A Day in Van Life on the North East Coast

[@ShelleyBentley-j7v]

Thanks James, great vlog,stunning views, love the east coast, I could watch waves all day 😊,hope you had a good time with your daughter 😀 yes love Bridlington ❤

[@cassyburton6813]

I visited Saltburn for the first time today loved it, then I watched this vlog not knowing where you were visiting, but bi-heck you need good calf -muscles to get up that snakey road from the beach to town. I used the loo in the Spa Hotel and it is nice in there. I started collecting sea glass years ago but it comes with its own hazards, you get addicted to looking at sand for it and end up getting a cricked neck ha, enjoy your travels!😊👍🏼

[@bythecurb]

Glad you liked Saltburn, it's lovely

[@kittyatkinson2129]

Really like Helen, she adds a certain beat to your vlogs, but ones like this, that you do on your own are priceless, a different beat and beautifully shot and narrated. You are perfecting your craft 😊

[@bythecurb]

Thank you :-)

[@cassyburton6813]

Yes, your camera work is crisp and has a nice colour tone to it!​@@bythecurb

[@TimBray-bh8ib]

Do what you feel like, we love your video's xx

[@grahamfaulder5131]

You walked straight past Tommy’s statue at Seaham.

[@geoffreycodling8071]

Runswick Bay is a nice little place to wonder about but keep it quiet.

[@garyhillman4993]

St Anne’s is lovely James. I go in the camper. It’s free to sleep on the coast road nice pubs beach n pier and Lytham a mile up road

[@hitfrombehind]

Loved the Katie Melua track - I appreciate the music you find for your edits. Really enjoyed this one James - beautiful. Thank you so much 🙏🏾 🫂

[@johnwelsh8737]

Great video James, never been to Robin Hoods Bay. It looks lovely. Thank you John

[@lizzegerius9642]

You really don't realize how important your vlogs are. I am 60 born and raised in Barnsley. I have lived in Europe for the last 25 years. I miss Yorkshire and the Derbyshire peak district. Also snowdonia. I was a keen hiker. And rode my horses all over the countryside. You bring me so much pleasure.. hearing your accent. And seeing the places u visit in the words of a Barnsley lad. Loved the ghost vlog by the stocks bridge bypass. I kept my horses not far from there. If u want ufo sightings. Go to crowedge opposite the entrance of Hepworth pipes they are seen above the slag heaps of big whitley behind the pub. Quite often. I am full of useless info on forgotten history.. I can tell u some stories . Let me know if u need suggestions. ❤❤❤❤❤ And hugs from the volcanic region of Germany

[@bythecurb]

Thank you so much, that means a lot :-)

[@susanaldham2764]

You two feel like old friends. I feel as if I have known you for years. Good luck in all your travels.

[@nicolatowers7571]

Love u getting cozy 😊what I love to see in van life

[@fidgetspinner343]

That documentary on Steven Clarke who vanished at Saltburn is a interesting documentary to watch in the van one night, both a weird and fascinating story.

[@christoguichard4311]

