote corners of the North York Moors.
We followed the steps steeply down the hillside to reach a footbridge, and were surprised to see a Youth Hostel (Boggle Hole YHA) on our right. What an ulu place for a hostel, located just next to a drain and the coast!
The final steep climb took us to the road towards Stoupe Bank Farm where we met a lady who was taking her horse for a walk. That was one of the inspirations for me to take up horse-riding!
Quiet lanes and field paths then led up to join a stony track which was an old railway line. This old track-bed is now a popular walking route with mature woodland and an abundance of fauna and flora, not to mention the wonderful views towards the coast. We followed the route across embankments, cuttings and through more woodland to join another lane which led us to Farsyde farm, before skirting around the buildings to re-join the cliff-top path back to Robin Hood's Bay. It was then when we saw a beautiful white horse which was galloping gracefully. This is what I call 'Freedom'...animals in countries like this will definitely have a wider grin than those in Singapore :( ...
After a short break and some photo taking, we carried on with our 2nd section of the walk - this time northwards. Easy walking and navigation --> Straightforward! The lack of map-reading allowed more time for chatting and of course..the savouring of the views, especially along the cliff-top path.
This walk followed the old railway track-bed (cinder) which led us all the way to Hawsker Bottoms (where Northcliffe Caravan Park was). At the turning point, we chose to take a short cut which landed us into some wet-grass adventure. We ended up walking along the boundary of a field with high grass, getting all our waterproof boots wet. My gaiters didn't help too. What a let-down!
After the messy scramble across the wet fields, we arrived at the coastal path above the impressive cliffs. One of the finest stretches of coastline in the country, with 200ft cliffs falling sheer into the North Sea only feet away, screeching seagulls overhead, a seawater tang in the air, overlooking the vast expanse of open sea. As the paths rounded Ness Point, the vast sweep of Robin Hood's Bay came into view, with the red pantiles and whitewashed cottages of the Old Town tumbling down the cliff-side towards the sea - a truly magnificent sight!
This memorable walk had seemed like a 'Farm Tour' to all of us. We concluded that we saw at least 10 different types of animals today: horse, sheep, lamb, cat, dog, chicken, cow, seagull, birds, etc. It was incredible to observe how there could be so many breeds of sheep, all looking so different despite living peacefully with their 'not-look-alike neighbours'.
And again, how is it possible for a day to be so smooth sailing for us? A mini adventure concluded our day. It started off with no dinner, because all pubs would only start serving food after 1830. The problem was that we had to catch the bus at 1844, hence we killed some time at a pub - drinking. Then, the transportation problem (!!!): I had checked online with Traveline that the last bus would leave Robin Hood's Bay at 1844 to Middlesbrough. However, it seemed that there was some contradiction with reality. The last bus wouldn't bypass the Bay at all! What worried us then was that we had to reach Middlesbrough by 2030 to catch the last coach (National Express) to Newcastle, otherwise there would be no way back home that night. Another alternative: Staying at B&B?
The rain had gotten heavier, making the ugly day more depressing. I was glad that everyone was very helpful. We considered the situation and decided to call for a cab to take us to Middlesbrough. It was 40 pounds! Expensive, but that was the best option then! "Money had seemed to solve all (most) problems." --> I don't like this, but it's the truth! So, the day ended with a BANG...tired, but good memories. :P
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