Day 15: Part 2; Glaisdale to Robin Hood’s Bay

We depart The Arncliffe Arms early with our packed lunch-breakfasts.  We have approximately 18.5 miles today.  The weather forecast is sunny, cooler, light breeze and high of 70 degrees. Perfect for walking!

The final walk reads like a summary of the past two weeks. It includes a hill, moors, beautiful forest, dramatic coastline and maybe a pub or two.

Can’t wait! This portends to be arguably the best day yet! (Right, Petra?) yep! Everyday is the best day. 😘

We cross the Esk River on Beggar’s Bridge (built 1619) to begin our walk. It is one of a half dozen or so historic bridges still standing along the Esk River built in the 14th and early 15th centuries. We will see 2 others today on our walk through Egton Bridge and Grosmont.

It is a good symbol for our group. Stunningly beautiful and although old, it is sturdy and strong. To quote Sir Elton John. “I’m still standing!” 

We walk along the Esk River …

And an old toll road… no charge for walkers 

:
Always time to take a break for some fun.

We are in Grosmont early and take time for a coffee stop before we begin to tackle the big hill that we read about.

We start on a steep road out of town. Petra nonchalantly comments, “I hope it isn’t the road.”

Guess what? It’s the road and 10% on the treadmill wasn’t quite enough preparation. Thankfully we are trail hardened from five days in the mountains of the Lake District and lots of miles on our legs. Piece of cake.



After the hill we take a shortcut to save some mileage and time. It didn’t quite turn out as we planned. Although we didn’t save time, we enjoyed sweeping Wuthering Heights-esque scenery.

We get our first very clear unobstructed views of the North Sea. It will be later in the afternoon before we are closer and see it again. 

We head into the woods and walk through a serene nature preserve. It has a fairy tale quality about it. The feeling of princesses and happily-ever-after, not Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel and will there be an 

ever-after.

Well maybe…

The tumult of my heart is stilled 

Within this sheltered spot

Deep in the bosom of the Wood

Forgetting and Forgot

Petra is a bloodhound when it comes to finding interesting rest stops. Today is exceptional, a tea garden in the nature preserve next to a waterfall.  The food and drinks are gourmet and the timing is perfect.  Just in time for lunch!

After lunch we leave the woods and begin to make our way towards the coast. 

We take one last rest stop before making our way to the coast and our final destination, Robin Hood’s Bay.

We are walking on the Cleveland Way again.

The end is in sight.

We walk through the town…

… to the Bay Hotel and the official end of the Coast to Coast.

At the Wainwright Bar we add our names to the book of those who have completed the journey. A moment to pause and consider our place.

We have one last ceremony to complete. We all gather at the water’s edge. It is high tide and the water is crashing along the shore and lapping our feet. You can feel and hear the power of the sea. It seems to echo our accomplishment. It is a dramatic end to our journey.

We offer a little piece of ourselves. We clutch our stones one final time and toss them into the sea.

Just the beginning…