James...great to have you back to your sour old Yorkshireman self! A bit..."lost"...and "at a loose end". (...cos I'm one too! 😂) Helen makes you far too happy 🤣 I'm going to give up a little secret here...😉 I am doing this because I no longer live in the area (south Essex), and I like to... "Share the love". 😊 I have beachcombed all over Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, and without a doubt, THE BEST BEACH I have ever come across for finding "treasure" and other "stuff" is... "Bottle Beach" at Tilbury, in Essex. I can no longer get there due to both moving down to the Kent coast, but also the fact that I have had three knee replacements (go on...say it...😆), and just cannot "do" the long walk and back to the beach anymore, or the terrain climbing down to it from the upper footpath. The last time I went to Bottle Beach was about 3 years ago, and I know that the killjoys at Thurrock Council had tried to put a stop to professional bottle-digging there (explanation coming...), by filling in many of the large craters that the bottle diggers had made over the years, and by fencing-off some of the land adjacent to the beach, but beachcombers are still able to access the beach by climbing down the bank last time i enquired. The REASON that this particular beach is such an incredible treasure-trove of "stuff" for the inquisitive searcher, is intriguing. Firstly, the whole of the north Essex shoreline of the Thames, from Barking, right down to Shoeburyness, has historically, been the dumping ground for London's domestic waste. In fact, not only is this still going on today between Mucking and Coryton, but my own grandad worked on the tugs which pulled the barges full of "stuff" (everything from Airfix kits from the Airfix factory, to old used bottles, pots and pans, and crockery, to just domestic waste), for over 50 years, up until the 1970's. When I was a kid he used to regularly turn up at our house with sack loads of Airfix kits for me. It was like Chrimbo every week! 😁 The Airfix factory in London used to just chuck out as "waste", any kit or collection that was even slightly faulty. So this might mean...a wheel or prop missing from an aeroplane, or...a tank with a dodgy track. So, as an 8 year old boy... I got THEM ALL! 😁 Likewise, during the war, until he was called up (my grandad fought in North Africa, landed on D-Day, fought his way up through France and Germany, capturing many Nazi's as he went, and finally was part of the liberation force that went into Belsen concentration camp, and I will never forget what he told me about what he saw there), my mum, as one of four siblings, living right on the waters-edge of the south side of the Thames, said that unlike many other families during the war, they never went hungry because she would come down to breakfast in the morning, and most mornings there would be a sack of oranges, a side of ham, or half a cow, resting in the hallway! 😉 Anyhoo... Back to Tilbury. "Bottle Beach", CAN be reached by walking from the site of the old power station at Tilbury...eastwards (you can cross on the ferry from Gravesend if you live in Kent), but a better way to go is to park up at COALHOUSE FORT in the pleasant little historic village of East Tilbury, then taking the path down to where the faux WWII "watertower" (actually a radar tower I believe) by the rivers edge, and then walking for about a mile westwards. Coalhouse Fort is a lovely place for a summer sunday afternoon visit, with a kids swing park, cafe, toilets, and the fort itself, which dates from the the early 1800's and has a large moat around it, with Thameside river walks. Once you have walked from the Coalhouse Fort car park, down the path which leads to the Thames (the Thames starts to become "estuary" here, and widens considerably), the first beach that you come to, you will find littered with millions (literally) of tons of glass shards, and pottery sherds, and this is an excellent beach to comb. But... Walk about another half a mile further on along the "top" path, and you will come to the main "Bottle Beach", which can be an absolute treasure trove of "stuff", dating from the 19th century right up until the 1970's. There was a time, about ten years ago, when I would go down there with a trolley and just fill it up with incredible stuff. Codd bottles...pieces of Doulton...Victorian false teeth....19thc wine bottles...stoneware flasks...19th century pottery and porcelain, and so much more. It was like the best "Free Shop" in town! 😁 This is all because backing onto the rivers edge is an absolutely VAST landfill/waste site, where stuff has been dumped by the London barges for the best part of 150 years...and slowly, this stuff is falling back into the river, as the bank (which is 20 foot high in places), crumbles away. I am aware that steps have been taken by the killjoy council to stop all of this beachcombing/treasure-hunting fun, as I have already mentioned, but it is definitely still worth going down there if you are able to. This is a rather "secret" little place (though the beach itself is large, long, and sandy in most parts), and is generally only known by the bottle-digging community, and I may be completely ruining it by telling everyone on a forum like this, but please be aware, that although it is a beautiful walk alongside the river to reach Bottle beach in the summer, it CAN be very arduous and hard-going in the winter. It is also quite isolated, so don't go alone if you can help it. Also, go well-prepared! 😊 That means...strong soled boots or shoes, which glass shards cannot penetrate, a good strong bag or bags in which to put your "finds", and a long stick with which to scrape the surface. I found that a thinish, but sturdy, walking stick works well, and can also be used to steady yourself when walking over some of the rocks, rough ground, and steep grass banks. Also... When walking over the grassed banks at the top of the bank, where the footpath is, be very wary of large holes and craters which the professional bottle-diggers have dug over the past 40 years. Some of them were up to 20ft deep, and although the council filled-in many of them a few years back, there are still some there. So...be safe, and have fun, if you go to Bottle Beach. It truly IS...and incredible (and rather ethereally beautiful in the fading winter sunlight) place. And lastly... Please do NOT take any dogs. 🐕 There's is just too much broken glass about. 😢 Apart from that...HAVE FUN! 😊

