Our Camping Adventure Part II

Thornton-le-Dale

On the Thursday, Sybil and I took a stroll into Thornton-le-Dale. Looking on my map, I could see instead of walking up into Pickering and then along the main road, we could cut straight across from the campsite up a farm track then down a public footpath into the village. The lovely lady who runs the campsite confirmed this, saying it was about a three mile walk.

On the way we met up with a group of three people and two dogs who were also staying on the campsite. Oddly enough, Sybil and the Border Collie, Bess, had had a bit of a shouting match only that morning in the dog-walking area, but off-lead they were both fine and had a race up the farm track. It appeared to be a draw.

We walked up to the village lake through a little wood. There were quite a few families of Mallards in the village; some on the lake, and others on the stream that runs through the village. These were the first ducklings I've seen this year, and very cute they were too.

Mallard family

Say it with me: "Awww!"

Heading through the village centre, we found the most photographed cottage in Yorkshire (and took a photo, obviously).

Beck Isle Cottage

Beck Isle Cottage

We then followed the stream out of the village, did a loop back through some woods and found a chip shop where we had chips and peas (me) and sausage (Sybil) for our dinner. Unfortunately our timing whilst heading back to the tent was poor, as we got caught in a heavy rain shower. When we got back we dried off and relaxed for the rest of the day, ready to pack up and head home the following morning.

Our Camping Adventure Part I

Well a holiday really, but adventure sounds more exciting I think. Sybil and I went to North Yorkshire, near the market town of Pickering and stayed at the Black Bull campsite. This involved travelling on several buses and trains with an enormously heavy rucksack (I tend to overpack) and a reactive dog (we met several other dogs in York station), but I managed OK. We arrived at the campsite to a very friendly reception from the owners and I set up our home for the next three nights.

Our five-star luxury suite

We then had a stroll up to Pickering Beck, where Sybil could have a good rampage round and a swim if she wanted. I tried to encourage her to go in the water, but she prefers to paddle. Small streams and puddles are more her thing.

Pickering Beck

After getting back to the tent, we chilled for the remainder of the afternoon and woke up the following morning (at 4am, cheers birds) to catch the steam train into Goathland. I took the obligatory photographs of the iconic Heartbeat buildings, and had a stroll to the village hall where a craft fair was in full swing.

Scripps' Garage

The Aidensfield Arms

The village store

Police car at Scripps' Garage

I bought a nice photograph of Mallyan Spout at the craft fair, and then decided to go visit the waterfall for myself. Luckily all the sheep were fenced in from this point so Sybil could go offlead, which was just as well as the way down was so slippery that if she had been pulling me then we would have both ended up in A&E!

Mallyan Spout

We then walked on to Beck Hole, then returned to Goathland via the Rail Trail which runs from Grosmont. This was a nice, easy climb with the path sides smothered with wild garlic, which gave a wonderful aroma to the air. After catching the train back to Pickering we arrived back at the tent after a full eight hours out, and I think a certain someone was a little tired:

Snore