This was the first arranged trip for the group and only six members were available as others had still to retire and join us.  Those six were Ernie, Dave J, Malcolm, Bob, Bill and Peter.  Everything went well with catching the planned trains and also the accommodation.

First stop was Scarborough via Hull from Kings Cross.  B&B was OK but finding a restaurant open on a Monday night proved problematic.  Eventually a Turkish place was found which also served some English dishes which suited Bill as he was not into foreign food by choice.

The following day saw us catch the bus to Pickering to ride on the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway.  When arriving at the bus stop just after 09.00 little in the way of passengers could be seen.  The 09.15 bus arrived again very little passengers in sight. Once that had disappeared round the corner all of a sudden hoards of OAP’s and their bus passes pushed to the front of the queue to make sure they got on the 09.30 bus.  We did get on and eventually caught the train to from Pickering to Grosmont at this time as far as steam was allowed to go.  Since then steam has been approved for the last leg to Whitby.

That night we enjoyed a better meal of fish & chips overlooking the harbour.

On Wednesday we then travelled to Carlisle by the coastal route of Middlesborough, Sunderland, West Hartlepool and Newcastle.  At Sunderland Malcolm was looking out for an old flame who he thought might still be waiting for there.  No such luck she sensibly gave up on him many years ago.

The two nights in Carlisle allowed us two excellent meals at Indian and Italian restaurants almost next door to each other.  In between these meals we travelled the Cambrian coast via Whitehaven and Barrow to Lancaster before catch a train on the west coast mainline up shap to Carlisle.

On the Friday we then travelled the Carlisle & Settle route over the Ribbleshead viaduct in perfect weather to see that part of the country to Leeds to finally catch the train back to Kings Cross and eventually home.

This success prompted us to make this an annual event but earlier in the year.