Nostalgic Whitby

When I was a child and we went back to visit my grandparents in Yorkshire, we always took them for a day out in Whitby and it is one of my very favourite places.  Whitby often featured on the Yorkshire based TV show, 'Heartbeat' and whenever it did, I would break out into a sort of nostalgic heartache. Stands to reason then that I would want to visit while in Yorkshire.

Victorian Era station in York

Red and I caught the first train out of York Station to Whitby and even though it is not a great distance, it took us a full 4 hours to get there on a very old, noisy diesel train but with so much beautiful scenery it was no great hardship.  Getting into Whitby station at midday meant we had 4 hours to explore before we had to catch the last train back.

Viaduct spotted a little way outside of Whitby

Fortunately, the station in Whitby is centrally located and so it was just a short walk to the very busy thouroughfare were all the restaurants, cafes and shops are located. Whitby is an extremely popular destination for day trippers so there was a queue at most of the better places to get a good fish and chip lunch.

Since I was reliving my childhood on this trip, it had to be Plaice and chips, Yorkshire style, of course. That means served with mushy peas, bread and butter on the side and a hot cup of tea.

With lunch over, it was time to walk off all those calories so up the hill to visit the Whitby Abbey.  I have of course seen the Abbey from a distance...it is hard to miss as it looms over the town but as the grandies were quite old, we never went up there on our visits.

The Abbey is of course in ruins and has been that way since the times of  King Henry VIII when he ordered the Dissolution of Catholic Monesteries and Abbeys. It is a spectacular place and I think this is where Red finally fell in love with Yorkshire.

The views up here were lovely looking down onto the town and the harbour with the moors in the background.

 and from the other side looking out over the bay. The church of St. Mary's is in the foreground situated just before you get to the abbey. Quite a spot to rest your bones!

Coming back down the approximately 200 steps into the town we still had time to wander the streets and make some souvenir purchases for family back home......and myself.

reminders of childhood visits to the seaside

of course a trip to the seaside wouldn't be official if you didn't come home with some 'rock'

 While walking down one of these streets I came across a shop that sold trinkets made out of locally mined Jet. There are a few of these shops around but this one had something other than pendants and earrings. Little carved animals.  When I set my eyes upon this hedgehog it was love at first sight.  He is really tiny and the base just fits on my thumbnail. I think I did the right thing bringing him home with me.

And there was still more to see so I have popped some of them into a collage for you.
From left to right:

• One of the enormous seagulls that inhabit the town.....could possibly feed a family of six!
• a fishing boat anchored in the harbour
• a pile of fishing baskets stacked on the harbour
• this whalebone archway has been here ever since I can remember although I don't think this is the original as there is a plaque to say these were donated by the Alaskan Inuits in 2001
• Whitby's most famous resident, Captain Cook whose monument definitely finds no respect from the seagull population.

And before we make our way back to the station for the 4pm train back to York, a quick snap of the harbour entrance and the beach below the cliff.

the Fat Controller showing us the way to the Tea Room

Back at the station and we found that all that exploring had made us very thirsty so with about 20 minutes to spare we called in at the station tea room  and I had one of my very favourite Yorkshire treats......a Dandelion and Burdock soft drink.  There is nothing else quite like it and I love it.

And that was our trip to Whitby.......I am longing to be there again even as I write this post. Yorkshire is forever in my blood.

And on the Homefront, I have got one of my presents ready for the Xmas Swap.  My poor partner must be wondering if I have forgotten her but no, yesterday I put together something which I hope she will love just as much as I do.  No sewing involved! ?????? what could it be??????