[@bythecurb]

Wow Chris, thank you so much for your very informative message. I would absolutely love to go treasure hunting. Helen x

[@Cosmicreepers13]

Ravenscare is one of my favourites. Raven hall hotel is like folty towers. It’s lovely. You can park up and walk the grounds. Views stunning. Walk across golf course to national trust land. See the seals. Walk to robin hoods bay. I just love it. Just sitting on the cliffs edge. One for you and Helen maybe. In summer we get a drink outside the hotel in the grounds it’s so lovely.

[@theabandonedhunter3604]

I went up to Whitby for my birthday 4 or 5 years ago, I loved it but I loved Robin Hoods bay more so! What a gem that place is!! So quirky and just such a lovely vibe, I truly relaxed me as I’m not a people person even though my job would state differently! Great to see the place again mate, top video mate ….Smithy

[@bythecurb]

Thanks Smithy

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

Great Vlog James...For me, the icing on the cake was Wonderful Life by Katie Melua; Great choice 👍

[@user-whu]

Always enjoy your vlogs, our cities are no good today, but your videos prove how the majority of this island is still beautiful, cheers James

[@bythecurb]

Thank you 🙂❤

[@mwarufoka]

Absolutely LOVED that. If that is "a mishmash", I'lll have some more please! That shot of walking up the pier and turning back to the lights, with that music was ABSOLUTELY MAGIC. I know exactly where my first trip will be once my camper is complete. James, there is levels to videography, thanks for taking us with you to these new heights. Hats off to you sir!!

[@bythecurb]

Thank you so much 🙂❤

[@sueterry7300]

That was smashing 👍🏼xx The view bk to shore from the pier was Picture postcard perfect 🫶🏻x Love robin hoods bay. Looked so calm and laid bk. Great music to accompany your vlog too. Thanku Just perfect. Never overthink your art we luv it all. 🖼xx

[@frankhornby6873]

I could sit in a deckchair on Blast Beach, and just watch, and listen to that water rolling in and out ....for hours. I love it ...thanks James..👍🏻

[@bythecurb]

Thank you, it was lovely

[@sandyc5331]

Come to Sunderland James. Roker marina and Beach . Seaburn Beach . Whitburn beach along the coastal path to Marsden and South Shields. Absolutely beautiful coastline. Bring Helen to cause you can get a good pint or two !!❤

[@paulinesw2514]

Definitely. They would love the Grotto 😉

[@michelledigweed178]

Yes Marsden Grotto fabulous place went there because of Vera!

[@dubdaz1]

Enjoyed this, music was matched perfectly to what you filmed 👍🏻

[@bythecurb]

Thank you :-)

[@kennybrydges9084]

Great town to visit James.. its the end of Wainwrights C2C walk.. nice one 👍🙏

[@tracybush8115]

I really enjoyed seeing the seaside villages and the painting is delightful.

[@anneyoung514]

Yeah Hartlepool got a mention , my home town although I was born in Northallerton 😊

[@barrywhite5622]

As a lorry driver travelling all over the UK I always see signs for places that I want to see but can't. Plan for retirement is to go visit them all. A tip for you.... Baby wipes... Absolute life saver for a truckers emergency wash. Can even warm them up for extra luxury and put them in the fridge for the summer.

[@bythecurb]

I swear by baby wipes, buy them in bulk. Thanks for the tip to warm them up though and put them in the fridge. Thats a genius idea

[@v.rudeboy9829]

you can get 'em the size of tea towels now.. xx.

