Wolds Way Day 5: North Grimston to Sherburn

I've been channelling Russell Crowe this week, running my hand across the fluffy bits on wheat and barley!

Helen and I were tired this morning as the pub revellers didn't leave till late and there was much banging of doors. Not the best of places for walkers to stay and that will be my feedback when we get home.

We had to walk a mile out of North Grimston to rejoin the Wolds Way on Cinquefoil Hill and then we were off once more on another lovely, sunny day. The route wound through Settrington Wood to the Beacon and then we began our descent towards the village of Wintringham through woodland alive with birdsong.

My blip is taken as we emerged from South Wold Plantation above a short, but steep descent to the valley floor. It was then a very hot trudge on a track between fields till we reached the village. We almost took a wrong track out of Wintringham because a group of villagers were chatting and hiding the sign. Two of them joined us on the approach to Deep Dale to ask us about our Walk planning, accommodation booking etc and then warned us of the steep climb to come!

The Wolds Way workers must have a sense of humour because when we reached the short but very steep climb they had angled the way marker up the slope. Conversation was on hold as we slowly headed upwards. At the top we were rewarded with another of the WANDER art installations 'Enclosure Rites' which I have blipped previously when we orienteered in this area.

At this point the Wolds Way turns pretty much due East in its drive to the coast. It was tough going in places due to a combination of lack of use and contouring along the escarpment. The sun was beating down on us from the right and we both had sore arms despite liberal application of sun tan lotion. It was also apparent that we didn't carry enough fluid.

The views, however, across the wide expanse of the Vale of Pickering, were wonderful. We passed above the pretty village of East Heslerton with its red tiled roofs and distinctive 105 foot octagonal spired church, St Andrews. The big plus of this part of the route was the number and mass of wildflowers we spotted, many of which we couldn't identify.

By the time we could see our destination of Sherburn hove in to view on the valley floor, we just wanted to get down and find a long cool drink, which is what we did. We had a couple of hours before our taxi arrived to take us to our B & B in Filey so we joined the regulars in the East Riding Pub and rehydrated.

Our taxi driver was a beekeeper so we had a fascinating, educational journey to Abbots Leigh where we were met by Chris with freshly made lemon buns and a lovely bedroom.

We have now showered and eaten fish and chips sitting on the front under the eye of a hungry seagull and we are relaxing before bed and our last day of walking!