Nov 23: Malham, Settle, Durham and Whitby

Tuesday 14 November

Malham

Beautiful views en route - between the heavy showers.

We had to cross a clapper bridge to get to our accommodation. 

I have managed to book a dog-friendly accommodation which will have a totally vegan menu from 1 December - making it the first totally vegan hotel in the UK.. 😁🙄

So much rain that the roads and fields are all saturated and the little stream is in full spate. Never seen the beck so full.

This was also a ford but far too much fast and high water to attempt to cross it! 

Lunch round the corner at the Lister Arms.

Then a walk to Malham Cove.

The beck had covered the little clapper bridge so we didn't cross over to the other side.

We couldn't walk any further as the beck had flooded onto the path. No stepping through/over the beck today!

Little glimpses of sunshine.

Back to the hotel just before the rain started in earnest.

View from our room right over the beck.

Wednesday 15 November

Settle

Off to Settle to catch the train up to Carlisle for the day. Billed as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the UK. 

Another damp day.

Grey day 😁

Occasional bits of blue sky.

Wander round Carlisle until the rain got too much.

Lovely meal in the evening.

Thursday 16 November

Car ride up to Janet's Foss - too wet and muddy to walk.

Then a short walk to Gordale Scar.

Watched a sheep dog round up some sheep - on whistled commands from his owner who we eventually spotted a full field away!

On to Malham Tarn. Never been here before - Mike came up here with field trips groups from the Derby School.

Beautiful scenery.

A highland coo and baby en route to Ribblehead Viaduct.

.. and some lovely moss.

The viaduct. 

Onwards to Durham.

Durham 

Back for the biennial Lumiere event. Stayed at the same pub as last time. 

Very busy. In fact too busy! Eventually gave up and walked back towards our digs to a small Vietnamese restaurant we'd spotted on the way down. Delicious food.

Friday 17 November

Sunshine! A slow wander down the coast stopping first of all at Seaham for a bit of sea glass hunting. Loads of people all along the beach as it was such a nice day - and the low sun made the pieces sparkle so they were easy to find.

Then on to Saltburn for a ride on the funicular railway - one of only two left in the country and the oldest by 12 years.

Called in at Staithes.

Then on to Whitby.

Whitby

Opening of the town's Christmas markets but we didn't go - plenty of time tomorrow. Stayed in our digs to eat delicious fish and chips then a short walk (very cold!) and bed!

Saturday 18 November

Whitby 

Lots of rain 🌧️

Walked around town and the markets but too wet to do much.

Found a pub serving Yapas - Yorkshire tapas 🤣

Very nice Tinto de verano with tempranillo and orange Fanta.

Yorkshire chorizo, cheese, pork pie and black pudding crisps with HP sauce. All very tasty.

Watched the firework display in the evening. Short and sweet.

Sunday 19 November

Short walk round Whitby in a bit of sunshine.

Then home via Pickering for a bit of breakfast.

The rain started whilst we were on the motorway - made quite a treacherous journey with the thick mist and fog too.

Home 

So.. back to a flooded garage - and a power cut!

Still a nice few days away though 😁