Stoneclose Campsite, Dalby, North Yorkshire

Until the early hours this morning the wind refused to give in. Finally by seven all was calm and bright. Today we were going to be leaving Yorkshire's east coast, but first we had a couple of places to visit. First, Robin Hoods Bay, back in the day a haven for smugglers.

Picturesque narrow cobbled streets take you down to the car free harbour. On the shore we picked through pebbles and rocks looking for fossils.

The car parking charge was quite hefty, so after two hours we readied to leave. As we descended one of the steep narrow cobbled paths we met two women helping their very elderly mother up the steps. Perhaps a walking pole or stick would have been of use. No way, the older lady commented, they're for old people. It's confirmed then. Angela's old! She always takes her walking pole with her to steady herself. Then a drive down the coast, passing the bustling seaside resort of Scarborough to Flamborough Head.

A chalk headland with sheer white cliffs. Angela remembers visiting here as a child. The dramatic cliffs, home to many nesting seabirds earlier in the year now stood silent. John hasn't felt well today, so our planned walk along the cliff top was abandoned. Just a walk to the lighthouse and a little further on had to suffice.

Down on the gravel shoreline a colony of grey seals. Angela had read they'd be here, and even though we couldn't do the walk, observing the seals below was a real hilight. Flamborough was our turning point. We headed back across the North York Moors witnessing the devastation caused by the recent fires. We could see whisps of smoke rising from the peat that smouldered underground. As we passed through the pretty village of Thornton le Dale a stop to view Mathewson's Garage where the television show Bangers and Cash is filmed.

Then a short drive to Dalby Forest which is where we are staying tonight on a farm campsite. Our neighbour the farms ram, who's very placid, but who also looks very bored. He probably would like some female company.

The campsite is very quiet, and we've been told there is no rush to leave in the morning, so if the weather's good we'll take a walk into the forest. You can't beat a walk amongst the trees. Forest bathing is a wonderful calming pastime.

Whitby, North Yorkshire.(Day 2)

All through the night the wind  battered us, causing our pop top to shake a little. The unrelenting rain battered Margery, and just to mix it all up a little, the wind decided to change direction, so we weren't parked quite in the right direction. This morning, a little water ingress on Angela's side of the pop top. Don't be thinking she's leaking, it was the weather directing it's worst at us. Today we decided to sit tight. Just a little way down the coast, the direction we are heading, the wind speed was forecast to be double that expected here at Whitby. Also, on Saturday evening at Staithes after we returned from our walk around the village Angela slipped off the vans side step skinning her left shin. Yes, she's still as accident prone as ever! Fortunately it's not her driving leg, as Margery has a automatic gearbox. Late last night after many hours of walking around Whitby she noticed her leg was very swollen. So a change of dressing and a compression bandage applied she retired to bed with her leg raised in order to rest it. This morning her leg was much improved. Lunchtime the bad weather relented a little and we made a break for it, walking into town, stopping at the historic 13th century St. Mary's church, it's cemetery referenced in the novel Dracula.

We hoped to lunch out at a pizza restaurant, but being a Monday they were all closed except one, which had no customers, not really the best advert. So it was hot pasties, and delicious they were as well.

This evening there are only a handful of vans in the parking area by the abbey. The wind is once again doing It's worst. It's now becoming a little tedious. Tomorrow we want to visit Flamborough Head, so we are really hoping the wind abates overnight as forecast. Can't be taking accident prone Angela up on the cliff tops in a high wind!

A Whitby Jet workers sign.

Whitby, North Yorkshire

We woke early to a beautiful bright morning. Keen to make the most of the weather we were away fairly early, Whitby our destination.

Arriving at the car park adjacent to the ruins of the abbey which sits high on the clifftop overlooking the historic sea port below, we noticed there were quite a few vans parked, and despite signs forbidding overnight parking, we knew they'd probably all been parked up overnight. John enquired at a nearby van, and yes, it was alright to stop over, the rangers it seemed were very lax about it, as long as you bought an overnight ticket at a cost of £11.90 and respected the area. It was a no brainer, English Heritage own the site, why wouldn't they welcome this additional income. Result! That was our overnight park up sorted.

Whitby was busy, very busy. Throngs of people filled the narrow pebbled streets, cafes, restaurants and bars were bursting with people. Despite a cool breeze, many people sat out, on any available perch they could find and ate fish and chips.

After a very long walk discovering the town we also partook of this English delicacy. The town is celebrated for its wonderful fish and chips, and there are certainly a lot of places to buy them. We found a little place near the marina, sat inside, and realised most people around us were local. As always we were soon made to feel 'Yorkshire'. A huge piece of haddock for John and Whitby scampi for Angela. As expected, delicious. Stomachs full, further walking was required, this time over to the shore below the Abbey where of course a few pieces of sea glass were found. 

Then, as forecast, late afternoon a few spots of rain began to spot the ground. This evening, we have kept Margery's pop top down and will raise it later once the strengthening wind calms a little. Our plans for tomorrow, who knows, the forecast is not great. I'm sure whatever we decide to do, it will be enjoyable.