Downbound Train

A montage is required today as an awful lot has happened since Friday night. After leaving Leeds on Saturday morning, we headed deep into the North Yorks Moors to a place called Grosmont, where we boarded a steam hauled train for a Pullman Dining experience. Off we set on a return trip to Pickering, being served a delicious three course meal during the course of the journey. Even had a 10 minute break at Pickering giving me a chance to get a shot of our engine.
We spent the night in a hotel near Whitby, about which, the less said the better. Promised much, delivered little, dirty and shabby. Not what you expect for £140!
On the plus side, breakfast was ok, the bed was comfortable enough and it was somewhere to sit and watch Eurovision, though I wish I hadn’t bothered! But we did get to go into Whitby in the evening and saw the Abbey, walked round the harbour and old town and then drove up to the Captain Cook Monument (not pictured, but just to the left of the whalebone arch).
This morning, we returned to the railway and visited the station at Goathland. Fellow diners yesterday had recommended we try the scones at the tea room there, describing them as “epic”. They were not wrong. Whilst we were there, two trains came in and out so it was a pleasant morning of trainspotting! Goathland station doubled as Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film and the rest of the village is better known as the setting for the TV series Heartbeat. Plenty of references to Aidenfield, and some iconic locations all to be seen within half a mile of the car park. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Before heading off to our overnight halt in Manchester, we called in to the village of Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering. Some may recognise that as the location of the classic car firm Mathewsons, who feature in the programme “Bangers and Cash”, much loved by us petrolheads. Mrs C had wisely checked it was closed on a Sunday so no chance of me buying anything. But it is a lovely village in its own right and we had a delicious lunch and indulged in a couple of ice creams.
After that, it was just a grind across the M62 to Manchester and our - much nicer - hotel for tonight. Time to have a nap (Mrs C) and catch up on blip (me) before we head off out again for this evenings entertainment.
More tales of our meanderings around the U.K. tomorrow…