This holiday covered the first half of the Cleveland Way - the moorland section so to speak - from Helmsley to the sea at Saltburn.

We had all arrived in Helmsley on 23rd - a smaller group than normal for some unexplained reason.

The first two nights we would stay at the very comfortable Feathers Hotel on the Market Square.

The Cleveland Way starts from the market cross in Helmsley and it was market day.

We walked past Helmsley Castle and through woodlands and fields to Rievaulx Abbey where some of the group visited this superb ruin.

We went on through the neat little village of Cold Kirkby to Sutton Bank where lots of gliders were taking off from the Gliding Club.

We took the detour along to the White House of Kilburn and back to Sutton Bank to the lovely cafe there.

From Sutton Bank we caught the bus back to Helmsley for a second night at the Feathers.

Taking the bus out in the morning, we could now set off for our next stopping place in Osmotherly.

From Sutton Bank we walked along White Mare cliff with staggering views of the Vale of York.

We walked through Paradise Farm out onto the purple heathery moors.

From the Black Hambleton Hill, we could see the Cleveland Hills - our next day walk - stretching ahead.

Our way then took us down past Oakdale Reservoir - where a stop beside the water was irresistible!

From here it was a relatively short way to Osmotherly where we were to stay this next night. Our luggage was waiting for us at Vane House B&B!

Today we were to walk from Osmotherly to Clay Bank, though the derth of accommodation at Clay Bank meant we would have transport to stay in Great Ayton.

We ascended to get our first view of Roseberry Topping, which we would climb in two days time.

We walked on through the woods of Scugdale until it was time to start our switchback ride on the Cleveland Hills!

After a brief stop above Snotterdale Plantation we climbed over Carlton Bank and down to the Lord Stones cafe where we had our lunch.

We spotted a swallow's nest over the door of the ladies toilet!

More climbing to do over Kirby Bank and past the plaque to Alec Falconer of the Ramblers Associsation.

Finally, after many ups and downs we did our last climb to the Wain Stones, scrambling through the rocks.

From here we descended for the last time that day to Clay Bank, and were driven by kind taxi to Great Ayton - a little way off the Way.

Here we stayed in a B&B and the local Inn, eating together at the Inn in the evening.

Returning to Clay Bank by taxi, we would now walk to Great Ayton over the moors - a long day taking in the disused iron railway that carried iron ore from the many mines in the area.

Of interest were the many interesting stones - the Hand Stone and Face Stone, so called for the carving of hand and face.

There was also a stone that people leave money on for passing wayfarers.

Our long tramp over the moor was rewarded at Kildale in the lovely Cafe where we had a good long sit.

Then it was up hill to see Captain Cook's monument - he was born in the area.

From here we had a lift to Great Ayton for the night.

The last offical day of this moorland half of the Cleveland took us to the sea!

We did our ascent of Roseberry Topping - the highest hill in the North Yorkshire Moors.

We then continued to a lovely airy lunch spot above Guisborough, with views to the sea.

Through the forest for a couple of miles and down to the Fox and Hounds for a welcome drink.

Then up again onto Airy Hill past fields and farms to Skelton.

Looking back we could see Roseberry Topping on the skyline looking a very long way away!

We went through residential areas for a while until reaching the lovely wooded valley of Skelton Brook which we followed all the way to Saltburn.

The miniature train came to greet us. After a quick paddle in the sea we tasted the now famous smoothies of Camfields cafe and then took the last steps up to our hotel.

That evening we celebrated with a meal at the local Italian restaurant before retiring to our beds - tired but feeling very achieved!

Four of us were able to stay for a short walk along the cliffs this morning, while the others left early in a taxi to the station, or back to Helmsley to recoup their cars.

We walked to the mineral railway and old disused fan house for ventilating the iron ore mine nearby.

We saw many birds including some peregrine falcons and lots of lovely flowers.

We returned to Saltburn to eat lunch on the beach and then took the fenicular cliff railway, Victorian water powered, up to the top of the cliff.

Finishing off with a smoothie in glorious weather our trip was over.