Watch out for the Christmas Tree

When you are coming to Whitby on the A169 over the moors from Pickering look out for the Christmas Tree around a mile, or maybe a bit more, after RAF Fylingdales. We first noticed the tree about this time last year when there was only one bauble. Over the next few weeks a couple more appeared and at Chrismas last year there were no more than half a dozen. Since then it seems that every time we pass there is another ornament, some tinsel and now the top is adorned by a star. Technically people are probably littering, but seeing the tree develop makes us smile each time we pass on our weekly trips to visit family.

Whether you are coming to stay at The Waverley, somewhere else or just on a day trip, look out for the tree on the left hand side after passing the early warning station and hopefully it will make you smile too.

50 Pints and Still Counting

Proud day today as Julie has given her 50th pint of blood. Unfortunately I (Stephen) can't give bood any more but Julie has more than made up for that. It is a common misconception that if you have a common type of blood that there is no need to donate, whereas more of the blood is needed simply because it is more common. Everyone who can give blood should do so because there are very few people who would refuse to take blood except on religious grounds. Follow this link to find out more http://www.blood.co.uk/

Julie is proudly wearing her new badge whilst sporting the bandage where the blood was taken.

Fancy New Year in Whitby?

Esk Valley Theatre, Glaisdale

We have lived in Whitby for approaching 5 years and each year have promised ourselves that we would go to Esk Valley Theatre (EVT) but have never got around to it. This year we have been twice.

On Tuesday last week 8 of us went to see a Pocket Panto production of Dick Whittington - There were 4 generations of our family there ranging in age from 4 to 90 and one person from each generation really didn't like the idea of a panto. How wrong we were, every one of us had a great time watching the three performers enact the tale of Dick on his London adventure and we all laughed throughout the performance.

In contrast to this just the 2 of us went to see Second from last in the Sack Race on Monday night (instead of watching the Regatta fireworks in the rain!) and once again had a fabulous night. EVT is only a theatre for one month a year but the productions of both programmes were excellent. We will be back next year.

Regatta

Once again the Regatta and Whitby Folk Week have coincided, but looking at the Regatta website we are pleased to see that common sense now prevails as there should be no further conflict for the next 5 years at least. We wish both events every success going forward.

This year's Regatta was what we have come to expect with the usual attractions, rides and Monday fair but it is a shame that it cannot revert more to what it was 40 years ago and be less of a commercial enterprise. We were sorry that the Monday was somewhat of a washout and unfortunately the Red Arrows were unable to make an appearance because of the weather, let's hope that next year the sun will shine for the three days. The Carousel pictured here was a new attraction which seemed to draw plenty of attention. Because of the weather we did not venture out on Regatta Monday until the evening when we went to Glaisdale, but more of that in the next blog.

Proud Parents watch Jessica Jump

Jessica 15 seconds from landing

After 3 aborted attempts, due to inclement weather, Jessica has finally done her skydive to raise funds for Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign and has apparently become one of the 0.03% of the world's population to have jumped from an airoplane. Even though I (Stephen) would have liked to do this when I was younger, Jessica took up the gauntlet and effectively did it on behalf of her old man as well as LBCC because I'm not sure that I have the bottle any longer!! Sad but true.

In total she raised going on for £500 but, more importantly, awareness of bowel cancer has been raised. We finished the rooms in time to be able to go to see her jump and very proud parents we both are too.

If you would like to see more photos you can see  them with this link skydive album and if you would like to see about the charity please click here.

Mulgrave Woods

For the first time since we came to Whitby we had both the time and the inclination to discover Mulgrave Woods. We did, however, make the mistake of following (or more appropriately try to follow) the walk in the pocket guide "Walks around Whitby" by Nick Channer which is as clear as the mud we were walking in at times. Having said that we have had a lovely afternoon and we will certainly return with a better guide or map. Within a hundred yards of the entrance to the estate there wasn't a soul to be seen, and all afternoon we only encountered 5 other people. Most people obviously respect the countryside as the whole walk was litter free, except for a few cigarette ends around a seat in the clearing. We will never understand why some smokers seem to think that tab ends are not litter! If you would like to see a few more photos click here.

A hundred years old - She's entitled to break down now and again

We have lived here for going on 5 years and this is the longest breakdown of the bridge we can recall, but as a man said while I was taking these photos "A hundred years old - She's entitled to break down now and again". Nobody is sure how long the repairs are likely to take but there are rumours that a part is being awaited from abroad. Meanwhile the local ferrymen are doing a roaring trade in shipping people across the Esk at £1 a trip. Alternatively there is a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes from 6:00am until midnight each day until the problem is resolved. It has certainly made a difference in town though as many more people than usual can be seen on the west side. Follow the link in the Whitby Gazette or the Whitby Swing Bridge site for the updated position. (Incidentally you can now share our blogs by clicking the links below each)

World champions again

Bill Cockerill can be seen on the left presenting the World Doubles Quoits trophy to Paul Welford (centre) and Paul Mendelsohn at the annual event held in Beamish last weekend. Paul Mendelsohn has been the recipient of this trophy on several occasions over the last few years although normally partnered by his brother Mike. Mike couldn't make it this year so Paul Welford stepped into the breach to help claim success for Whitby yet again.

Paul Mendelsohn lives opposite us at The Waverley and delivers our milk daily. Unfortunately he was knocked out of the singles and finished in 3rd place.

Mother and baby - That time of year again

We have now lived in Whitby for going on 5 years and don't really hear the gulls most of the time. For the last 3 years parent gulls have been bringing their offspring onto our kitchen roof to learn how to fly, often leaving them all day. The youngsters' cry sounds like a cross between a cat and a child, but as already said we don't hear it unless we are specifically listening for them. Fortunately they are collected by the parent at the end of the day and so are not left crying overnight. We don't really understand how the young birds get onto the roof as when they are alone they will not fly, maybe it is just a confidence thing that they only fly when mum is close by.