We never use the A64 and associated roads when travelling between Selby and Whitby at Festival time.

Instead we go through the centre of York diverting off towards the Hospital (well signposted) and joining the B1363 as far as the ring road.

We turn right and then proceed via Strensall and northward on minor roads until we reach the A170 west of Pickering before turning north once more until reaching the A171 west of Whitby. After that it's take your choice - straight in or on to Sandsend depending where abouts we are staying.

This run takes about thirty minutes longer than a good run (not available Festival time) via the main roads and is a few miles further.

A huge bonus for us this year was the incredible colours over the moors - so vibrant. We have done the journey to Whitby hundreds of times and cannot remember seeing the heather looking so magnificent.

We returned by more or less the same route (one or two detours by choice)and arrived home relaxed; which was just as well as we had been burning the candle both ends and in the middle meeting up with old and not so old friends and imbibing the odd hoppy infusion.

We enjoyed all the events we attended and how lucky we all were with the weather!