[@gazellis1961]

Mish Mash my arse cracking video as alwaysJames.Not only showing beautiful villages beaches shops piers ect ect , your editing skills are going through the roof... really good 😁😉

[@bythecurb]

Thank you ❤🙂

[@joebarford272]

Good to see you in Seaham James just a pity it was such a cold grim day take care and keep doing what you do ! Joe 👍

[@bobtarran7587]

Next time you go to Robin hoods bay walk up past fishshop the one at the bottom of hill there's a nice walk up through woods.its not as steep as up hill you'll come out onto old railway line turn right and you'll come out at church in village.

[@Teslaharmonic]

IDEA... STOP OFF AT NAFFERTON ..(beautiful village)..good chippy.... also St Martins church in Lowthorpe (templar relics).. .these are both 10 muns from... also the 158 squadron memorial at Lisset (10 mins away also)Bridlington

[@hippo5346]

Thanks for sharing , James . You always inspire me to get out and explore the great outdoors . The East coast is fantastic .

[@AnthonyValentine-vm1yc]

Well done the councils of these places. They have made a real good job of smartening these places up.

[@robertthrossell4321]

Wow that's brilliant Blast Beach, I loved it there especially as I'm a huge Alien 3 fan... Cheers James..

[@PaulM_aka_4c21]

In Seaham, you were just a few miles away from Marsden Bay, South Shields to see Marsden Rock and the Pub/Hotel built into the caves at the bottom of the cliffs. Nice video.

[@shirleymclean5895]

Great to see all these different locations! Great advert for the Great British holiday! Love the music!

[@johnconnick3796]

Thank you James, its given me some good ideas of places to visit , when the rain buggers off 👍😀

[@hayleypreston2792]

Loved seeing saltburn, it's my happy place. Hope you're still thinking about coming to the Ribble valley at some point though 😊

[@vwt4jase412]

My favorite place in the world rhb thanks for taking us along👍

[@michaelholt7963]

Runswick Bay is gorgeous, that's very close to Saltburn by the sea

[@Subbreed]

You need to go to the 'Back Alex' in Saltburn. That pub is 100% up your street!

[@michelledigweed178]

Wow! I didn't know that about Alien 3! We off to Blast Beach! Fab video. Both me and hubby love your videos best on KZbin.

[@lynnettemcausland9532]

Wow, those sea views 😍 I adore big seas, they calm my spirits. Never been to any of those places, would love to visit one day. Really enjoyed this ❤

[@djwebby06]

That song at the end of the video, one of my favourite ever songs originally by Black (Colin Vearncombe rest his soul), and a pretty decent cover of it. Great video as always mate.

[@nataliesmith303]

Free parking is always a bonus. I would enjoy your time with your daughter. Don’t worry about filming in the school holidays 😊

[@simon-zh3qb]

Yeah Robin hood's bay is a very special place,have a lot of memories from childhood holiday's there😌

[@judywarner539]

Lovely to see you go to Seaham. I walk on the Durham coastal path regularly & its history from mining heritage to nature reserve is amazing. Unfortunately those car parks are no longer free but still worth visiting. Noses Point is such a great spot 😊

[@southsideboxing]

That looks like a lovely place.

[@TimK2646]

Nice one James. Good background music. Another great tour again

[@davidayres7973]

Love seeing the east coast. Whitby, Scarborough, Cayton, filey. Its like a second home for me and my partner. Watching this just made me a bit homesick. Which is daft because I'm born and bred in Sheffield 😂

[@jamesgregory4747]

Love robin hoods bay , used to loads as a kid

[@Amiguru]

I haven't been to Robin Hood's Bay since about 1960. We stayed at 'The Blue Robin' at the start of the walk across the Yorkshire Moors I seem to recall. Lovely memories of my Aunt and Uncle. 🥸

[@ColinOBear]

Another bit of the island ive not seen before. Blast Beach looked worth the trip - though I didn't have to walk it! Thanks for taking. Us on these journeys with you. I especially like these positive vlogs ❤

[@gary6579]

That road you are on (spa hotel) There is a video when it was all of snow. people in cars struggling together up the hill, but a bus does it in one hit lol....

