Friday 27th December - Whitby

Today we planned to drive to Pickering and take the steam train to Whitby, explore for a few hours and return.
We arrived in Pickering and found the train station - the steam train doesn't go to Whitby again until March!
Quick confab, decided to drive to Whitby, so set off, it took about 45 minutes. Whitby is a little fishing village north of Scarborough.
Dave was in charge - he had come here for family holidays as a child. When we arrived in the car park at the harbour it was windy, stormy, raining - I got out of the car and said "I love it!"
We all wrapped up and set off - first of all to the old abbey. It was so windy! We were blown all ways as we climbed the steps and became more exposed to the elements. There was a fabulous view from the top and an old church with graves that went back centuries.
We headed back down, over the harbour bridge and around to 'The Magpie' where we were lucky enough to walk in and find a table for 7 vacant! Great menu, great service,  great view, really good hour or so.
Off again, this time to the beach, where the wind could blow all it liked, never too much in my opinion! A good chance to stretch our legs, although quite wet as it rained off and on - even though we had some blue skies and rainbows!
When we had walked enough (and were cold enough!) we climbed up a step path to the road and headed along the promenade, then down and around the harbour again to the car. Such cute cobbled streets, I haven't become blasé about all the character yet. It's a constant joy to come across these villages and have the time to wander and absorb.
Home around 4 - we had been out about 6 hours and had a wonderful day.
Amelia's camera packed up, then when we got home her computer also packed a sad, so I can't put up any of the superb photos we all took.
Ali resurrected the fire, Crys mulled some wine, we all snuggled down with our books (kindles) and some of us fell asleep! Decided it wasn't good enough so Crys set up the home theatre and we watched Les Miserables, with tissues to hand, and a break for turkey wraps at half time.
Tonight it was Ali's turn to bring a game, he decided on 'Super-Charades' which was great fun. We divided into teams - Paul, Crys, Mel and Amelia on 1, Dave, Ali and me on the other. When we were at 1 game each we called it a night.
This is the most fantastic family holiday!