The Mighty Meal

In Burniston, just outside of Scarborough is a little pub called the Three Jolly Sailors and they have a challenge that if anyone can eat the mighty mixed grill, you get a prize.....

Well, I had to try - didn`t I?

With faithful companion under the table salivating at the prospect of a stray sausage or pork chop landing on the floor in her direction, I looked at the load upon the plate and thought Oh My God!

No one had done it yet, but I love challenges!

I think my face says it all here!

But after nearly 2hrs of chumping, drinking, gurgling and fermenting well, I did it! And the prize?

A key ring!

Well, I was happy, Willow too, but for 2 weeks I couldn`t eat a full meal, never again!

Self Indulgence is not good for you!

Whitby To Scarborough And The Railway Track

The final leg of our epic journey would take us from Whitby and back to Scarborough along an old disused railway track that now provides a good walkers paradise of almost flat, comfortable walking ground.

The Marathon had not taken too much out of me, which I was pleasantly surprised and glad to be back walking again!

I was still surprised by the pleasant weather we were still encountering and some of the photographs I have taken reflect this, with glorious sunrises envying those of some distant foreign land.

Willow and I had started out in early february 2009 and completed these trails by mid-October and soon it would be time to get to a little normality of going to work and finding somewhere to stay for the winter, but now this journey ends and a new beginning was about to....... well, begin!

Inverness And The Marathon

Inverness is a wonderful place to stay.

I have been staying here every year and it still makes me want to come back.

I have come to take part in the Loch Ness Marathon, which is sponsored by Baxters.

But whilst here, I also like to have a look around and see everything this place has to offer.

From walking along the Caledonian Canal (of which you can take Jacobite tours along it) to coach tours that will include boat trips along the Loch and Urquhart Castle.

I have seen the Battlefields of Culloden and seen the tombstones marking the Clans that fought the English.

I even visited The Loch Ness Museum where they tell the story of Nessie, but I must admit, I was a little disappointed, I was hoping they would try and sell Nessie alot more than they did and keep the myth/legend alive with enthusiasm. Maybe I misread it, I hope so.

There are fantastic views around and rainbows appear in abundance here, but then again so does the rain or snow and sunshine!

I usually stay at a very interesting Bed and Breakfast called Wychway which is an old building and the lady there loves collecting little witches and other things, very fascinating and that to is worth a visit on its own!

The Marathon itself is very well organised with entertainment and a pasta party for all and to see us of on the route are the bagpipes, which always gets a warm round of applause, even on a cold, frosty morning.

It is a lovely route to follow, quite literally along the Loch and with spectacular views and enthusiastic locals cheering everyone on, who could ask for more?

This year I would walk the marathon as I had done no running but plenty of walking and on completing the marathon in 6 hours and 32 minutes, Willow (no, she did not run the marathon with me!) and myself had completed nearly 1000 miles for Macmillan Cancer Support and raised over £1000 in the process along the route.

But this is not the end!

Ravenscar to Whitby, The finish of The Cleveland Way

I have decided to let the pictures do the talking....

Small cobbled streets of Robin Hoods Bay and a past reminder of how people came together during times of adversity.......

We stayed here and it was a good night to!
Peaceful and tranquil, the perfect spot.

Robin Hoods Bay and Ravenscar, in the distance.

Ciffs that were both beautiful and dangerous.

We watched as a helicopter transported someone to safety.

Don`t take the weather for granted.......

Is it a shark, a submarine or rocks that look like both?

Correct, it is jet coloured rock and these two features looked real from a distance, possibly looking like two submarines.... Make up your own mind.

One of the many views of Whitby Abbey.......
The end of a lovely and remarkable walk, and I shall do it all again, one day.......

Scarborough to Ravenscar

From our campsite we walked to the cliff to pick up The Cleveland Way and were blessed with a lovely sunrise.

It showed us what a day we would have and we were not wrong, it turned out to be a scorcher!

We even had time to pose!

I took a fun picture of "Thelma and Scooby Doo" - ok, me and Willow, our shadow stretching on the sand floor.

A signpost showing the way

Ravenscar is only about 10 miles from Scarborough, but it is very up and down along the cliffs and seems to sap the life out of you! Again mountains on the coast!

Scarborough Castle can still be seen some 5 miles away.

Its tower still prominent in the afternoon sunshine.

It wasn`t long before we hit Ravenscar and stayed in a secluded spot.

It was a very comfortable evening complete with a sunset to boot!

St. Mary`s church and Anne Bronte And The Rainbow Center

St. Mary`s church in Scarborough sits high upon a hill, like Scarborough Castle.

It was originally built on an old Saxon area and it too is steeped in history.

It is open everyday and is well worth a look inside, indeed it took me a good couple of hours to walk around it and appreciate its building.

Over the centuries it has been added on, very subtly and very beautiful.

It is also the resting place of Anne Bronte, one of the Bronte Sisters.

How did Anne get to be here in Scarborough?

Well, she loved Scarborough and wanted to return here.

Her story is also told in the church, which you can read for yourself.

One thing of note was that there were several mistakes first put on her headstone which had to be removed, today there remains only one.

Like so many people, I too placed flowers upon her resting place, as I have read some of the books written by the Bronte Sisters.

The Rainbow Center

Situated just down the hill from the church is a place called the Rainbow Center.

It is run by volunteers and helps everyone within the community.

I popped in to see for myself and to speak to some of the people it is helping.

I had a cup of tea and a friendly chat and went back on my return to Scarborough to offer my help, even if it was for a short time.

During my time here, I had met people who were homeless and in difficulties. Many people give these people a wide berth, me? I take time out to speak and give a friendly ear, they are only human after all.

Scarborough Castle and the BBQ

Scarborough castle dates back to around medieval times and although some of it has now disappeared into the sea, its tower and remaining grounds still pose a formidable site.
The castle and surrounding area has had finds from the early saxon times and these can be found in a section of the castle museum.
Alot of the finds were from the war between the parliamentarians and Cromwell, mainly musket balls.

Although in ruins, it still tells a story - if only walls could talk!

The views give an indication of the vantage point, but many of the walls that once surrounded it have fallen into the sea, but you get an idea of the size it once was just by looking at the remaining walls.

Everyday, the flag is hoisted atop of the tower, when the attraction is open.

Why not try the cafe at the castle?

Flying high above, many a flag has been hoisted here, all poiniant reminders of who owned it and who they were defending.

Nowadays it is not hoisted in anger or of defendant, just as a symbol of its country.

The Barbeque

Staying in Scarborough I decided to put on a BBQ, but not any ordinary BBQ, but one where people could come and enjoy it.

I was entering into unchartered territory, I had never done a big BBQ before and certainly not one where I had invited people to join in.

I didn`t have a reason for the invite, but I went and bought a bag of BBQ chicken packs, chicken legs/wings/breast, sauages, tomatoes, burgers and potatoes with rolls and butter and paper plates and cups, the only requirement I asked people to bring was their own drinks!

So, armed with trays of charcoal, I headed on down the beach, not sure whether this would be a good idea or not.

It was also as an added fundraiser, but I left it to people whether they wanted to contribute or not.

Someone turned up with a table and others bought a makeshift brick/slab table to put the trays on!

Others turned up with salad and drinks and it turned out to be a good idea afterall - so long as I didn`t food poison anyone!

It was a lovely afternoon and people said that the British spirit is there but these days people are too afraid to do anything because of health and safety or peoples general suspicion of each other, which is very true, but here on this afternoon, for a few hours before the tide came in, it was a time for people to mingle and forget differences and enjoy good company.

It only took one person with an idea to bring people together, will you be the next on?