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 3

 Another dull and gloomy day today so we spent the morning enjoying a mooch around Whitby. In the afternoon we decided to drive out onto the moors to Goathland and walk down to Mallyan Spout in order to recreate a photograph that our father had taken of us 64 years ago. As we drove up onto the moors we went up into cloud and fog and prospects didn't look good. We pushed on however and things were not too bad at Goathland and we enjoyed pottering around and recreating family history.

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, December, Day 1

 We were packed and off early today, Mia having been delivered to the cattery yesterday. After recent wet weather the weather was gloomy and gradually became worse as we travelled north until over Roseday Moor past the Lion Inn and Ralph Crosses it was foggy and raining. We drove down off the moors through Castelton to Dany Lodge Moors Center where we were due to meet up with Peter and Linda, my brother and his wife. We had been delayed somewhat at Malton as the route was closed at the bridge over the Derwent because of floods. We diverted via Pickering to reach Kirkby moorside and when we crossed the river on the Pickering road we could see that the whole valley was completely flooded. 

It was good to catch up over a late lunch before looking around the exhibitions and then it was virtually dark when we set off above Eskdale to the youth hostel on East Cliff at Whitby. Quickly settled in, it was soon time for a preprandial snifter before heading down the steps for our evening meal at the Marine restaurant on the harbour side. A good start to the trip.

Whitby Youth Hostel. Decenber 2019 in better weather.

Reliving Childhood Memories in the Abbey

 We awoke to a beautiful morning today, Sadly though it was time to pack and head home.  Wild loading the car, though I snatched a few moments to photograph the full moon.  Although full daylight, the Cold Moon could be seen clearly in the sky to the north east.

Cars loaded and breakfast over it was time to bid farewell to Peter and Linda after a fabulous few days.  Having a shorter journey and, as usual, unable to drag ourselves away we decided on a quick visit to the abbey where I amused myself recreating some old family memories.

Eventually it was time for us too to head home, but not before a coffee in the Abbey Tea Rooms.

To view large, please click on an image.

I958, me on the right with Dad and Peter.

The 1958 me.