Shaken but not stirred…

Oh boy! Was last night rough!  Poor old Bessie rocked and rolled all night from the remnants of ex-Ophelia.  Not a brilliant night’s sleep but we left Park Top Farm just before 11.30am and, for the last time, had to call on Ken for a tug with his big red tractor.  Smilingly he waved us goodbye, probably glad to get back to his farming!  We would certainly stay again but, as he advised on our leaving, “Come back again… in the summer!”

The sheep were looking content in the next-door field, probably happy too that the storm had passed…

First stop – the old Richmond railway track to give Alfie a run before our journey down to Hull began.

This is me and him having a break!

The next requirement is a repeat ice cream – this time dark chocolate, chocolate orange and black cherry.  Sorry, no photo this time…

Then, off we go, via Tesco, on our journey south-east to Hull, city of culture 2017!

Photos taken along the way in warm autumnal sunshine…

Nostalgic view of the Golden Lion in Northallerton

Thirsk – there is a James Heriott Museum!

Chalk cliffs

Impressive entrance to the National Centre for Birds of Prey

The pretty town of Helmsley

We diverted from our journey to take some quick photos of Rievaulx Abbey, one of which is the header picture.

A signpost tells us we are in the Howardian Hills and we took a detour.  The road is magnificent – sweeping hils, punctuated by impressive obelisks and arches.

Obelisk

Carmire Gatehouse

Although we knew that our next campsite was east of Hull itself the sat nav sent us firmly to the city centre.  We would live to regret that decision when we saw signs to diversions, long queues and ultimately a policewoman in the middle of the road re-directing the traffic.  Painfully slowly we crawled around the city until we were released again just before we reached the brightly coloured North Bridge which can be lifted to allow small boats through.

Wishing we had followed our instincts before the diversion, we eventually arrived at Burstwick, a little village with a Camping & Caravan site.  Very pleasant grassed area behind a bungalow.

Quite why Alfie is exhausted I have no idea but here he is at the end of a long day’s driving…

Night night Alfie…