More miles

Our walks are usually about eight miles long, but a week on Monday, we're going to Richmond to take part in the annual walking festival.

We're not being too ambitious - three seven or eight mile trogs, and one of ten miles, on successive days.

We decided, however, to stretch ourselves a little today in preparation, so we drove to Robin Hood's Bay for a 13-mile round trip to Whitby, following the Cleveland Way along the cliffs on the outward leg, then the former railway track for the return.

I carried my flashy new daysack for the first time.

The day went very well. We made such good time into Whitby that we decided we could even give ourselves the treat of visiting Beckett's excellent café in Skinner Street, presided over by the charming Julie Curry.

It was the first really reliable fine day for several weeks, and there were a goodly number of people walking the trails.

We saw blackberries aplenty, but decided not to stick to sampling them until the final hour, when we began collecting them for tonight's pud.

A wonderful day out, surrounded by superb views.