Ripon, North Yorkshire

It felt good to wake up in the forest, albeit a little wet. Just four of us in the little camping field last night, the only sound from the frustrated ram housed next to us, who kicked the walls in his shelter. We'd been told there was no need to rush to leave this morning, so we didn't, waiting until midday when the light precipitation gave way to an improving picture. Nearby, was Pickering, a pretty little market town that sits at the foot of the North York Moors.

It is also home to the North York Moors Railway, who on the weekend of the 25th-28th September will be hosting their annual steam gala. Whilst we were at the station a banner for the event was being tied to a railing, and guess what the train pictured was only  'Squadron', a steam train one of Angela's brothers has a part share in.

Normally this train is housed at Swanage steam railway. Talk about coincidence. Pickering is an interesting town, the medieval church of St. Peter and St. Paul houses one of the best complete sets of medieval frescos in England.

We've visited many churches on our travels, and you never know what you'll see inside once you step through the door. As always everyone we spoke to in the town was friendly, and outside a pie shop a man recommended the sweet chilli and pork sausages roll, giant size.

They do love a pie in Yorkshire, and we do now as well. Today though was to be our last, they're hardly healthy eating! For the third time on this trip we are back at Ripon. Whilst we enjoyed our visit to the moors and east coast we prefer the west of Yorkshire more. Sadly, we must leave this area in a day or two to begin our journey south. Yorkshire we've loved being here, and we're sure we'll return.

Stoneclose Campsite, Dalby, North Yorkshire

Until the early hours this morning the wind refused to give in. Finally by seven all was calm and bright. Today we were going to be leaving Yorkshire's east coast, but first we had a couple of places to visit. First, Robin Hoods Bay, back in the day a haven for smugglers.

Picturesque narrow cobbled streets take you down to the car free harbour. On the shore we picked through pebbles and rocks looking for fossils.

The car parking charge was quite hefty, so after two hours we readied to leave. As we descended one of the steep narrow cobbled paths we met two women helping their very elderly mother up the steps. Perhaps a walking pole or stick would have been of use. No way, the older lady commented, they're for old people. It's confirmed then. Angela's old! She always takes her walking pole with her to steady herself. Then a drive down the coast, passing the bustling seaside resort of Scarborough to Flamborough Head.

A chalk headland with sheer white cliffs. Angela remembers visiting here as a child. The dramatic cliffs, home to many nesting seabirds earlier in the year now stood silent. John hasn't felt well today, so our planned walk along the cliff top was abandoned. Just a walk to the lighthouse and a little further on had to suffice.

Down on the gravel shoreline a colony of grey seals. Angela had read they'd be here, and even though we couldn't do the walk, observing the seals below was a real hilight. Flamborough was our turning point. We headed back across the North York Moors witnessing the devastation caused by the recent fires. We could see whisps of smoke rising from the peat that smouldered underground. As we passed through the pretty village of Thornton le Dale a stop to view Mathewson's Garage where the television show Bangers and Cash is filmed.

Then a short drive to Dalby Forest which is where we are staying tonight on a farm campsite. Our neighbour the farms ram, who's very placid, but who also looks very bored. He probably would like some female company.

The campsite is very quiet, and we've been told there is no rush to leave in the morning, so if the weather's good we'll take a walk into the forest. You can't beat a walk amongst the trees. Forest bathing is a wonderful calming pastime.

Whitby, North Yorkshire.(Day 2)

All through the night the wind  battered us, causing our pop top to shake a little. The unrelenting rain battered Margery, and just to mix it all up a little, the wind decided to change direction, so we weren't parked quite in the right direction. This morning, a little water ingress on Angela's side of the pop top. Don't be thinking she's leaking, it was the weather directing it's worst at us. Today we decided to sit tight. Just a little way down the coast, the direction we are heading, the wind speed was forecast to be double that expected here at Whitby. Also, on Saturday evening at Staithes after we returned from our walk around the village Angela slipped off the vans side step skinning her left shin. Yes, she's still as accident prone as ever! Fortunately it's not her driving leg, as Margery has a automatic gearbox. Late last night after many hours of walking around Whitby she noticed her leg was very swollen. So a change of dressing and a compression bandage applied she retired to bed with her leg raised in order to rest it. This morning her leg was much improved. Lunchtime the bad weather relented a little and we made a break for it, walking into town, stopping at the historic 13th century St. Mary's church, it's cemetery referenced in the novel Dracula.

We hoped to lunch out at a pizza restaurant, but being a Monday they were all closed except one, which had no customers, not really the best advert. So it was hot pasties, and delicious they were as well.

This evening there are only a handful of vans in the parking area by the abbey. The wind is once again doing It's worst. It's now becoming a little tedious. Tomorrow we want to visit Flamborough Head, so we are really hoping the wind abates overnight as forecast. Can't be taking accident prone Angela up on the cliff tops in a high wind!

A Whitby Jet workers sign.