Jo’s Monday walk : Saltburn in Winter

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Some towns work really hard at making the best of what they have.  Saltburn-by-the-Sea, on the North Yorkshire coast, is certainly one of those. The second you step out of the railway station, you are welcomed by a frieze of mosaics, colourfully depicting many of the town’s landmarks.  The towering cliffs of Huntcliff Nab form a constant and beautiful backdrop at the end of the street.

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A saunter through majestic Victorian architecture will bring you down to the Valley Gardens.  A miniature steam train, ‘Prince Charles’, chuffs the length of the valley in the summer months.  Then there’s the beach, promenade and cliff lift, all offering their entertainments.  The pier stretches out to embrace the salt spray of the North Sea.  Parasols a-twirling, return to gaze upon Huntcliff Nab.

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I love the whimsical nod to days gone by in these mosaics.  It’s an easy enough stroll.  Come with me and I’ll show you how it all looks this winter.

Followers of this blog will be no strangers to Saltburn.  We’ve walked here together before.  I hadn’t really intended to take you there today, but my husband was measuring the garden of a lovely old Grade II listed house, in the town.  With a couple of hours to kill, I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity, now was I?

Let’s start with a look at some of the quirky shop fronts.  Browsing here is seldom dull.  See anything you like?

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That’s quite enough of indulgence.  Keep that pie and mash shop in mind for later.  The owner looks very welcoming.  First we need a little bracing air.  It’s not too cold today, evidenced by the numbers on the beach.   The cliff lift stands lonely in silhouette, steps taking us down to the shoreline.

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 No yarn bombing on the pier, as yet, but I’m sure that it will arrive in the summer.  Remember Alice, from last year?

The beach stretches off into the distance.  Children stamp and twirl gleefully on the sand.  Dog walkers are out in abundance.  A couple of opportunists sweep the beach in search of treasure.  Their find, multi-coloured pebbles, unwinking, except where caught in a flowing stream.  A life scored deep within their grooves and whorls.  Strands of seaweed, unfurling briny curls.

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It’s time to turn and head back beside the crumbling cliffs.  Filigree patterns beneath the pier, and above, a bench to read on or simply watch the ebb and flow of tide.

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There’s a lovely corner cafe, beside Cat Nab, just before you reach the brig.   You can watch the stream gushing into Valley Gardens from the outdoor terrace.  It’s a little muddy through there today.  So much rain in recent times!  It’s a steep pull back up to the cliff top, where you’ll be welcomed by the Victorian wicker family.  Some kind soul has knit them poppy buttonholes.

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That’s it for another week!  Pie and mash, or did you indulge at the corner cafe?  Time to put the kettle on now, and join my walking friends.

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Huge thanks, as always, to my contributors, and to those of you who simply like to keep me company.  If you’d like to join in at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo above.

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Anabel goes in search of sunshine this week :

Bermuda : Somerset to the Dockyard

Geoff’s in Dulwich, looking at the definition of village :

Village Life

Amy’s found the most beautiful restaurant!

Monday Walk : Ybor City

Funny how some names always conjure up a song.  Any Steely Dan fans out there?

Day 1- Guadalajara

Good to welcome somebody new to the walks, so please head for Scotland and say ‘hi’ to Smidge :

Winter in the Botanics

Jude’s left her plants, temporarily, for a bit of a tongue twister this week :

Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury : a look at stone buildings

Among many other talents, Nicole is an accomplished hiker.  Just take a look!

Best Hikes in Tucson : Bear Canyon’s hike to Seven Falls

Drake is in romantic mood.  Who wouldn’t be, in Venice?

L’atmosphere noire

A head for heights and a sense of humour are what you’ll need on Esther’s walk :

Walk on a Tightrope

Or, if you’re still feeling romantic?

Walk of Love

What might you expect to see in Panama?  Jaspa’s your man!

