The PreChristmas Trip. 3rd - 6th December

 Tuesday 3rd

Up early today and Mia delivered to the cattery while I loaded the car. We were away on time at 10.00am, the journey went well and we met up with Peter and Linda at Boggle Hole at 12.30. It felt cold at 5C but it was pleasant and sunny. We were down on the beach by 1.00 but even so the tide was well in necessitating a paddle (and a wet foot as my wellies appear to have perished!!! :(  ) It was pleasant to sit on the beach for lunch of tomato soup with fu;l oil slick and Christmas cake. (We have found yet another piece of last years!!). We managed to get to Bay Town just ahead of the tide enjoying a festive hot chocolate in the old chapel. We had enjoyed lovely views of foraging turnstones on the beach and on the way back along the cliff top were lucky enough to have superb close views of a pair of barn owls hunting in the gathering dusk.

It was a quick drive to Whitby and our appartment on the Crescent up on West Cliff. Peter and I have very happy memories of our first stay here with mum and day 65 years ago. It was, of course beer o'clock while we relived some of the memories.

Wednesday 4th

We woke to a cold and clear morning after overnight rain. Breakfast over, we drove to Sandsend where we parked t our usual spot at Wits End. While Heather and Linda walk along the beach to the village, Peter and I tried yet again to get along the beach and around the headland to a prime folssiling location, normally reached by a very steep path and precipitous steps from the old railway line. We were optimistic today as it was at the bottom of a very low tide. Yet again, however, we were thwarted. Later we were told that it isn't possible. We were pleased to see some rock pipits and a fulmar, however.

Returning to the car park we started out along the old railway, part of the Cleveland Way, to mee H&L. On the way we chatted to some fossil hunters who had been down the steps. Once regrouped and back at the cars we continued to Staithes. Both here and at Sandsend there were a lot of expert looking surfers who said that conditions were perfect. I was certailny impressed watching them. Back in Whitby we wandered down into the town and reconvened at the excellent Black Horse in the old town. An fine hostelry and a fitting end to an excellent day.

                                       

Thursday 5th December

A lazy start for H and myself today and we wandered down into the town at 11.00 all meeting up at Hammonds Jewellers at the bottom of the Abbey Steps for lunch. Sadly there were no crab sandwiches.

During the drive over the moors to Danby Lodge Moors centre we were impressed by the sight of large flocks of lapwings wheeling over the fields. The Moors Centre, as awlays was interesting and on the way back we were delighted to have incredibly close views of a hunting barn owl that didn't seem pahsed by the car at all. Where is the big lens when it's needed.

Tea this evening was fish and chips at the Magpie. A smashing end to a great few days.

Whitby, December, Day 2

 Thyankfully we woke up today to sunny skies but with a very cold wind. We were up and breakfasted (relatively) early and away to Sandsend where we had an enjoyable time wandering along the beach and enjoying an outside coffee in the sun. It was then time to move on to Staithes for more pottering and photography. Peter and I enjoyed walking up along the route of the Cleveland Way for some shots down onto the town and harbour.

Whitby, Day 2. Sandsend Saunter and Storm Barra Battering

Our day began at 8.00 am with an unexpected but excellent full English; we had expected the dining room to be closed.  As Storm Barra was due to arrive in the afternoon, we set off for Sandsend early.  Although gloomy, we had an enjoyable morning fossicking and photographing on the beach before walking along the old railway line.  Peter and I then tackled the via ferrata route down the cliff to explore a fabulous bit of beach that we had not been to before.  The cliffs  here are constructed from contorted layers of shale often stained bright colours by mineral leaching. The area was littered with large, bright orange boulders of 'dogger sandstone'.  These boulders and the wave cut platform made for good photography.  As we arrived back at the cars, Barra arrived and day turned to night.  I was ready for my comforting mug of tomato soup.  The hoped for wet weather alternative of a visit to the museum came to nought as it was closed.  Time to return to the hostel for a cup of tea and a snooze before braving the elements to search of evening sustenance. 

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