[@valeriebaxter2354]

What about Bridport, Lyme Regis, West Bay, Weymouth and Poundbury all in Dorset?? 😎

[@bca2349]

Another cracking video! What a lovely place.

[@Remonyyork]

Superb vlog, James. I enjoy seeing the reality of van life such as the tart’s wash 😂. I really like how you say “we’ll do this” or “we’ll go there” as though you’re taking us along for the journey. It’s a really nice touch. Can we take a moment to acknowledge the coal man in Robin Hood’s Bay. Like stepping back in time!

[@bythecurb]

Thank you, you don't see the coal men much these days

[@Lonewolf__666]

Do tarts wash ? Or just get on the next one.

[@dollydimple-ek3ex]

I remember me mum&dad,having a coal man,when I was a little girl growing up...we had a coal fire used to love seeing my dad making it&me mum sometimes..I used to av a go aswell&the others in fam....brilliant days❤

[@600barrel]

Can't believe you walked past Tommy (the statue) as though it wasn't there. This statue is one of the most emotional tributes to those that fought and gave their lives in WW1.

[@bythecurb]

I made a whole community post about it a couple of hours before the video

[@600barrel]

@@bythecurb Then I wish you had mentioned that in this one as without knowing that it looks like you've bypassed it, hence my original comment. Anyway I'll look forward to seeing the other video.🙂

[@shirleymccluskey1164]

My sister Wendy collects sea glass she makes pictures with it and made a sea glass Christmas tree with lights inside, everytime we go to the beach we all collect it, doggy bags are great to put it in xxx

[@thelmabrindley2369]

Great vlog. Some lovely accompanying music too. Loved the shot from the pier looking back at the bay, superb footage.

[@carolewinskill2738]

Beautiful place you make it so interesting. Enjoy time with your daughter .Thank you for these lovely videos .

[@chrisgavin342]

Oh, that gave me great memories from 1986 when i as a Army Cadet completed the Coast to Coast walk. 192 miles , think it was. We finished in St Bee's head. Never did i imagine how it would shape my future.

[@paulbooth1373]

A beautiful piece of filming, James. Especially Robin Hood's Bay with the "wonderful life" soundtrack. Well done, mate.

[@craigyb71]

Such an awesome version of wonderful life…big Katie melua fan

[@michaelgriffith381]

I live near seaham it’s a lovely place and “Tommy” which you walked past but never mentioned is one of many sculptures there x

[@kujouk]

A coalman!!!!!! I haven't seen one of them for years. Great video and great places.

[@matthewvaughan6327]

I’ve just got back from Saltburn. It’s a shame the water powered cliff lift isn’t running, but it’s lovely on the seafront.

[@NANov5]

Not free now james , not many people visiting now , shops closing left right & centre , further along theres a easy way down nd thats were the glass is ❤❤❤

[@gogsalba4573]

Used to take my lad down beach 30 odd years ago and build stuff with the clay from the cliffs.. always got manky , gid memories... 😊

[@AndrewSmith-el5fs]

Enjoyed the gentle pace of this one James, some lovely music in there too.

[@anthonydevono8833]

Looks good place to visit probably better when sun is out!

[@StephenHall-u4b]

Another great blog James, don’t change owt, it’s a fantastic area, enjoy..

[@JimLatimer]

Grate video again James we go to Seaham for a walk

[@judithjackson2434]

Love this pace its perfect

[@becwirdnam4956]

Do whatever makes you happy. We lap up whatever you do.

[@lucygale336]

Liked this thanks just catching up as was away and had no signal where I was

[@grahamatkinson9395]

Hi James so nice to see back at saltburn by sea again.i remember your first visit and you had a cup of tea in are motorhome.we had great chat with you and some advice on places to visit like Ludlow .if you're ever over in my part of the world NR clitheroe they is lot see and film be nice to have a catch up and drink with yourself and Helen .take care graham and amanda

[@lindakearns3565]

Amazing video James looks gorgeous there need to go to see for ourselves xxxxx❤❤

[@IanLewisCymru]

Lovely - thank-you.

