Date: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Day: 15
From: Blakey Ridge To: Grosmont
Start Walking: 900am End Walking: 215pm
Distance (Planned): 22km Distance (Garmin): 21.7km
Progress: 276.7/306km
Ascent: 222m Descent: 549m
Weather: Very cool, grey and misty to start and then warm.
Stayed At: Geall Gallery & B&B
General Comments:
• Today was quite a mixed one. The terrain varied as did the views. Unfortunately there was quite a bit of hard surface walking i.e. paved roads and when we weren’t dodging cars, we were walking on loose rolling rock. Not the best surfaces, but the views certainly made up for it.
• I misunderstood the trail notes and we were kept high on the moors for longer than expected, before dropping down into Esk Valley. We were both happy about that as we continue our love affair with the moors.
• There were many more people on trail including some new faces. Maybe they have caught up with us if they have been doing longer stages? Regardless, everyone had a spring in their step, being the penultimate day.
• The Cream Tea hunt was reignited today in an effort not to have to eat tuna for lunch AGAIN! We brought quite a few tuna sachets from Australia to have as our lunches and after 15 days, the novelty has definitely worn off. No cream teas were to be found, so tuna it was.😉
• The stepping stones at Egton Bridge were a highlight and not just with us. Being school holidays now, lots of kids were having a ball hopping from stone to stone. I loved how worn the stones were from thousands of feet over hundreds of years.
• Grosmont, where we are staying, is a funny little place as it seems to revolve around its train station. Tourists and train buffs are everywhere and we joined the throng. I always wonder what ‘normal’ tourists think when they see us grotty and sweaty hikers.😁 They would be wise to give us a wide berth!😅
Top Tips:
• Stages: If you feel the need, it would be easy to shorten today or break it into additional stages. There are quite a few smaller villages and all seem to have some sort of B&B accommodation. Just a tip though, if you plan to stay in Glaisdale, beware that it goes on forever. You think you have arrived in the village, but it stretches for quite a way along the River Esk.
• Grosmont: Train buffs, stay an extra night in Grosmont to ride the historic steam and diesel engine trains. Trains go to the lovely seaside town of Whitby and to Pickering.
One day to go!
Life...one big adventure 
It seems a lifetime since I stood on that platform. We were regular visitors when James was small. And those stepping stones! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad I am taking you on a trip down memory lane. Xx
LikeLike
I like blue skies, but big and puffy clouds are definitely the right ‘ingredient’ for beautiful photos. And how lovely are the stepping stones, the heather blooms, the moors, the trains … I’m disappointed that the last day is here (for both you and me)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This trail just keeps on giving. You can’t take a bad photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a lovely week with my two youngest sons in this region way back on 1995 but I remember it well. Only one more day and what wonderful weather you have had. Robin Hoods Bay is so picturesque, and steep. But you should definitely be able to get a cream tea there. And do not miss out on visiting Whitby whilst you are in the area. Some of the best fish and chips there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We simply cannot believe our luck with the weather. It would have been a completely different experience if we had been rained on every day.🌞 And Yes, I am sure the PiC will track down another cream tea before she heads home to Aus.🎂☕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the fish and chips were good in Whitby 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
And they were pretty damn fine in Robin Hood’s Bay last night too!🐟🐟 Along with a glass of wine, of course. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear, Mel😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tuna, tuna, tuna!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is becoming a dirty word!🤣🤣🐟🐟🐟
LikeLike
The moodiness of the skies in the first few photos are frame worthy! How is possible you are embarking on your last day? Perhaps spent contemplating where to next?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blink and the adventure is over…for now. Watch this space. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Magnificent old steam engine! Can’t get excited about the diesel though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. The diesel just didn’t have the romance of the steam and it smelled much worse!🚂🚂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are powering through Mel, nearly there now!! I’d love to ride that steam train to Whitby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another fabulous day, which I will post about shortly. 🚶♀️🚶♀️
LikeLike
I can’t believe you brought tuna sachets with you as supermarkets in the UK would have them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, haven’t seen any here so far and the local/European hikers has never heard of them. While we are definitely over tuna, it has saved us a lot of money!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, interesting. We have them here. Fair enough, and saving money on food is a big positive. We always had them when motorhoming for storage reasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it’s just a Kiwi/Aus thing? They have been very handy if a little repetitive. Hope all is trucking along OK in your World. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be. Les had respite care in hospice last week, so we both had a good breather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thinking of you and sending hugs.xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mel xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dying was expensive in 1948, but it looks like putting words onto signs was, too. So many ditto marks! Having just returned from hot and sunny southern California, those grey skies look very appealing. A little cloud cover must have been very welcome. Beautiful moors. The Husband tells me train buffs (aka transport enthusiasts) is a big thing in England. We took the Settle to Carlisle train once and it was full of said buffs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the train today, I saw people standing on platforms filming our train as it went by and it was a modern train! I give them full marks for passion!🚂🚂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! 🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, that was for your last coast to coast path post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣🤣
LikeLike