Kerry drive the Citroen today just in case I was still over the limit. Well, it's been a while since Scotty and I had caught up so we gave it just a little nudge last night. Once she got used to the clutch she did very well getting us out of the city and back into the M6 with no problems. We scooted down the M6 turning off just near Penrith and swung onto the A66 across the Yorkshire Dales. Just before midday we stopped at a large bar/restaurant/pub recently renovated for a coffee and a breather for Kerry. The waitress there was the polar opposite to yesterday's “sweetheart”:.She was a lovely English girl who was only too happy to look after us. She even had one of my favorite Neil Young tracks playing when we walked in! At Scotch Corner we joined the A1 briefly and then continued pn past Darlington and Middlesbrough.
Our objective was to reach Whitby on the coast early enough to get a good room. Whitby is famous as a fishing and trading port. It is also the home town of a chap called James Cook – you may have heard of him. I believe he's also got a house in Fitzroy Gardens.
Not far from Whitby we were diverted by a road-block on the A171. We ducked down to the coast at Loftus and, as luck would have it, actually came into Whitby along the scenic coast route. Still don't know why the road was blocked.
Whitby is a lovely town, surprisingly large but not overly so, It sits partly atop a majestic line of cliffs to the north dropping sharply to the inlet below. The far side rises just a sharply through a less populated part of town up to an old decaying abbey that sits on the cliff-top to the south. Both sides of the steep-sided inlet have the narrow streets, lanes and houses from the time when Capt. Cook was but a cabin-boy. Up on the less steep parts sits row upon row of three-story terrace houses providing B&B accommodation. Over on the cliff-top promenade to the east are the sea-side houses and hotels. We found a very nice place called Rosslyn Guest House a couple of blocks back from the promenade.and booked in for our last two nights.
The sun was shining and bathed the port and the houses across the port in a beautiful warm glow, We strolled up the port past many hotel, restaurants bars and three huge amusement parlours. Chaps were on the dock selling 25 minute cruises out the harbour and into the open sea. The going rate was just three pounds. Some were restored life boats, some were old fishing boats and one was even a half-size replica of the Endeavour. I don't think Cook's boat had a diesel motor like the replica we saw today, but I could be wrong.
The wharf was lined with vessels of all shapes and sizes making for a very colourful sight. Kids were lined up along one part with stick and string and meat and net trying to catch Whitby crabs. They are a local staple and seem to be pretty easy to catch. We walked out to the end of the long jetty to watch some boats come and go. Speaking of which, the single bridge linking the two sides if the harbour is very low and most boats cannot get under it. Unlike most other bridges in this situation which lift up this one swivels on a huge gear. Fascinating to watch.
We stopped at a pub called The Ship for a drink as beer o'clock was rapidly approaching. Kerry got talking to an elderly couple from Manchester way. Who had relatives in Australia. Nearby was a little cafe that served proper, simple food which suited us down to the ground. After tea we wandered up the streets of the old town and turned for home for an early night and to plan tomorrow's trip up to the Moors.
Greg, the photos from the last couple of days have been beautiful. And how nice for you and Kerry to meet up with The Champion, Mr Scott, while overseas!
ReplyDeleteM xx