Tag Archives: scarborough

Afoot in Yorkshire

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Sir NIgel Gresley pulling out of Goathland
Sir Nigel Gresley pulling out of Goathland

Arrived home mid-evening yesterday after quite a tiring journey back from Scarborough, calling at Coventry to see Andrew and take him to the Harvester at Allesley for lunch. Said Harvester turned out to be bursting at the seams, even at 3.30pm; a large number of the bursters were children, so noise levels were high. Nevertheless we persevered and waited 20 minutes for a table, then rather more for the food, which can best be described as ordinary. Only the waitress was outstanding.

The road between the M18 and Scarborough (A614) was a trial both ways, despite its basic attractiveness. Slow-moving vehicles were all over it like a rash, and no-one seemed to remember how to overtake. As a result we found ourselves at the back of queues, behind caravettes, caravans, tractors and dreary drivers generally. Coming home I tried a different route, which was initially successful, but we then got diverted into Hull after missing a turning. Found ourselves passing the Hull Daily Mail building. Nostalgic, or what?

While at Scarborough we had a pleasant time in reasonably warm weather. The first day (Thursday) was in fact quite hot down on Scarborough seafront, where we had tea in one cafe and lunch in another before Dot and Julia headed to the shops and Dave and I went on a tour of the harbour, followed by a walk around and then over the headland. Bus back: total walking between four and five miles.

On Friday we took a bus to Whitby, where it was a bit duller and a bit cooler, but still pleasant enough. After an interesting journey via Robin Hood’s Bay we had a magnificent fish and chips lunch at Trencher’s – an impressive restaurant – then walked through the town, taking in numerous delightful little shops (I quote) before emerging on to the harbour wall, where it was a bit colder but fascinating. Again, between four and five miles. The double-decker journey back was even more interesting, as we got front seats up top.

The major walk came on Saturday, another sunny day. We started near Goathland and walked down to Mallyan Spout, a waterfall spilling into a quiet valley. Then we walked to Beck Hole, where we had a pub lunch (cheese sandwich and cider) before walking along the old railway line to Grosmont. Here we looked round a gallery before wondering whether to take the early or late steam train back to Goathland.

On hearing that the early train was to be drawn by Sir Nigel Gresley, a Mallard-type engine with a top speed of 112mph, a quick decision was made by Julia and Dave to jump on it, and we were fortunate that the only seats were first class. This should have attracted a surplus fare, but as the train was full, it didn’t. So we had comfort as well as privilege. We didn’t quite make 112mph on the three-mile trip, but we were certainly into double figures.

On arriving at Goathland we rushed out to snap Sir Nigel, but the fact that the platform was too short for the train threatened to thwart us. Happily its departure was delayed long enough for us to get out of the station and on to the hill outside, where we got a great view. Some nice photographs, and Dot and I both got a good video when it did eventually pull out. I also got a video of some rally cars that happened to be passing.

From the station we had a walk of about a mile back to the car, which gave us a total of just over nine miles for the day according to my app: however 2½ of these were on the train. Dave’s pedometer showed longer walking, but as it measures steps, it tends not to be too accurate when there’s a lot of up and down.

In the evening we walked down the road to Tuscany Too and had an excellent meal – mine featuring an outstanding rack of lamb. Lovely restaurant. Happily we were able to catch a bus back.

Scarborough and the fatal four

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Grosmont rail station

Loose ends: I did visit Kathleen, and she proved surprisingly perky, chatting for well over an hour. I did deliver part of a poetry and art workshop at Oxburgh Hall on a lovely sunny day, and it went very well – the only problem being that I could not see the screen of Dot’s laptop in the marquee. It was too bright. After some while I gave up and took the laptop into the armoury, where I completed typing the workshoppers’ poems before returning to the marquee to print them out. Dot arrived late morning and joined in, and we had five others, including Paston artist Kit Price-Moss. All produced good poems, plus some lively artwork with the assistance of Annette. All middle-aged women, interestingly. The day before I had helped to set up the Paston exhibition, again in very nice weather.