The Real San Blas Islands

I learnt a little more Welsh today, with Student in Snowdonia.  ‘Yr Aran’ – The Peak :

The Peak

I like the idea of tapestries on my walls.  Maybe I should try life in a castle :

Bunratty Castle- Home of an Irish King

A great selection, aren’t they?  I had intended to close my walks for 2 weeks, but my lovely husband pointed out that we don’t leave for the Algarve until next Monday afternoon.  Plenty of time for another, he said!  It’s not the walking that’s hard.  It’s keeping up with the responses.  We’ll see! Have a wonderful week, meantime.

 

 

172 comments

  1. “A life scored deep within their grooves and whorls. Strands of seaweed, unfurling briny curls.” Such beautiful words to match the beauty of the photos. I love the mosaics – you nearly don’t need to go beyond them to see the town. but then you’d miss the definite outlines of the jetty and the wickerwork figures and the beach with real non-parasolled people and dogs. You’re a wonderful ambassador for wherever you walk.

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    1. I write my prose for you, Meg. 🙂 Why put pen to paper if you can’t make the words sing? I have to admit, I was tempted to stop after the mosaics, but I knew you’d love the beach scenes too. No matter the sad sky. The people were joyous. 🙂 Thank you for your lovely company.

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      1. You certainly make the words sing, and I don’t think there’s such a thing as a sad sky, but then I live in sunny Australia!!! Keep writing for me so the rest of the world can enjoy gems.

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  4. Saltburn is a charming little town, I love the way it displays their past with those beautiful mosaics, and you captured them so well for us to see. Thanks for the leisurely stroll round the town; that pie and mash shop looks like it’s well worth a visit!

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  7. Thanks so much for taking us along on your visit and walk of this oh-so-charming town, Jo. Your photos are terrific. The seaside is gorgeous, and the town is beautiful. I especially like the mosaics. The birds in the mosaics are accurately depicted, which is just so delightful.

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  8. I would have been happy just gazing at those mosaics – love the kombi (and my daughter would love it more). I love visiting the Algarve with you, but you also make this part of the world look special too, and makes me almost homesick, even though I never lived anywhere near this area! But I do like the North York Moors and that rugged coast up there.

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      3. I shall revisit…. oh, and apologies for butting in about the VW – I just can’t help myself 😉
        And…. before I forget. Aren’t the rudbeckias (coneflowers) next to the bell ringer in the mosaic fabulous!

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  11. Wow. This really looks like a place for me…….I know I say it every time, but this has to be the best walk yet……mosaics, nostalgic atmosphere, and a whole shelf of mega lollies? What could be better?

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  12. Only you would tell the story of the mosaics honey, and so well too. They are great, having mosaic’d a few little things years ago i appreciate the hard work that goes into this. I love Saltburn, its my kind of beach to pootle for hours. I bet there are some good sunrises? Fab photos, close up and distant and I’ll skip the pie and mash shop and take the coffee and cake instead please.

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    1. It’s too far away for me to have done a sunrise, Gilly, but it’s a lovely thought. Oh, yes- definitely ‘fat Betty’s’ in the cafe for you! Or are you a caramel slice girl? 🙂 Thanks, darlin’.

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      1. What are fat Bettys? I like bakewell tart, coffee cake, scones, toasted tea cakes, apple cake, lemon cake, cake cake and pretty much anycake you can think of! x:-)x Actually my friend has baked American Snicker Doodles and I’ve just tried them for the first time, delicious but the sweetness has me beat!

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      3. I’m up for a fat Betty! And I am totally with Gilly’s choices – cake cake definitely! But leave out the coconut. I’m not a fan of coconut. And I also don’t like sickly sweet cake.

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  13. Wonderful walk – almost wish I was back in England! We’re planning a Yorkshire trip to catch up with friends this summer, think I’ll add Saltburn to the itinerary 😊

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      10. I saw them first, well second, but first to comment on the actual photo. But I don’t mind sharing as otherwise I’d have a sore tongue, and that wouldn’t be nice. Sorry Suzan, we have hi-jacked your comment.

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    1. Thanks, Amy! I enjoyed your walk so much! The link you’ve quoted in your comment is the wrong one though (in case anyone follows that rather than the pingback 🙂 ). It’s to Cee’s B&W.

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