Not quite as planned.

A day of ups and downs.
Decided to do the scenic route to Runswick Bay, from York up and over the Howardian Hills, with a wonderful view over the Vale of Pickering.
A beautiful patchwork of fields of golden corn, green grass, brown ploughed earth, and in the distance the purple heather of the moors.
We had a lunch break at our usual spot on the moors in amongst the purple heather,  and on cue the steam train from Pickering to Whitby, puffed its way through the valley below.
Unfortunately Runswick Bay car park was full, and although we waited a few minutes no one came to leave. Also all roads into the village were packed with parked cars, so it was on to Saltburn.  Again all car parks full, and all roadside parking too.
Never seen the place as busy.
We then decided to go inland, as it was obvious, that on such a glorious day at the end of the school holidays,  everyone had decided to go to the coast.
We stopped at Guisborough Forrest where it was nice and cool walking through the woods. Lots of animal carvings, including this one of the dragonfly.
Had a laugh trying out some of the apparatus on the trim trail. Decided we were trim enough!  I thought my arms had come out of their sockets trying to swing on the high ladder.
( no photos taken)
Then to Great Ayton,   ( Web site )  where we had a walk round the village, and then a coffee sat by the river watching the children.
There is a lovely statue on the village green, of Captain Cook as a boy. He spent his childhood in the village. 
A good journey back down the A1(M).
So we still had an enjoyable day out, although it didn't quite turn out as planned, and I didn't get my paddle in the North sea.
Can't believe we clocked up 210 miles!