After Communion on Sunday we had lunch at home and then set off for Scarborough by the direct route. Quite a straightforward journey, except that we were stopped by the police on the A17 as part of a random sample for a little lecture on road safety. This centred, needless to say, on speed, and might have been suitable for a class of teenagers thinking about driving. The lecture was given by a female member of the local safety partnership, and I would have loved to give her a few arguments, but I didn’t want to delay our journey in order to do so, so I satisfied myself by suggesting the “Fatal Four” were lion, elephant, rhinoceros and hippo when she was angling for speed (hah!), seat belts, drink and mobile phones. It did inspire me to write a piece on the dangers of driving slowly, which will soon appear on my website.

We arrived safely at Scarborough around the estimated time – 6pm – and enjoyed an evening meal with Dave and Julia. We then spent three days with them without going anywhere near Scarborough town or beach. The weather was good on the Monday, so we drove to Goathland, home of the TV series Heartbeat, where we parked and walked to Grosmont, just under four miles away along the line of an old railway track. Mostly downhill, with a brisk wind behind, and very pleasant. Had a snack in Grosmont and then caught a North Moors Railway train back. In the evening we went to the Stephen Joseph theatre and saw a remarkable Alan Ayckbourn play based, surprisingly, on a time travel device. It worked very well, although Julia really didn’t like it at half-time. Most enjoyable and very clever, I thought. Communicating Doors starred Liza Goddard and Laura Doddington.

Helmsley Castle
Helmsley Castle

Next day was supposed to be rainy, so we headed for Nunnington Hall. In fact it didn’t rain at all and was less windy and therefore even nicer than the day before. Nevertheless we enjoyed the hall and a brief trip into Helmsley afterwards. In the evening we had a very good meal at Tuscany Too, a restaurant half a mile down the road from the Evetts’ apartment. So good in fact that the richness of the food meant I had trouble sleeping that night.

cliffs
Cliffs near Flamborough Head

On Wednesday we travelled in two cars down to Flamborough Head, so that we could continue on to Norwich afterwards. An impressive spot with a smattering of twitchers, but we walked along the cliffs, which were dramatic: could have stayed much longer. As it was we climbed the lighthouse, then had lunch (fish and chips for Dot and me) and set off for home about 3pm, following Dave and Julia until they turned off for Hornsea and Tracy Savage. We continued into Hull (probably a mistake) but emerged unscathed ono to the A63 and headed for the A1, where we stopped for refreshments at Blyth (nice one) before heading for Peterborough and home along the A47. No real traffic problems, and we got home just before 8pm. This was a longer route, but more relaxing to drive. The A17 and A15 are all right if you don’t mind travelling in a 45mph convoy all the time.

Yesterday I went to the dentist to check that his treatment of my sensitive teeth had worked – and it had, so that didn’t take long. Bought some presents for Oliver and an iPod for his Dad to give him, then ran into Martin Laurance. Dot was taking a head out to lunch, so I spent the rest of the day writing Oliver’s latest Little story – Little and the steps too far. Today I finished it off (with pictures) and am now catching up with various other things, like paying bills, writing e-mails and choosing hymns.

I forgot to mention that last Thursday we went for a meal with Ruth and Steve. Finding their home in Hethersett was a bit of a challenge, despite stopping and phoning them from the end of their drive. Ruth’s directions persuaded me that it wasn’t their house, but eventually Steve came out and guided us in. Very pleasant evening.

9 May 2009

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Yes, it’s Dot again, setting out for a hen night with her friend Anne. Norwich on full alert. The hen night is for Anne’s daughter Sophie, who is getting married at the end of the month. Meanwhile, a quiet evening for me, which is just as well, as I’m not feeling at my peak. I’m back on antibiotics, this time long-term, in a bid to get rid of my urine infection. Sorry to keep mentioning it. It’s a bit painful today, which is unusual: normally it just makes me feel generally unwell. Hope for an upturn by tomorrow, when I’m leading and preaching, and probably leading prayers as well. Suspect no-one else is going to be there.

