Jo’s Monday walk : Ruswarp to Whitby (and back)

Memory is a strange thing, isn’t it?  I was sure I’d walked this walk with you, from Ruswarp to Whitby and back again.  I even remember telling how I was like a drowned rat when the skies opened on the way back.  Sitting in a puddle, eating a cheese sandwich and looking out of the pub window at the rain is not my idea of fun.  The Guinness was good, but it was a sunny riverside setting I had in mind.  Apparently my memory lies.  Nowhere could I find that original post!  Nor photos to accompany it.  Strange tricks memory plays!

I walked this way again recently, with a sunnier ending, and this time I’m determined to share it with you.  It’s tinged with sadness today, because it’s a year ago that Dad died.  There was nothing he liked better, if he had company, than to whisk them into his car and off over the Moors to Whitby.  Fish and chips and a pint and he was happy with life.  He couldn’t walk far but was always fiercely independent (in a soft, gentlemanly way).  The last time we were there together he parked the car on the cliff top.  Somehow we ended up down at street level, and then were faced with the challenge of getting back up there again.  I seriously doubted we’d ever make it but, with many pauses, we did.

Ruswarp is a charming village, a little over a mile inland from Whitby, along the River Esk.  The Esk Valley Railway runs through the village and sometimes you’re treated to the sight and sound of steam.  By the riverside you can hire rowing boats and canoes, and take canoeing lessons.  This gentle walk is signposted off the main street and follows a stone pannierway, known locally as Monk’s Trod.  Watch out for a bit of an uphill haul as you leave the river and approach Whitby, on the Esk Valley Walk.

You have a couple of choices for leaving the walk to enter Whitby.  Last time I followed the Cinder Track but this time I opted for West Cliff.  Either option will bring you close to Pannell Park and from there you’re close to the seafront, and the monument to the bombardment.

This is where Dad parked, close by the monument to James Cook, looking across to Whitby Abbey and near to the whalebone arch.  I remember the relief with which he subsided onto a bench when we made it back up that cliff.

I was lucky to be heading downwards, admiring the views on the way.  Into the ‘Screaming tunnel’, alleged to have been used by Dracula to frighten his victims, and out the other side.  Best done in daylight.

Down on the harbourside the seagulls are in raucous control, while St. Mary’s church looks down with the serenity of centuries.

The swing bridge remains locked in position, while Whitby is full of its usual bustle.  To escape the crowd for a while we duck into our favourite little eating place, tucked away in the quiet of Sander’s Yard.  Healthy food, you’ll note! (I won’t show you his chips)  And  I only looked at the cup cakes.

Leaving the bucket and spade brigade behind, it’s time to carry on, past the marina and down to the very end of the car park.  There you will find a footpath that runs between the railway and a boatyard.  Hold on- you’re in for a treat!  Look what’s coming!

It’s always a sight to gladden the heart, and I watch it disappear into the distance before turning my gaze back to the river.  At this point we have lovely views back to Whitby, while ahead lies the 120 foot high viaduct, built to carry the Whitby-Scarborough railway.  The route was closed in 1965 and the Cinder Track walking and cycling path I mentioned earlier now runs across it.

The River Esk was used to power corn mills in the village of Ruswarp, though the last closed in 1962.  The weir built to channel water into a mill-race has been adapted to power a hydro-electric project on the south bank.  As I follow the river, suddenly I can hear a whooping and a hollering.  Looking over the hedge I’m amused to see what looks like a scene from ‘Swallows and Amazons’.  The schoolkids are having a whale of a time.

I’m almost back to my start point when there’s the hoot of a whistle behind me.  Spinning round I’m delighted to see the engine racing along, black steam pouring from its funnel.  Steam trains don’t stop in Ruswarp, but slow at the level crossing where our trail ends.

Five minutes later and we’re back on the riverbank, where we began.  I hope you enjoyed coming along with me.

Yesterday we did what Dad would have wanted.  The family got together in a pub that he liked, and we talked and we laughed.  It was easy to imagine him there with us.  Today it’s all just memories.  God bless, Dad!

Dad in Krakow with Uncle Wlodek
And in Belchatow with tiny Piotrek

 

Thank you all for your company.  I hope you can find a little more time to visit these walks that people have kindly contributed.  If you’d like to join in, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  I’ll make you very welcome.  Time to put the kettle on now.

