I then boarded the 1141 train bound for Hull where I arrived a little after 1300. I had room to assemble the bike on the train, so I was quickly on my way through Hull.
After all that has been said about Hull and the jokes about John Prescott, I found Hull a much more attractive place than I expected, especially in comparison to the approach I made from the west earlier in the year. The shops were as one would expect for a major city and the grand buildings bore witness to Hull's former glory as a major port.
Getting out of Hull proved more difficult than I had expected for two reasons. First, I though I had carefully loaded my route into the GPS unit - I hadn't! Secondly, there was no clear route through to the old Hull to Withernsea railway, which now served as a cycle path. After two or three dead ends, I finally made it onto a well surfaced track which was both footpath and cycle track. Outside Hull, there were golden wheatfields everywhere along the route which were just about ready for the combine harvester.
I reached the outskirts of Hedon in good time by 1405 and the the cycle path became downgraded to a perfectly negotiable cinder path. The Ryehill and Burstwick Station had been converted to a residence, preserving the platform and the buildings with a small amount of extension. The cycle track then deteriorated as I traveled towards Keyingham where I arrived at 1435.
At this unremarkable village, I dropped onto the very quiet A1033 and pedalled the road to Patrington (1500). This is a lovely village with relatively unspoiled houses and a magnificent church. Pausing for refreshment, I pushed on towards Holmpton (1525) along an unclassified road and finally to Withernsea (1600), a town I had not visted since I was a boy of 6! I am pictured here in 1949 at the front, on the left with my brother, David, my father and Aunt Madge.
.I made staight for the lighthouse which now serves as the town museum. Sixty years ago, it was a working lighthouse and we were shown round by the lighthouse keeper. In those days we were able to go outside on the balcony at the top, but "Health and Safety Regulations" have now outlawed this practice. After exploring the town, I made my way to the guest house.
Victoria House on Queen Street was very welcoming and immaculately clean. I was given a twin room with en-suite shower room and a massive choice of towels. After a rest, I made my way out to find somwhere to eat. I had a forgetable meal at the Spread Eagle and, to my dismay there was no draught bitter available, so I had to make do with keg beer. A little walk around Withernsea was followed by an early night.
Breakfast was an excellent "Full English" with lots of tea and toast. Thus replenished, I set off at 0800, along the quiet B1242, arriving at the small, but picturesque, agricultural village of Tunsall by 0835. A sign reassured me that, although the minor road ahead was closed to motor vehicles, it was still available for cyclists. I eventually found out that the whole road had recently fallen down the cliff, so there was no option but push the bike along a neighboring field until the road could be safely rejoined.
The way then led through Hilston and Garton, until the attractive small market town of Aldbrough was reached at 0930. A quick tour of the town brought me back to the B1242 and on to Mappleton at 1000. Here, the erosion of the soft, low cliffs was very evident. Attempts have been made to slow the disappearance of land, but it appears inevitable that Mappleton will eventually slip into the North Sea.
A further short ride brought me to the traditional seaside resort of Hornsea at 1025. Ten years peviously, I had walked here along the sands from Bridlington. What I can remember of this excellent walk from Filey via Flamborough Head will follow in due course!!
Having closed the gap and with theatening skies, I folded the bike and boarded the bus for a caravan site at Ulrome and yet another trip down Memory Lane. It was here that our family stayed in a converted railway carriage during that 1949 holiday. Now, nothing remains of the carriage, but what appeared to me at the time as a large barn where we played on wet days has now been spruced as the site office, looking very much smaller than I remembered. I had a welcome sandwich and cup of tea at the cafe before cycling to Bridlington under brighter skies and the train home.
See the pictures