[@thehappywanderer6469]

Loved the stroll through narrow streets. Laughed at Blast Beach escapade. Beautiful art pop up. These are the places of my ancestors. Wish my Mother had never emigrated to Canada in the 50's. I lost all this beauty in my life. Through you I get it back. Things we would have done and laughed at just like you do. Thank you James❤

[@nicolatowers7571]

Embrace the beauty we do not have here. The World is beautiful xxx

[@peterdawson5115]

Beautiful coastline, great vid as usual 👍

[@stephenwood9104]

Fantastic video James, love the coastline that you captured so well, as always thanks for sharing

[@T3RRAFORM]

Since finding your channel around a month ago, I’ve found it a very good resource for pre scouting some of the beaches that are a short drive for me. I live on the coast in Northumberland. I always seem to head north but you’ve shown me some places like in this video and some from North Yorkshire that I must go to. I’m into photography and think I’ve jotted down around 5 or 6 places that you’ve put me onto. So thanks for what you do.

[@bythecurb]

You're welcome :-)

[@heywood554]

Loved Robin Hood Bay it was the final stage of the coast to coast last year 😊

[@heatherread5314]

Agree robin hoods Bay is a very special place. Thanks for taking me along 😊

[@paf1966]

That’s definitely made my mind up to visit that area, beautiful places James. The content and music you use really works well. Enjoying equally the James alone and James/Helen content. Great watch, especially after finishing a 12 hour shift.

[@martinleak7813]

Great film quality James!

[@bridiewright1519]

Wow that beach at night looked so pretty, evening James and Helen if you're watching 😊

[@bythecurb]

Hello :-)

[@ClaytonCOUK]

You must visit with Helen, KazKane in Skinningrove, Best Parmo locally, Tiger Inn pub in Easington is nice and for somewhere little posh try Jack and Jills not far from Guisborough

[@elizabethdunn2992]

Fab video James. Enjoy your time with your little girl ❤

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

Loved this video James! Just my barra!

[@deedahinkent]

Brilliant again mate ! your visual scene shots are getting REALLY good keeping it real as always 😊👍

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Really enjoyed Robin Hood's Bay. You've saved us a trip again. Excellent 👍😀.

[@lcfcgrayforeverafox3603]

Another great video and i remember the band black who originally had the hit its a wonderful wonderful life looks very peaceful there

[@lindakearns3565]

Robin Hood bay is so gorgeous xxxxx❤❤

[@adrianmcgowan2950]

Glad to see you back in my neck of the woods mate, County Durham is a great place to live, oh and like i always say , class as per

[@bythecurb]

Thanks mate

[@graceedithdoyle]

Loved your video James never been Robinhood bay. Looks lovely. Please do one in Bridlington please x

[@sandyc5331]

You just walked straight past the brilliant statue of Tommy, the 1st World War Soldier, at Seaham. He's definitely worth a closer look James !!

[@obiblooze5902]

I thought the same, would have liked a closer look

[@bythecurb]

I know. I put a community post about it earlier today because I took some lovely footage of it and accidentally deleted it from the vlog!!

[@daviddack1930]

I was just about to say the same . . . . Shame Helen wasn't there. Mind you, she'd still be there reading about the bloody thing

[@sandyc5331]

​@@bythecurb Aaahhh what a shame

[@Paul_owie]

I wondered who that was and I was surprised he walked past it. Let you off this time, 😉👍

[@sammymoore2430]

So glad you came here. As you know I'm from sheffield born and bread but lived in seaham 10 years buzzing. So happy 😊 watch every video but dont always comment

[@bythecurb]

Thank you for commenting. I like reading them :-)

[@smallam49]

We have a pot full of sea glass....we used to walk Seaham beach for pleasure. But that was 60+ years ago......

[@blakey5993]

Another enjoyable vlog James. Always wanted to get up to Robin Hoods Bay and the local areas , I haven't yet managed it so your lookk round really went down well 👍👍

[@wladniem]

thanks james for takng me away from all the rubbish on youtube

[@craigjones5207]

Seaham is fantastic 👏 thanks and Tommy is the best