September 21, 2018 - Scarborough Castle and Pickering Castle

September 21, 2018 — Day 18 (Friday)

Woke to sunshine but no breakfast food so we walked to The Secret Garden for breakfast. We returned home, gathered rain gear for later and started for Scarborough. It’s not far and was a beautiful drive until we got to Scarborough where we ran into very heavy traffic. We found Scarborough Castle and Ed asked a man where to park and fortunately it was only a block down the hill. He parked and we walked up to the castle . . . English Heritage, so free for us as members. We climbed all over the ruins in high winds and got amazing photos of Scarborough and the north coast. We climbed down, visited St. Mary’s Church on the way to the car and fought our way through traffic, stopping to add air to the car tires yet again. [Scarborough Castle, Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY; tel: 01723 372451; Click here for the Scarborough Castle web site]

Driving home we stopped at the Downe Arms Hotel for a pleasant lunch. We both had Whitby scampi with peas, thrice-fried chips and a salad. Ed got a beautiful mango cheesecake with fruit for dessert and I had the warm chocolate brownie. [The Downe Arms Hotel, Main Rd, Wykeham, Scarborough YO13 9QB; tel: +44 1723 862471; Click here for the Downe Arms Hotel web site]

We continued home in and out of rain and sun, left the car at the house and walked up to the Pickering Castle, also English Heritage. Climbed all over before it started to rain so we walked home in a very steady rain, this time with umbrellas. [Pickering Castle, Castlegate, Pickering YO18 7AX; tel: +44 370-333-1181; Click here for the Pickering Castle web site]

Checked email and Charles got a new job so we’re all happy about that and we got an email from Hunter this morning. Good day! Tomorrow . . . to Helmsley.