Whitby

On Sunday we drove over the North York Moors to Whitby to stay with brother and sister-in-law. It was another lovely warm and sunny day for strolling around the town.

Too late to buy kippers from the famous kipper shop

it had just closed for the day.

We walked to the headland

for a view over the town.

People were exploring the shoreline under the cliffs. Perhaps they were looking for pieces of jet, made popular when Queen Victoria wore it as her mourning jewellery.

We walked along the harbour wall 

watching the day tripper boats come and go.

Usually, once the boats leave the calm waters of the harbour it's a bucking ride. But today the water beyond the harbour mouth was as calm as a mill pond. Time to climb aboard and go to sea ourselves!

Now other folks can look at us.

And we can see a different view of the Abbey.

We passed several small clinker-built  boats anchored out at sea with no-one aboard. "The salmon are running," the captain explained, a simple statement that means that the fish are making their way up river from the sea to their annual spawning ground. No fishing is allowed on Sundays but the boats are left in position to mark their spot.

Back on dry land we wandered round the streets. These old fishing towns are characterful places. Some of the street names in Whitby give you an idea of what the people must have been like. No holding back in Yorkshire!

After all the fresh sea air and sunshine it was time to eat and in Whitby that means one thing,

fish and chips and mushy peas... and scraps!

Then we walked back over the bridge

to sit in the living room

and watch the sun go down.

With a lovely afterglow

for Skywatch Friday.