EASTER We have had another wonderful holiday at Dale View (our fourth), the most stunning, solid, well equipped and welcoming house we’ve ever stayed in. We’ve made for old favourites this fortnight, in sunshine, rain, hail and fog: Runswick and Robin Hood’s Bay for fossils, sea grassland pebbles; walks over the top to the Cycle Hub cafe in Fryup Dale, along Blakey Ridge, Hole of Horcum, Roseberry Topping (sideways through the bluebell woods, not straight up), Farndale, Lordstones and Rosedale Abbey – cake and lunch at the Graze on the Green are amazing! The pathfinder guide for the North York Moors and the circuits on the North York Moors website give excellent suggestions as usual. The kids loved Treetop Adventures at Dalby Forest (our hearts are still in our mouths!) and the funfair at Beamish, next time we will revisit the Birds of Prey Centre at Helmsley. This time we enjoyed identifying upland birds from their calls on the RSPB website. Food has been mostly at home. Tesco delivery (and such a well equipped kitchen) has been a lifesaver. Thank you Liz and Danny, for a lovely and remarkable stay.

SPRING Dear Liz and Danny. Thank you once again for a fabulous week in Beacon View barn. We just can’t get enough of this place. (Evident by this being our 7th visit!) It is so peaceful and relaxing. A real escape from our day to day lives! We have had lots of lovely trips out with favourites being: The Birds of Prey Centre in Helmsley. A trip on the steam train to Whitby (with lovely tea and cake in Sherlock cafe). A walk across the moors to the Cycle Hub (lovely lunch) then on to the Moors Centre (nice cake!) and back home again. The food at the Wheatsheaf pub in Egton was delicious and the staff so friendly – can definitely recommend. Thank you for making us so welcome, as always.

AUGUST We’ve really enjoyed our week in Dale View. Breakfast on the patio with the wonderful views has been a great start to the day. Our trips out included:                                                                                   -Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton Le Hole and the barn tea rooms. Dedicated gluten free menu + great choice of cakes. Saltburn by the Sea beach walk and ice creams, carparks busy but parked on the road. Danby Moors Centre we did the 2 mile circular walk route via Danby Castle. Whitby, boat trips on the Endeavour pirate ship, Whitby Museum + Abbey. Lunch at Quayside Fish & Chips – excellent for gluten free. Sandsend beach + forest walk. The tide comes right in- beware of tide times.

SEPTEMBER Dear Liz and Danny. What an amazing hidden gem in the middle of the North York Moors, we were very spoilt here in the ‘luxurious barn’ with the best views of the area! Especially for our first visit to this area of England this was spectacular. With the little girls real sightseeing was quite challenging, but we still managed to get a taste of the area: Saltburn (our only rainy day – unfortunately no mini railway, but we did travel the old original cliff funicular tram. Whitby, (the stones collected ensured several hours of kiddie fun), The Danby Show ( very lovely sunny day and unique experience for us ‘city people’:-) Helmsley and the walled gardens and best of all, the fun in and around the house (the toy shop that the kids loved, the walks into the heather, the great views, the cloud formations, the different comfy seats around the cottage and all the food – too many cakes, sones etc, etc! feeding the doves etc, etc. And then I nearly forget our great dinner date night at The Eskdale (their lemon Posset dessert is divine!) Thank you for the hospitality and for making this home so comfortable ( all little details and beautiful design/lighting etc was appreciated!)