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Let’s start with an introduction.  Melodie lives in Manchester and she loves tea :

Hike around Edale, Peak District

You’ll enjoy Jude’s stroll in the YSP.  I certainly did!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park : Part Two

Maybe you should bring a blow-up boat for this walk with Violet :

The Fishing Islands

Jackie’s raring to go, as ever!  And well supplied :

Chuck Wagon

Fitbits are all the rage, aren’t they?  Marsha has it under control!

How to Get an Easy 10,000 steps in Sedona, AZ

Sometimes you can simply overdo it.  Believe me, Liesbet, I know!

Day Trips around Santa Fe, NM- Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque

Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque

Janet shares some fascinating details of this National Park :

The Badlands 1

The Badlands 2 

While Lady Lee is living the good life!

Being pampered in Das Kranzbach

You have to get up early for peace and quiet in Singapore, but you’ll be welcome to join Ju-Lyn :

Running to stillness on Orchard Road

Kathrin’s planning on some physical hiking in Yosemite.  I’d love to join her :

Places in California : Q is for…

While Woolly has some fun with the birds :

Jo’s-Monday–Walk-Wk38_Balyang-Sanctuary

I’m ending today with my lovely friend, Gilly, showing us yet another side to beautiful Firenze :

A walk in the Oltrarno

Many thanks to you all, and wishing you a great week!

143 comments

  1. I think that was the perfect walk to redo, in rememberance of your dad, Jo. It looks beautiful there, with these peaceful settings so close to a bustling town center. I just want to get in one of those row boats and get on the water. The steam train is very picturesque and brings one back in time, and, I’m sure, make the memories bubble up even more. I’m glad you had sunny skies this time!

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  2. What a joy to have such good memories of your Dad, Jo, and thanks for sharing this beautiful walk. It helps me recover a bit from the news this morning of the terrible shooting in Las Vegas.

    janet

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  3. Gosh, what a delightful walk! I would love to join you on it one day! I adore Whitby but have never been to Ruswarp, nor heard of the Screaming Tunnel. Lovely memories of your dear Dad.

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    1. It’s a very easy one, and you can make it as long or short as you like by extending your time in Whitby, Lisa. 🙂 🙂 The town is a bit too busy sometimes but it’s always full of character. Thanks a lot!

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  4. Memories are so wonderful. We too often think about what we lose and not so much abouit we were so lucky so those who had been a part of our lives.leave wonderful memories.:-)

    The Whitby area is sooooo amazing. Always enjoy my visits fully. These wonderful photos reminds me that I miss it. 🙂 🙂

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  6. Bless your beautiful Dad. What a lovely tribute to him. Stunning photos. Some pals of mine took a family holiday in Whitby this summer and had an amazing time. Have never visited, but it’s on the list!

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    1. He was a lovely man, Tanya, and it’s been an emotional couple of days but Monarch going bust took my mind off it for a while this morning! We’ve managed to rebook with Ryanair! Frying pan/fire comes to mind. 🙂 🙂

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      1. What a fiasco with Monarch. Glad you managed to rebook. Luckily we’ve not got any flights coming up with Monarch as we often used them. Stay strong and focus on the happy memories x

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  7. Fab photos as always Jo. I’ve been to Whitby a few times but didn’t know about Ruswarp being so close – that looks like a lovely walk and one I’ll remember for next time I’m over that way. Walking along with you really does give me some great inspiration and ideas 🙂

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  10. That river looks lovely and serene and such pretty row boats. A nice walk, but how long exactly? Reading this it seems quite short, but I know how far it is from that top car park (I have parked there myself) and over the bridge. Such lovely photos of your dad to end on. Glad you had a lovely day, I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to be sad, and this walk is a perfect way to remember him.

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    1. Maybe 4 miles round trip. You go out under the road bridge so once you come down from West Cliff it’s not so far, and plenty of distractions. 🙂 🙂
      Been to the cemetery and had lots of lovely messages from Poland and others. Day started with a shock. I really didn’t think Monarch would collapse. Fortunately we’ve been able to book similar with good old Ryanair! 😦

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    1. Thanks, Becky! It’s been a funny old day so far. Not the best of starts but we’ve been riverside walking with the group, along the Tees, and then to the cemetery. Lots of lovely messages coming in from the Polish family and friends. They had church services for him yesterday in Krakow and Belchatow. 🙂 🙂

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    1. He was a lovely man. The story of his life and meeting the Polish family is on the Dad link at the end of the post. You might be interested. Thanks a lot! 🙂 🙂

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