Sunday 4th June

Breakfast on Sunday included a strategy meeting to decide on how much we were prepared to pay to go on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Seems like it would cost £45 to go all the way; which seemed rather a lot since going all the way may be a bit too much for some of us. After all some of us were North Yorkshire Moors Railway virgins. Nevertheless, we decided to go to Pickering and see what the initiation arrangements were.

When we got there, we found that it was cheaper if you didn't go all the way, and we bought tickets for Goathland and return which was only £22.50.

We only just made the 10;55am train. Pete had to chat up the train guard to delay the train whilst Brian drummed up enough steam to get to the train.

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Disappointingly, the trains were being pulled by diesels for our visit.

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The station at Goathland.

Geraint had decided to stay in Scarborough. Maybe things had got complicated again!!

The train takes us through the beautiful Yorkshire Moors countryside.

Once at Goathland, we had coffee at the station café.

Brian, Joanie, Pete and Kathy decided to return on the next train whilst Alan, Barbara, Jerry and Fiona decided to take the full Goathland experience and walk into the village.

The village is famous for being the setting for the TV drama Heartbeat and had also been used for some scenes in the Harry Potter films.


The first recognisable place we came across was the Aidensfiled Arms - now operating as the Goathland Hotel.

After that we came across Scripps' garage, the Post Office and the General Store.

We decided to get lunch in the old Aidensfield Arms where we had a very commendable meal and drink.

Once back in Pickering, we had a quick walk around the town before heading back to base at Scarborough.

Brian and Pete were ensconced in the Tunny Catch when we we got there.

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Johnny-no-mates soaks up the atmosphere of an empty platform.

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The Goathland Hotel/Aidensfield Arms.
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These images were on the roadside, no doubt to remind people of the other film related connection.

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Scripps Garage.
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The Aidensfield Stores.

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Another diesel for the journey back.
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The North Bay Promenade.

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Scarborough Castle.
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Galvanised steel statue of a female Victorian swimmer with a steel girder symbolising the constraints of the Victorian society, stepping down from a 'bathing machine'. The woman is also wearing an elaborate swimming costume that all women at the time were forced to wear to cover their body.

Our meal tonight was at the Premier Inn Restaurant as we thought we should try out what they could deliver.

It turned out not to be too bad.

Everything went well until we tried to explain to Pete how we were going to pay the tip. Still it wouldn't be Dungroamin without total confusion!!

Geraint didn't join us for this meal as he had arranged to meet this girl by the clock-tower in Scarborough.

We don't know the outcome except to say it was "very complicated"!

Dungroamin Management asked if he needed a mediator. He said he would let us know.