The route walked is in green

Canadians - look at 870 040 - do you recognise any names there?

Dollie is the first backmarker (sweep!) today

During the two weeks we had each taken a turn to spend a day as back marker, but as there were only 13 of us we took it in turns on the final day. So that Howard could tell who was back marking we used Loz's stripy hat .

A horse and rider join the group for a short distance.

The climb out of Grosmont was on one of the steepest sections of road in the country - a sapping 33% incline. We all just put our heads down and went and there was much relief on gaining the top. We could have done with the horse!

Passing near the pretty little village of Littlebeck

At this point Loz is fiddling with her phone having just recorded the horses hoof sounds while filming her own feet - a very amusing effect.

We turned right at the bottom of the hill so didn't see the village in the end.

Moving on into Littlebeck Wood we saw this 'Hermitage'

It is in fact a folly and was carved out of the rock in about 1760 by an out of work seaman on the instructions of the local schoolmaster George Chubb. Two wishing chairs were placed on the top of the Hermitage; it is said that if you made a wish in one, you must then sit in the other one to make it come true.

Falling Fosse waterfall.

We walk alongside pretty May Beck

Yours truly takes his turn wearing the fancy hat

Higher up and on open ground the breeze had got up a bit so we sheltered behind a dry stone wall near the trees to have our lunch

Now Pat takes the hat - it suits her much better than it did the previous wearer!

After walking through a caravan site we reached the sea - a short shower produced this double rainbow to welcome us. Please excuse the jagged horizon - I must have moved a little taking the panorama shot

I should make a note here of thanks to Margaret's friend and ex-colleague , Karen, who was waiting at Hawsker with a big box of chocolate brownies for us. Not only that, she reappeared at Robin Hood's Bay with Champagne and cups for us all. Thank you for being so thoughtful Karen, it was very sweet of you!

We finish as we began, walking through dramatic coastal scenery.

Now Jim takes over - looking quite mischievous in the hat

Rocket Post Field

The Rocket Post was used by the coastguard to practice rescuing ship-wrecked sailors from this stretch of the North Sea. A rocket was fired from the post towards the stranded ship, carrying a double strand of fine line. The sailors grabbed the line, securing it around the mast from where it could be fed through to be replaced with a stronger rope. A Breeches Buoy – a circular life belt with shorts attached – was then sent along the line to the ship so that sailors could climb inside and be hauled to shore.

Robin Hood's Bay village - we got there in the end

This couldn't have been arranged any better - Dollie feels right at home!

Ah, here is Fiona, encountered several times on the trek walking alone and fast and visiting many more land marks than we managed.

We press ganged Fiona into taking this final group shot with us all nearly standing in The North Sea having dipped our feet and left our pebbles as is the custom.

Here to greet us again is the rainbow

The End. A happy Ann and relieved Pat stand at the marker. Well done to you all - what a great holiday it was!

What we are left with after walking 192 miles across the country is a set of memories that will stay with us for a long long time. The pain, the joy, the wonderful weather and above all the companionship. The knowledge that we’ve completed probably one of the best walks in the country and maybe in the world.