After a reasonable breakfast, which we probably didn't need after last night's feasting, we ventured out to Pickering.
We decided to take a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a steam-train maintained by enthusiastic amateurs that runs over the moorland towards the coast. We soon realised that, being Hallowe'en weekend, and this being "Harry Potter" country, we were going to be joined by several hundred kids dressed as ghosts, witches and wizards.
Not to worry: the journey was very picturesque, cutting through lovely rolling moorland, in clear, late-Autumn sunshine. From the other end of the line (Grosmont), we called into a pub and then set off back along the line on foot.
After an hour or two, we reached Goathland, a small village up in the moors. It has the dubious distinction of being the setting for much of Hartbeat, the drama series set in the 1960s. Despite not being remotely a fan, it was still quite cool to sit in the pub (the Aidensfield Arms) and walk around in the 1960s garage across the road. The village's station has the more honourable title (IMHO) of being Hogsmeade station, from the Harry Potter films. So much so, the flying car from the film was parked up outside!
We made it back to Pickering on the last train of the day, and made our way back to the Onion Shed (by way of Cropton, to stop at the brew-pub there) at our B&B. Flagging a little from last nights excesses, and the exertions of the day (?!) we went into Helmsley village for dinner. Couldn't get into the Italian restaurant, so had a mini pub-crawl and a bar meal! Well... at least it made for a more peaceful night's sleep.
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