Fleur rafted in Whitby.
As soon as we arrived in Whitby we went in search of Fish and Chips. The places we had been recommended were not open, so we decided to try The Magpie, as neither of us had been before.
It is the most famous café in town, so we had to try it. As it was a Wednesday evening we did not have to queue and were taken to an upstairs table with a view of the Abbey and the waterfront. There had been a fire here in 2017, and it has been updated beautifully. We were advised by a fellow dinner to go for the small cod. Excellent choice, tea, bread and butter, peas and a small jug of curry sauce for dipping. Champion.
16th May - Thursday
One of Mick's oldest friends Dave, took him in the car to get diesel, while I did the washing. Bargain £2 Wash, £1 Dry.
In the afternoon Dave and Tracy took us in the car to Runswick Bay, which is made up of a delightful cluster of cottages, clinging to the cliffside. We had a great late lunch in the Royal and then drove back to their house for a brew.
18th May - Saturday - Fish and Sail Festival
Following the success of the 250 year Captain Cook anniversary the town continued the festivities with the Fish and Sail Festival. We do like to stumble on an event.
First stop was the 'Parkol' shipyard where fishing trawlers are built to service the local fleet and beyond. We were lucky to get a hard hat tour up the scaffolding which surrounds the boats-in-progress.
At ground level in the work shed.
The length of the boat from the stern at the top of the scaffold.
Finished articles on a Misty Day.
The pieces of metal are laser cut at another site and they are welded together here, by the largely Romanian workforce.
There were shanty singers and groups of musicians in Marquees. Chef demos by Brian Turner, Jean Christof Novelli and others. Demonstrations from the fishermen cooking and making nets and lobster pots. Lots of stalls and street entertainers.
These two characters must have walked miles in the weekend.
We then went for a break to the recommended 'Rusty Shears' café in a courtyard on Silver St. Well worth finding. Banoffee Pie for me, Carrot Cake for Mick.
Re-fueled, we then went for at look on the fisheries patrol vessel. IFCA Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority.
19th May - Sunday
Our friends Mark and Joy brought their mum's Micki and Eileen for lunch. We all went to the 'Fisherman's Wife' café on the seafront, which has fantastic views. The fish and chips were pretty good too. Lovely to see them all.
20th May - Monday
Dave and Tracy kindly collected us again for Brunch. We went to 'The Cycle Hub'. A purpose built cycle café, bunk house and shop in spectacular scenery in the appropriately named 'Fryupdale', I kid you not.
The café was busy even for a Monday lunchtime. We had big breakfasts with homemade Hash Browns.
We then had a drive around. This is the view from the Bank Top Ironworks. Then onto Hutton-le-Hole, a truly beautiful un-spoilt village. Then to Grosmont, near their home. If any of you are watching the Yorkshire Railway programme on Channel 5 on Fridays at the moment, you will know what's coming.
Yes, Steam Trains. We went everywhere, the Platform to watch the shunting, The Engine Sheds, Workshops, Coal Hoppers and Water Bowser. They only ask for donations. It is a brilliant place to explore.
We then went for a cuppa at the Hazelwood Café, and saw this sign from the Tour de Yorkshire, which passes through these parts.
Another truly Grand Day out, thanks to Dave and Tracy.
21st May - Tuesday
We have been to Whitby numerous times in the past but we were generally here for a quick weekend and/or a sailing event, so it is great to do the tourist thing and just enjoy it.
So obviously we had to walk up the 199 Abbey Steps.
199 Steps
St Mary's church is fascinating and has some unusual features and artefacts.
Whitby Abbey in all it's splendour on a blue sky day. It is now £9.80 to enter, we didn't.
A blackcurrant and liquorice Ice Cream each at the bottom seemed a better option. We wandered around the crooked streets and checked out the harbour-side.
Dave popped by in the afternoon and he and Mick went mooching in man shops.
We had a great stay in Whitby, made better by seeing friends. It is a cracking place and I would go as far as to say. If you don't like Whitby, It's You.
Sailors Port Info
The bridge opens 2 hours either side of high water. There is a visitors pontoon on the left before the bridge, which has very small signage! Be prepared to raft up as it gets busy. The facilities were updated several years ago and are still in good condition. Sadly the plug socket is in the hall way, a long way from the mirrors. Wifi poor. Washing and Drying facilities however were excellent £2 Wash £1 Dry. £27 per night. Very congenial and helpful staff in the office and on the bridge.
22nd May - Wednesday - Whitby to Hartlepool
We caught the last bridge out of Whitby at 08.30am. The day was sunny, with a chill Northerly wind on the nose, gusting to 20 knots, not as forecast. The sea state was slight to moderate, so we had a pleasant enough trip arriving at 14.30. The Hartlepool windfarm has only 27 windmills and past relatively quickly. Hartlepool opens the lock 4 hours before and after high water. We arrived 4 hours before high water and tested our lifting keel depth limit, we eased in with half a metre clear under us.
We past the next two days washing, washing the boat, acquiring diesel and going to see Rocketman at the cinema. We loved it.
We took a nostalgic trip to the Christchurch, church, which is an Art Gallery and Café. We saw so many good exhibitions here when we used to keep the boat in Hartlepool. It is just as good as we remember.
There was also a fascinating and current display of plastics collected from a local beach by a local artist. So interesting to see the detritus of our lives on display in such a stark manner. Many fishing items, daily items and children's multi-coloured plastics.
25th May - Saturday
We met up with Andy and Claire who we have not seen since we left Hartlepool 10 years ago. The first two hours flashed by and we continued over a curry at our old favourite 'Poppadoms' on the marina. They have had a great time with their boat, then their campervan. It is great to meet up with such like-minded people and we really look forward to hearing about their ongoing adventures. Thanks for a great night.
26th May - Sunday
Again for old times sake we went for Sunday Lunch at Tees and Hartlepool Yacht club. The portions are still good and the prices reasonable. It is open to non-memebers too. The club looks exactly the same, with the same great views. The fleeces we bought 10 years ago are still going strong and have clocked about 7,000 nautical miles so far.
We look forward to returning again and again.
Sailors Port Info
The harbour staff are very friendly as is everyone else in Hartlepool. Free wifi, if you don't mind sitting in the office! Good 4G signal though. Facilities are good. Hairdryers available. £27 per night. Asda at the other side of the marina. Vue cinema also nearby. 15 minute walk into town. Many restaurants and bars around the marina.
I wish you'd stop talking about food. Lol.
ReplyDeleteTides????? I think I remember them.
ReplyDelete