Sunny at last

After a month of dull wet weather (or was it more than that?) we now have sunshine.
We left Hartlepool on Friday the 20th July around 14.00 in order that we had enough water. We still only had 200mm under the keel exiting the harbour. Although dull, it was dry. As usual, what wind there was was again on the nose, so we motored the three hours or so to Whitby, where we got the last berth on the end of the river pontoon. An interesting entrance when you've not been there before, especially with the 2 to 3 metre swell we had.

We had a great day in Whitby, which was full of holiday makers on the Saturday. Lots of "Goths", though not as many as Goth weekend we were told, when they turn up in hearse with coffins etc.

We used out English Heritage cards, bought in Falmouth, to visit the abbey, where we were greatly entertained by three actors doing a Dracula play. Unfortuneately St. Mary's church was closed for a wedding, so we couldn't go in, so we had to visit the famous Magpie Cafe instead. Queues outside even at 2.30. It turned out the wedding was for one of their staff, and we saw the bride coming down the 199 steps from the church to the town.

We left Whitby getting the 06.00 bridge on Sunday morning and headed towards Scarborough. Again, little wind on the nose so motored the short distance, only 18 miles, and arrive in Scarborough and were tied up by 09.00 when the wind started to kick in. But we had needed to be there at high tide for as the entrance is shallow although the marina is dredged.

We had more castle bashing around Scarborough Castle, another good day, this time with another re-enactment.

After all the walking around the town, Rum and Coke followed by Dark and Stormy (Rum/lime/ginger beer) was called for. See picture of Gail. I'm told there have been too many of me enjoying a drink.

Today we took the bus, free bus pass, to Bridlington, which we shall not be sailing to as it is too shallow. As I type Gail is booking the theatre in Scarborough for, as you might guess, an Alan Ayckbourne play.

We hope to head towards Kingston upon Hull next, quite a long passage of 80 miles, where Olly's friend Tom will join us for a few days for the long passage to Lowestoff.