Back to the UK after 50 years

[VPS]

We then went off again

The roads were very often narrow. We would pass through much of the same area the next day when we went to Whitby.

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We made a stop at "the Finest view in England". Again a bit of money chasing. There was a paid car park with excessive fees. But at least this time you did get a 10 minute free period. So we all moved at a rapid pace.

Some of my ashes are going to be scattered there. I better make sure that I leave the person taking them over a bit of money to pay for parking

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Unfortunately it was not the clearest day for viewing. Overcast and with a bit of smoke around. But still a lovely outlook.

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we passed through some nice villages and countryside

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Including Thirsk. Our friends were heading further north so they dropped us at Thirsk Station. This was only about a 20 minute non stop train ride to York.

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They had hired an Audi. It was a nice car but for me to get in I had to dive headfirst across the passenger seat into the drivers are and then roll over. Getting out I had to slide almost to the ground and then lever myself up. Part of this was due to my back problem but it did have very small door openings and restricted head room. It was also pretty low to the ground. But we got a lovely chauffeured drive around the Yorkshire countryside for free so nothing really to complain about.

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I bought the tickets on the train app on my phone but there was also a manned ticket office.

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You probably know the vet who wrote All Creatures Great and Small had his practice in Thirsk and you can visit a small museum

 

[OZDUCK]

It would be a nice spot to spend eternity.

That vet did receive a few mentions during our bus trip.

 

[OZDUCK]

We moved on passing some nice villages again









Passing through Hutton-le Hole



Until we got to the North York Moors

North York Moors - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sheep roam freely on the moors







Looking down into Farndale

 

[OZDUCK]

It was beautiful up there but the wind on even a nice day was really cutting











"It contains the largest expanse of heather moorland in the United Kingdom."

There was still a bit of heather in bloom





Young Ralphs Cross - "It was probably also carved in the 11th century. The head of the cross was replaced, perhaps in the 18th century. The cross was broken in 1984 and again in 1990, and on both occasions was repaired with steel pins and cement." "The cross is believed to date back to the 11th or 12th century, though its origins are still surrounded in a bit of mystery. According to local legend, it was erected by a man named Ralph who found a dead traveller nearby. Moved by the tragedy, he placed a cross here to guide and protect others journeying across the moor.

Old Ralph and Young Ralph - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You can see the North Sea in the distance



I can imagine how cold and desolate these moors would be in winter

 

[OZDUCK]

We then moved down from the moors and looped towards Whitby from the North











Church of St Oswald, Lythe

"A church has been on the site since the 13th century, though the present building was adapted from the old church in 1910 by Sir Walter Tapper. It was grade I listed in 1969"



Coming downhill into Sandsend







Sandsend beach



The ruins of Whitby Abbey can be seen on the headland in the distance





The mouth of Sandsend Beck



Whitby Golf Club has been in this location since 1895. The course must be interesting to play with a bit of wind around

 

[OZDUCK]

Coming into Whitby we stopped at the western headland to get some panoramic views over the town and harbour. Our driver said that this spot offered a better view over the town than from near the abbey and he was right.

Monument to certain mariner



As you can see Whitby is instantly a very picturesque town. It is also in much, much better state of repair than Scarborough. It is obvious, as I mentioned what our driver said when I asked him about the differences between the two towns, that a lot of money had been spent here.

As can be the problem on tours like ours time in each place is limited by the schedule and we could have easily spent twice as long here.

Low tide



In a little while we would be walking, carefully, down the stairs under the abbey.
















The harbour entrance

 

[drron]

What a beautiful day you had in Whitby. Our one day was cold, dark and very rainy. It still looked a beautiful place and we had some lovely fish and chips.