Day 36

It is easy to see how the scenery could inspire JRR Tolkein to write the Hobbitt and The Lord Of The Rings when living in England.  The rolling hills, the moors, dales, mountains, fields, forests and woods are not only beautiful but you can just picture the magical stories that this man wrote.  The woods especially are so, the trees are so densely foliaged that only a small amount of light reaches the ground.  How great they would be to explore.  Today we added mist, rain, fog and 12 degrees temperature so the feeling closed in around you even more – magic (but cold). We had to hold Wally back so we did not lose him in the dense woods, they truly fascinated him, Aussie bush hah!

For most of it we drove around the North Yorkshire Moors enjoying the narrow, twisty roads, magical views but mostly keeping warm and dry.  This area of North Yorkshire features many really steep descents and steep hill climbs.  Buses and trucks slow our progress but still good driving.

One stop was the little village of Goathland, setting for the town of Aidensfield in the British TV series “Heartbeat”.  Checked out the village shops, post office, Bernie Scripps Garage and of course the Aidensfield Arms pub.  This is one of our favourite shows on TV so now we will be able to say been there seen that!! The train station was also one of the locations for the first Harry Potter movie.

Off to Whitby for the best fish and chips in England, from the Magpie Café.  All four  us enjoyed thick, luscious cod (even Wally who cant normally eat sea food) and lovely fluffy chips.  Caroline has always reckoned they are different and we now all have the proof.  Better than Anges’ at Drysdale??? We can’t wait to get back home and try them out again. 

The area also abounds with references to Captain James Cook as he was born and raised in before his fascination began with the sea in Staithes and later Whitby where he served his seaman’s apprenticeship.