Funiculi, Funiculà.

The sun made an appearance for our day at the seaside.
Saltburn is a lovely old fashioned Victorian town.
We started with a ride on the funicular railway which took us from the pier up to the town.
A first for us as it has always been closed.
It is the oldest water balanced funicular in Great Britain which s still operating. Opened in 1884. Main blip photo.

Extra is a collage of our walk round the town, which seems to be thriving. A town of individual shops. Just one chain which is Sainsbury’s Supermarket. Only saw one empty shop.

The town was built by Henry Pease. Son of a Quaker industrialist Joseph Pease who was functional in creating the Stockton to Darlington Railway. It was his proposal to extend the railway, planned to transport the ironstone from East Cleveland to the furnaces by the River Tees, which gave Henry the chance to build a new seaside resort. Many of the buildings were built of white bricks from the Pease brickworks in County Durham.

Collage.
From top left.
The Pier. Opened in 1869 1500ft long. Due to various storms and collision with boats, is now only 681 feet long.
Riding the waves.
Railway Station.
Miniature Railway.
The Gardens.
Sculpture of Henry Pease.
Apartments of Alexander House.
Fun at the seaside.

We stopped in Great Ayton on the way back and found the most fabulous tea shop.
The building used to be the old Poorhouse, hence the name.
Converted from two derelict cottage about 18 months ago.
Had a nice chat with the owner who told us all about the conversation and showed us photos of ‘ before’ and ‘ after’. They certainly have done a fabulous job.
( see extra).   We will be back.

Back at the caravan we enjoyed some of the Rosé we bought yesterday.

A beautiful warm sunny day which we have certainly enjoyed.