SEAHORES SAUNTER FINAL DAY

Sunday 21/02/2010. On leaving my overnight camp on the old Rosedale Mineral Railway line I had 27 miles on my legs, so for today it will take another 16 miles to complete the "Saunter". Overnight the weather changed into proper winter conditions, after completing the short climb up onto the moorland plateau from my camp visibility contracted and navigation was further complicated by deep snow infilling and covering the track across the moor. So it's out with the compass set a bearing and off we go. My picture here is from the access to the George Gap Causeway, where a 40 degree setting should take me to the intersection with Cut Road leading to Glaisdale, this latter track being much deeper and on the edge of Great Fryup Dale was easier to navigate - though regularly crashing through the surface brings it's own delight! Once down in Glaisdale all serious hill work is behind, the route becomes level, average speed improves and it didn't seem to take long to get into the Esk Valley and the final miles to Whitby. Unfortunatley from the point of view of my photo-diary, it snowed all day long only stopping quite litteraly as I reached the end of the walk which I did reaching Whitby about 4.30pm giving me a total walking time of 20hrs and 15 minutes. The official length of the walk is 43miles and my GPS said 44.5 so I wasn't too far out, though I did cheat a wee bit. When I got to Whitby I had to pass the bus station and there was a bus for Middlesbrough standing and about to go, I boarded (Sunday bus services being a bit of a mystery, so take one while you can is my motto)! and thus avoided the official finish at the top of the famous 199 steps, still I have climbed them several times in the past so hope St. Hilda will be able to forgive my sin. A great walk.