We’d originally earmarked this weekend for winter climbing, or if not, joining the CUHWC trip to Capel Curig, but the forecast for our usual mountain haunts was even more grim than usual.  Deciding we’d had enough of battling wind and precipitation against the backdrop of the inside of a cloud, we headed north east instead, in search of pastures new, low and hopefully sunny.

The three-hour drive from Oakham to Kirkbymoorside was pleasantly short, allowing us to leave after dinner and arrive in good time to find a parking spot and enjoy a beer before bed.  We are now discovering some of the true joys of the van – no need to worry about booking somewhere to stay, being able to change plans at the last minute, yet far more civilised and less effort than camping.

We couldn’t quite believe our luck on waking to glorious sunshine, and set off from our parking spot on Harland Moor to do an anticlockwise round of Farndale, via Blakey Ridge, the Coast to Coast to Bloworth Crossing, and Rudland Rigg.  It did get rather windy later, and we found the track walking somewhat monotonous.  However, these were minor gripes, and not enough to stop us detouring to bag Round Hill on Urra Moor – the high point of the North York Moors at 454m!  We then spent the evening at the fantastic Lion Inn on High Blakey Moor, which we’d scouted out earlier, enjoying the welcoming atmosphere and hearty portions.

Parking on a ridge in strong winds was perhaps not our best idea, but it was close to the pub, and anyway the van stayed upright overnight.  On Sunday we headed to the coast to explore Whitby and walk from Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar and back.  Disappointingly, the cafe at Boggle Hole wasn’t open for cream teas, but we finally tracked one down at the Yorkshire Hotel to round off the weekend perfectly.