Anyway, I did win my chess game on Monday night, which gave me 5/8 in the tournament and possible promotion to the first division next year. The next day Dot and I embarked by train to Scarborough for an overnight stay. Very pleasant journey both ways (especially coming home) with everything running to time – or very nearly. Dave and Julia met us and we had a long talk at their apartment, then walked down the cliff path to the beach, which was beautiful, along the front to the harbour and back up to the station , where we caught the bus back to the apartment, using our free bus passes! Julia provided an Indian meal of suprising hotness. Slept well, and the next day we went to Thornton-le-Dale, a beautiful village sadly (or perhaps deliberately) undersold by its website. We went for a walk of just under two miles and managed to avoid the rain. Then to a farm shop / restaurant, where we had lunch, which consisted mainly of (very good) sandwiches. After a detour down the wonderful Forge Valley, not to be confused with the more famous Valley Forge, which is in another country and besides, the wench is dead. (Sorry – obscure literary reference). Then by a slightly devious route to Scarborough Station, where we caught the train we meant to and changed at Grantham. The conductor said Peterborough, but that would have been a mistake, as the train we took from York did not stop there and we would have arrived bewildered at Stevenage, which is not something you’d want to happen.

Since then I’ve been to the dentist to have a filling built up, which was far less painful than the cleaning I’d had done a week or so ago. And today we both had our hair cut. How exciting is that? Meanwhile I’ve been rushing around sorting out various matters, mainly financial, and have managed to write a sermon to boot. Well, not to boot exactly, although that could be the reaction. Weather has been a bit on the chilly side, but nothing too unseasonal. We’re hoping for summer next week, when the Murrays arrive by train from Canada. After catching the plane first, of course.

Keiron Pim did a big article in the EDP this week about Voicing Visions, the Norwich 20 Group art and poetry exhibition which opens next week. I was quoted extensively, and Sandra’s picture dominated the page. My poem was also used. Can’t grumble about that, can you?

28 November 2008

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Had a great time in Scarborough from Monday to Thursday. This is Dot, Julia and Dave outside the cafe where we had just enjoyed a toasted teacake and hot drink, as well as much repartee featuring their friend Pam, who works there. The hot drink was especially welcome, because this was on the Tuesday, which was bitterly cold, with a strong wind. We spent the day around Scarborough. Dot and Julia went shopping in the afternoon, and Dave and I went for a walk in the Chinese gardens, where I managed to fall over, though without any ill effects. In the evening we ate at Tuscany 2, just down the road from the Evetts’ flat, and the food was excellent.

By the next day it was much milder, and we went further afield, calling at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar, which is on a cliff looking over to Robin Hood’s Bay. Walked round the gardens and then went in for a cup of tea. The whole place was wonderful. On to RHB itself, which was delightful. We parked at the top and walked down the steep road and along the narrow lanes, where we called in for lunch at a cafe where the tables were as tightly packed as the houses in the lanes. Then on to the sea, which was accessed by a steep slipway. There were dire warnings to keep away from it, so of course Dave wandered down to the water’s edge. No surprise there. The weather was benevolent and the crowds absent.

After this we drove on to Whitby and took a look at the Abbey beneath marvellous multicoloured skies, then into the town where I took it easy while the other three went off in unsuccessful search of kipper pate. Dot and I were impressed by Whitby: a very attractive town.

We had travelled to Scarborough on Monday by train from Norwich, which took four and a half hours, with changes at Peterborough and York. Dave met us at the station and took us to their flat, which is beautifully designed with a fantastic view of the headland and castle across South Bay. As the train approached the end of its journey we could see a lot of snow still on the moors, with part-rainbows against jet-black clouds: spectacular. In fact the scenery throughout our stay was inspiring, and I wrote four poems while we were there.

Somehow while we were there I managed to acquire a new pair of slippers, a jumper and a pair of trousers (the last because I had messed my others up when I fell over). Dave and Julia bought a painting at RHB. On the Thursday we had superb fish and chips before saying farewell at the station. The journey back, partly in the dark, was less interesting than the journey up, but equally efficient. Best of all, I felt much better, and my flu symptoms have almost entirely gone.

Taking the train did have its down side. When I left to go to the doctor’s this morning I found that the Mazda 3’s battery was flat, because the boot was not properly closed and the light had been on. It was blocking the MX5 in the garage, so I had to hurtle over to the station and get a taxi (£7 plus tip), and the bus back (free). The flat bettery was quickly fixed later by Mazda European Assistance, and I took the car for a drive to charge the battery up. Arrived back as Dot was leaving for her meeting at Diocesan House. Later took it to get the weekend shop at the supermarket. All seems well. This evening Dot has been to see the Vagina Monologues at the Playhouse with Annette V and one or two others.