Sunday 20 July 2014

WHITBY WHIGMELEERIES

 
In theory the above event was the reason we fetched up in Whitby this weekend, and very jolly it was too, with plenty of these.


Whigmeleeries or whimsical, fanciful ornaments! In fact we were looking for any excuse to re-visit lovely Whitby and also escaping from yet another scary weather forecast. We hoped that sea breezes at the coast might save us from the imminent and possibly life-threatening heat-wave.


Captain James Cook, adopted son of the town, looked out over a misty seascape. Storms were predicted.


These jaw bones are a reminder of the town's whaling history.
 
 
The mist cleared - in Whitby there are many things to see and do.
 
 
Boat trips,
 
 
quaint shops,

 
and folky street entertainers.
 
 
But we were heading up these steps - oops, fast forward.
 
 
We were heading up these steps (all 199) to the ruins of Whitby Abbey.
 
 
 
 
 
Blue skies arrived at last, at least for a while...
 
 
...and life was sweet.
 
 
Or it was until Mr N saw these.
"I always knew Whitby was our spiritual home," he said.
 
***

 

9 comments:

  1. Looks a great place ... somewhere I have always wanted to visit. I wonder what the history of Arguments Yard is??!!

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    1. Arguments Yard, rather disappointingly, used to be the garden of a cottage belonging to a Thomas Argument and ran down to the harbour. To raise an income from rents, he built 5 more small cottages in his garden.

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  2. Oh how I love Whitby. The puppeteer was indeed the one who graced Hebden Bridge's streets just 2 weeks ago ! Fabulous photos Nilly, of one of my favourite places in the world. Mark's father played the organ at the church opposite the abbey, during WW2. We took him back there for a visit just before he died a few years ago.......always a very special place. Jx

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    1. It's amazing how many people have Whitby memories and connections - I'm glad you enjoyed being reminded of yours too. My sister-in-law goes to the folk festival every year without fail, my Berkshire uncle used to camp there with his family and we've only recently found out that Mr N's ancestors were sailors from the town.

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  3. I've only been to Whitby once before, about 30 years ago. I must be due a trip back soon.

    Jean x

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    1. I feel exactly the same about Sussex, even though it's only a few months since I was there!
      It's an addiction.

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  4. Such great images nilly especially the ones of the ruins, just stunning. I have only visited Whitby a couple of times but would love to go again soon.

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    1. I can't believe I'm only just learning how wonderful Northumberland is and I'd love to stay in Julie's wonderful bastle house. But I'm a bit scared I might spill something or break something - then I'd never dare visit her fairs again!

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  5. The blue door has a face that looks as though it's making very snide comments about Arguments Yard!

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