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. Thinking of you Jo – such a lovely way to remember your dad. Beautiful photos of a beautiful place! One of my mum’s favourite places too. No change – we remain on hold. Am trying to get on with things as best I can here as I need to be there to support my dad afterwards and can’t sit over in the UK indefinitely. A lovely tribute post to your dad xx

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    1. It’s so difficult for you, hon. You don’t want to be too late but who knows exactly when is the right time. My Dad loved Whitby and it just seemed to be the right thing to post. Sending more hugs! Awful when there’s no hope of a happy outcome.

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      1. Thanks Jo yes it is simply a question of waiting for the inevitable now. My mum has surprised us before and even though there is no hope of recovery she is managing to hang on. I have had 2 friends who came over to the Uk and then had to come back and miss the funeral as events took longer to unfold than expected. I have had to let go of the idea of getting there beforehand as my dad needs my support more afterwards and I can only be away from commitments here for so long. Thankfully I saw Mum in May even though she no longer recognised me. Very sadly she has been lost to us all with advanced dementia for many years. Sad times. Lovely post about Whitby though! 🙂

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      2. It struck me again the other day that I wasn’t present at the deaths of either of my parents, Rosemay. Sad facts of life. The important thing is to offer your Dad what comfort and help you can. 🙂

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      3. Thanks so much Jo – sad news my mum passed peacefully away late last night UK time (was early morning here). Very quick in the end – no time to call my dad and brother. Very sad but sense of relief that Mum is finally at peace (she had advanced dementia) xx

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      4. So sorry, darlin! I know it’s for the best but that doesn’t make it easier. Take care of yourself. You will have your hands full now keeping Dad steady. Might he come back to Australia with you for a while? Too early to decide. Sending massive hugs.

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  2. What a beautiful spot to walk, and in which to remember. Anniversaries can be difficult and I am pleased you had a good day; I hope the shadows didn’t return too soon. I think I will have a nice walk for you next Monday.

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    1. Thank you so much! We spent some family time together on Sunday and that was really good because I hadn’t seen any of them since the funeral. I’ve noticed on Twitter that you’ve published a few more walks but it’s not easy to read them on my very old phone. I keep meaning to come over to yours but time/life gets in the way. I’ll pop over shortly.

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    1. I’ve always loved my north east coast, Otto, and it’s not hard to see why. 🙂 🙂 We don’t have the best weather, but weather isn’t everything, and it’s so changeable now. Dad spent a big chunk of his life here and it made him happy. Thanks so much for your kind words.

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  5. A touching & beautiful tribute to your Dad! Thank you for allowing us to share in a special celebration for him.

    Such a lovely place; there is so much to see and do. Are those punts or rowboats? I haven’t been in either much so can’t tell. The shops are so quaint, and those bridge arches, my! they are a sight. So much of nature at her finest! To top it all off, brilliant sunshine!

    Here’s my contribution for the week: some greenery in the midst of the city
    https://purplepumpernickelblog.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/guess-who-i-met-at-the-singapore-botanic-gardens/

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    1. Fabulous, Ju-Lyn- thank you! 🙂 🙂 The sun was shining and I hate to waste it, so off we went. Dad would have loved to be there but he couldn’t do the walking. Those are rowing boats in the first and last shots and the youngsters are in canoes.

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  8. I always love coming along on your trips to Whitby. This one was extra special, with a new route for us, and lovely memories of your father, as well. So glad the family were all able to get together and remember him.

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      1. Here’s something to make you smile. Probably as a result of travelling with you to Whitby, as well as your comment about Monarch, I had a strange dream last night; I was on a plane trip, which was diverted to a remote mountain village. The pilot who so skilfully handled the difficult landing was none other than yourself. The landing didn’t phase you at all. As we the passengers settled into our temporary accommodation, you were seen going off for a run along the goat tracks. LOL; how’s that for a Monday walk story.

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      2. Do you think I should try it? I’d probably need to be blindfold! Those poor passengers! I hope the accommodation was good, and I really do think you should stop eating cheese at bedtime. 🙂 🙂

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      3. The accommodation was fair enough but your jogging outfit was magnificent; black with white polka dots. 😀 Don’t worry, no cheese consumed tonight.

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  9. What a wonderful way to remember your father. Though I remember you taking us to Whitby several times, even in winter, I don’t remember this particular walk. The riverside looks especially charming.

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  10. A lovely walk, and a nice way to remember your Dad. Everyone* I know seems to have been to Whitby recently! Shows what a special place it is.

    *Possibly a slight exaggeration.

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  11. Ahh big anniversary hugs darling, your dad would have loved this post ((( ❤ )))
    What a pretty little place Whitby is and I bet the fish and chips are delicious too, I can smell them and the steam train! The last photo is positively dreamy, beautiful x:-)x

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    1. He’d go anywhere for a pint, Gilly, and if fish and chips were on offer, so much the better 🙂 🙂 We had a really nice family get together yesterday- I haven’t seen any of them since the funeral- and lots of lovely messages arrived from Poland and from friends. Thanks so much, hon!

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      2. More!!!??? I haven’t had time to go in the Reader yet or visit most of my comments. 😦 I’ll get there! Busy couple of days and our airline crashing didn’t help. 🙂

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      4. We rebooked with that reliable chap Mr. Ryanair first thing this morning. Doubt we’ll get our money back but it cost less than the Monarch flights and we’ve gained a day (and a lot of messing about with travel arrangements 🙂 ) Still going is the good news. Wouldn’t have done for the offspring to get there and I wasn’t.

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  16. Jo, a beautiful walk tinged with sadness and memories…I love the sound of your Dad, his grit and determination to get up that hill, his love of Whitby and a pint! We had one of our favourite holidays in Whitby and despite a week there I’ve never heard of Ruswarp…it looks a lovely varied walk and I had to smile at the children on the river – just as life should be! Hugs to you, Jo. xx

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  18. Precious memories Jo, your dad would have been proud of this tribute to him and your visit to one of his favourite places. I have never visited Whitby, it looks so lovely. It is now firmly on my list of places to visit soon 🙂

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    1. Hi Gilda 🙂 🙂 Dad would have been quite happy to sit by the harbour with a pie and a pint and let me wander. (so long as I picked him up later 🙂 ) He was such an easy-going, lovely man!

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  20. Whitby was a place I fell in love when I first visited almost 35 years ago. (I seriously wondered how I could emigrate!) Your photos are bringing back warm memories.
    Here is my walk for this week, such as it is.

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