Day 8: Meandering through the Moors and wandering in Whitby

Today the weather turned bleak. Low cloud and drizzly rain meant that the view across the 
North Yorkshire moors was going to be limited. Martina took the wheel this morning as we headed out of York, destination Goathland. Ok, so you haven’t heard of Goathland? What if I told you it was the Harry Potter Station and if I also told you that it was the small town that was used as Aidensfield in the series Heartbeat which was one of my faves!! We found Goathland and waited to board the steam locomotive, destination Whitby. 

Chris, the train tragic, was in his element and there were many pictures taken along the way, including a spectacular viaduct. Once in Whitby it was apparent that this was a real seaside holiday  tourist town. We wandered along the harbour foreshore, peering into shops and watching the mist hang further and further down on the hills, obscuring the view of Whitby Abbey and the Castle for a time. But we were on a mission, lead by the fearless Enid, and we were in search of the Magpie Cafe, famous for its fish and chips. We were very fortunate to arrive just as it opened and so gained a table in the first sitting which was a real bonus. The fish and chips was stunning - crisp batter and juicy yummy fish, with an interesting side salad or chips... and of course you get the best of both worlds when your husband has chips and you have the salad and you play sharing is caring! Lunch over, Enid mooched in the shops while Martina and Chris and I headed off in search of the statue of Captain Cook who came from Whitby. Martina wandered out along the pier and Chris went down to the sand and dipped his hand in the North Sea, which has become a tradition of recent years, collecting different oceans and seas in every coastal place we visit! We even saw the replica Endeavour sail in through the harbour and up to the dock which was very patriotic. 

A spot of shopping and it was back to the station to catch the return steam train back to Goathland. By this time the weather had cleared amazingly and we were able to get good views. We also watched the steam engine shunt from back to the front before taking us back up the hills. When we arrived at Goathland there was a delay for the train moving on because the diesel that was heading towards Whitby was late, so we got the chance to see the diesel as well.

Then it was time to take a few quick picks in “Aidensfield” and yes, the sites were very familiar... the Scripps collection of Funeral Directors plus garage plus taxi service, the Aidensfield Arms, the General Store and even a little old fashioned police car... what a hoot. Chris had a much better drive back into York, that was until the GPS sent us along a street to a bridge that was closed and the traffic was horrendous. Gilygate was to become infamous! It was so bad that we decided to park in a public car park and walk back to York Minster because we were running tight for time to attend Evensong. But we made it, and on this the Feast of Martha of Bethany (tonight called the Feast of Mary, Martha and Lazarus) two ex Bethany teachers, and two ex Bethany parents sat and enjoyed Evensong in the spectacular York Minster....just wow. The prayer was led by a visiting choir from St Wulfram’s in Grantham... from very small children to grandparents, this choir was fabulous. On the way out we spoke to the young woman who sang and led the responses. She was not from the visiting choir but rather from the Minster and she told us that she is a lay minister in music and liturgy... kind of sounds like my dream job!

We wandered the Shambles looking for some inspiration for dinner when we spied Bettys, which Enid tells us is a York institution and as we soon discover, it is celebrating its centenary this year. It was super busy so we took two tables for two and dined on delicious light meals including a bacon and cheese rosti and carrot and ginger soup with a selection of bread. Fabulous service and a great atmosphere. 
Martina was meeting up with Carina after dinner and so Enid, Chris and I wandered along through the Shambles and crossed the river heading back to sus out the parking at the hotel which, but this time was full. Fortunately there is an arrangement with another parking place nearby and so Chris retrieved the car and unfortunately had a terrible time getting back because the GPS kept wanting to send him up the closed street! Bloody Gilly gate... Round and round he went before heading miles out of town to come back in via a different route Go figure. Time to pack because we need to check out tomorrow. 































































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