Heather

At last! 
As we drove up from Pickering towards Whitby, on the distant horizon,we could see the vivid splash of bright purple heather.
It had taken us two and a half hours to get here with two long traffic jams thrown in, but well worth it in the end.
I have never seen the moors look so breathtakingly beautiful.

A stop for lunch with a view over the moors and down the valley.
We heard a " hoot, hoot"  and a steam train into view winding it's way to Pickering.

Then on to Goathland, and as we drove down the hill we were met by a flock of sheep coming towards us over a narrow bridge. 
We pulled over to let them pass.
Must have been hundreds of them, all going back to the moor after being sheared.
A fabulous sight.  see extra photo.

Down to Beck Hole, and a stop for liquid refreshment at the smallest pub I have ever been in.
Nice to sit outside by the river, in the warm sunshine.

Then on to our friends Alison and Alan ( blipper northernlass261)
Alison had prepared a delicious meal for us and we chatted and laughed until time for us to set off back, as the sun was going down.

What a wonderful day. One to remember.