Some brief background info on St. Hilda (614 – 680) She was the Abbess of Whitby Abbey and an important figure in the Synod of Whitby. Which decided between the Roman and Celtic dates for Easter.

I arrived at Witby on a warm, sunny Saturday morning. Took the steps down from the yha (becides the abbey ruins) and breathed in some of the atmosphere of the place. As expected, there were many people, families, young and old having their day out experience. On the Monday, I set out along the basic route she would have made, heading north to the village of Hinderwell.

At Hinderwell, there’s a spring well besides the parish church, dedicated to her. She was said to have prayed for water during a draught once, and a spring appeared as a result. Then I continued along a disused railway line for a few miles, quite overgrown in parts. Also at one point, a heard of bullocks blocked the route. Fortuately a farmer’s boy was passing by and he suggested to wave them away and not to worry.

On the Tuesday morning I rode towards Middlesborough, on route to Hartlepool. The area was mainly housing estates and industrial complexes, quite different to pre-industrial times. Fortuately, there was a broad pavement with cycle signs, keeping the way ahead clear. Passing by the Tees transporter bridge wich was closed for maintenance. On over the historic Tee Newport bridge, headed to Headland at Hartlepool for a sandwhich lunch. I arrived and checked if the church (St Hilda’s) there was open, it was’nt. Even so, I could imagine St Hilda resting after journing and the peaceful atmosphere to wecome her there. For the Third route, I travel to Bishop Auckland, for the route via Durham.