(Simon writes) In warm February sunshine I spent Wednesday afternoon in Robin Hood's Bay, visiting accommodation and seeing how the land lies before our 2011 Coast to Coast season. Robin Hood's Bay is of course the pretty village at the end of the Coast to Coast trek.


Houses jostle for position in Robin Hood's Bay


From the coastal path continuing South, the village is set against the cliffs on which the Coast to Coast enters town


Close-up of the froth in the sea below


One of many snickets in the old village above the bay. To explore these alleys is a pleasure, following one's nose


The scene in the bay on this quiet winter day


Higgledy-piggledy rooftops


Coast to Coasters can approach the old village down this path

Meeting our hosts in their B&Bs and hotels is always a reminder of how many different experiences come packed into a two-week holiday. For example, we love to book classic guest houses, and village inns or and restaurants-with-rooms, run by enthusiastic owners. Part of the charm is that no two places are alike. A manor house in its gardens is a treat and adds further to the great mix.

It's fair to say that you don't take on a guest house if you don't like to chat, so on our recces we hear a few tales. Hosts are rarely short of banter for guests!

Coast to Coast - the full trek in two splendid weeks
Coast to Coast East - our week-long half