When we moved on from Leeds we decided we would stay out of the city and so chose a lovely self-contained cottage on a farm. I was really taken with all the animals, and this alpaca was so friendly; it could not have come closer!
Once again we used our accommodation as a base and went off in all directions. First we went to the sea. We started in Scarborough and were quite surprised at how big it was. It is said to be the first resort town established in England, and we spent a couple of hours exploring and I was delighted to find this little funicular railway from the beach to the hotel above which would have transported all those Victorian holidaymakers up and down. It is still in operation, and although we took the stairs, I did enjoy seeing it. Apparently it was the first funicular railway in Great Britain and was originally powered by sea-water using a tanks under the cars as a counterweight system. When one car goes down, the other goes up, so these two had just passed each other when I took the photo.
It was a hazy day and the water was millpond calm, giving the beach a lovely feel.
Scarborough has a strong boating and fishing tradition, so the wharf area is rather lovely.
Along with the Victorian holidaymakers came the impressive Victorian hotels. This one is slightly tatty now, but from a distance it still looks extremely grand.
Mark made me perch on this sea wall and the drop on the other side was rather terrifying. I included the photo because it made me laugh and because it shows the absolute calm sea. It seems incredible to me that the sea can actually breach this sea wall, it must get wild here in the winter.
I took this photo to prove that Doctor Who was in town!
From Scarborough we continued around the coast to Robin Hood’s Bay.
I have to say that I was immediately put in mind of all those Famous Five books I read as a child. I don’t know why, but something resonated. Maybe the landscape? Perhaps the fact that I could see smugglers hiding in all those little coves and traversing the secret tunnels that apparently run under some of the little cottages.
Robin Hood’s Bay is really delightful with little alleys, quaint cottages and amazing tea shops, which drew Mark like a magnet! Yes, he’s checking out the cakes.
Continuing round the coast we arrived in Whitby, which is a fishing port and a traditional seaside resort. Now the one thing I remember about Whitby from when I was a kid holidaying with my parents is the fish and chips and we had a recommendation for the best fish and chips from a woman in Robin Hood’s Bay.
Fish and chips were duly purchased and consumed by the water. When Mark took the scraps to the bin he was attacked by the seagulls. I’m happy to report that he beat them off and they didn’t get a thing – although Mark did get a little nip on the finger, but it didn’t break the skin so all was well.
The town has managed to retain much of its charm and 18th century character, and it has lots of alleys and narrow streets.
Looking across the river to the top of the hill are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, which must have been very beautiful once.
Whitby was also home to Captain James Cook and this memorial has plaques donated by Australia, New Zealand and Canada, attesting to his seamanship and exploration skills.
I hadn’t realised that Bram Stoker wrote Dracula whilst holidaying in Whitby, and there are plenty of establishments cashing in on the nostalgia!
As we turned our heads for home we passed through Goathland, which has a starring role in Harry Potter as the Hogsmeade train station, although I’m sure they found better angles for the films.
I was delighted to see (and hear) a passing steam engine.
Goathland also stars as the village Aidensfield in the British TV series “Heartbeat”, which I noticed is still on TV here. I think every British series ever made is still on TV here!
As mentioned at the beginning of the post we stayed on a farm, which was very close to a town called Pickering. I was delighted to see horse drawn transport still being used here!
A quick note about what I wore: jeans from a pattern made for me by Workspace Fashion and Design School, a self drafted merino top, Paper Theory LB Pullover, raincoat drafted for me by Workspace Fashion and Design school, and rainhat from Angel Lea Escape Men’s hat pattern. All hidden clothing was made by me too!