Still heading up the coast to Newcastle.

We reached the coast at Whitby. Once the home of Captain James Cook, this seaside town was teeming with tourists and their damned dogs. The saving grace was the beauty of the place.




I had a coffee at the Flowergate Sandwich Shop, then headed down passed Judith's Fabrics shop. A pieced of fried cod from Siggies was more than enough for lunch.

Back on the road, we travelled across the moors and up the coast to Whitley Bay. This charming Victorian seaside town features hundreds of lovely of houses and hotels. The Promenade is still a great place to stroll.


The long stretch of beach is topped off with St Mary's Lighthouse.





We met up with some old friends of mine at their local pub, the Delaval Arms.



From the Delaval Arms we strolled down the road to check out Mike's Allotment. One of 30+ plots rented from the local council, these small garden plots not only keep the old blocks entertained, by some of the crops harvested were incredible.

Tomorrow we are of to the Beamish Historical Village. Till then.  Lesley

Up the coast to Newcastle

Today  - another fabulous fine one, we headed for the east coast, then north.

Our first stop actually started as a detour, when we turned off the main road on the North Yorkshire Moors. Heading for Goathland, the village where the television series Heartbeat is filmed.  Along the road, which we shared with hundreds of sheep that just roam at will.

North Yorkshire Moors

Goathland/Aidensfield

 

 

 A really cute village and at the local hall a Craft Fair was about to open. Needless to say, they opened early for us. What fun. 

Monday - York

Another fine & sunny day dawned this morning  - how lucky we have been!

Today we visited the York Quilt Museum & Gallery to view part of their magnificent Heritage Collection. The origins of hexagon quilts was particularly interesting. Here's their website.   http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/

No photography was allowed, so you will have to come & visit in person.

The remainder of the day has been spent wandering the streets of the old city centre, visiting Dutton's For Buttons - http://www.duttonsforbuttons.co.uk/ With over 12,000 to choose from there is something for everyone.

Later in the day we visited the York Outlet Mall. With over 120 stores there was plenty for everyone.

Tonight we are dining in at the hotel and we will be on the road at 8am heading for Whitby and the East Coast.

Photo time - Singapore, Ireland & Wales

 Lipstick Palm

Literary Pub Crawl, Dublin

Irish Museum, Dublin

Old iron trivot

Phoenix Park, Dublin

Phoenix Park, Dublin

Phoenix Park, Dublin

English Market, Cork

Quayside, Cork

Quayside, Cork

Show & Tell at Patchwork Plus, Midleton, Ireland

Show & Tell at Patchwork Plus, Midleton, Ireland

Show & Tell at Patchwork Plus, Midleton, Ireland

Show & Tell at Patchwork Plus, Midleton, Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher

Add caThe Cliffs of Moherption

Cute pot plant at Brigit's Garden, Galway.

Brigit's Garden, Galway

Brigit's Garden, Galway

Exhibition at Lampeter, Ireland

Exhibition at Lampeter, Ireland

Exhibition at Lampeter, Ireland

Gallery Shop, Welsh Quilt Centre

Gallery Shop, Welsh Quilt Centre

Aberystwyth, Wales

How many feet have walked over these cobbles?

Castle ruin, Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Castle ruin, Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Llandidloes

Sunday - and so to York

Up and at it this morning as we departed the Burlington and headed to York, with a brief stop at an Outlet Mall (for coffee and comfort). A pretty good run up the M1 got us into York on time to meet our guide, Jenny.

This was a walking tour that included a brief history lesson and all of the places that York is famous for. We heard about the city wall and it’s gates; the Shambles, York Minster and more.

Our walk ended up at the Minster and after a half hour guided tour we had time to sit in the nave and listen to the choir at the beginning of Evensong. Just lovely.

The main feature of the Minster is, of course the magnificent stained glass windows and at present the main window is removed for repairs and maintenance. This process will be completed in 2018. There are also fifty Stonemasons working on restoration.

After our visit to the Cathedral we ambled back down through the old town and stopped in at the Earl Grey Tea Rooms for a cup of tea and a teacake each. Yummy.

Earl Grey Tea Rooms, the Shambles.

A quiet stroll back to the hotel, this time a Novotel.

The canal that runs behind the Novotel, York.