The weather was perfect for our annual walk this year. The route set off from Easington and took us up onto the sea cliffs and then down into the wooded valley. On the way we passed the old alum workings and the partially excavated site of the Grinkle ironstone mine and we skirted the huge humming buildings of the potash mine. It was a potted tour of our industrial history.
The views were perfect after the days rain and our area looked quite stunning. No wonder the Cleveland Way is such a popular route.
Although the walk was only 2.5 miles it took us 2.5 hours which is disgracefully slow. Our excuse? Well there was a lost dog, a dead vole and several dead birds which had to be identified and inspected.
We also stopped to hear explanations of the workings of the various mines.
Piers had a family packet of crisps which kept us going. The final climb up out of the valley back to our cars on a little-used footpath was not recommended for the faint-hearted. A couple of us wisely chose to take the easy option; an alternate level route into the village and a wait to be collected by the others as they drove past. The last section of the non-existant footpath was rather challenging so they made the right decision. We arrived, nettled and scratched and with wet feet, 40 minutes late for our supper. Luckily the publicans were understanding and our chips cooked in beef fat, sandwiches and Black Sheep beer were waiting for us.
