Friday 27th - Up and away at about half past eight this morning for the long drive to Yorkshire, with Jake stocked up with DVDs in the back to keep him going. Stopped off late morning at one the "OK Diners" and had a full English to keep us going - Jake had pancakes. Made it to Scarborough at about half past three. John and Margaret had gone straight to Oscar (our train carriage accommodation for the week). We stopped off at Morrisons to stock up on provisions, and then made our way to Cloughton. J&M had already unpacked in the small twin bedroom, so without too much hesitation we made ourselves at home in the double ensuite at the end (again)!
Tea was in accordance with tradition for first night of holiday - chicken risotto!
Saturday 28th - I think that I surprised everyone on our first morning by being up early and going out for a walk to get the newspaper, and a very pleasant stroll in the sunshine it was too! After breakfast it was off to Scarborough, and first stop were the penny arcades, with ice cream cones thrown in for good measure. Lunch was at a fish and chip restaurant (not a patch on some of the others found later in the week), and then it was off to the beach for a our first beach cricket game of the summer. We decided to go to the beach "round the corner" (i.e. at the Peasholme Park end) which I declared to only be a five minute walk and no need to move the car. Twenty five minutes later we arrived, and I probably wasn't too popular, but we still had the energy for a game of cricket, and then thankfully were able to come back along on the open top bus.
A stop off at the little funfair area followed - dodgems and big wheels, and then it was back to Oscar.
Sunday 29th - Lazy morning (although I went on my papershop stroll again - this time accompanied by Jake) followed by another trip into Scarborough and to the French market. Provisions were taken back to Oscar, and we had an outdoor lunch of french bread, cheese and wine, after which the swingball challenge began in earnest.
Monday 30th - Day trip to Whitby today. We had a wander around the shops in the narrow lanes, and then Jake, Nicky and I climbed the 199 steps up to the Abbey (and Jake has the badge to prove it). After a little wander around the churchyard (marvelling at the eroded headstones) and admiring of the Abbey, N&J went back down whilst I went in and took lots of photos, before returning to find everyone in the pub!
Fish and chips for lunch and then a look around the other side of town including Captain Cook's statue and the whalebone arch.
Tuesday 31st - Different trips today - Nanny and Grandad took Jake to the Sealife centre and to Peasholme Park whilst Nicky and I headed for Castle Howard. The grounds of Castle Howard are lovely, especially the Rose Garden (and the weather was glorious). Nicky managed to avoid being attacked by any of the peacocks! Best bit of the house was probably the tea rooms! Had a tasty lunch at the stable courtyard cafe, and bought some provisions and presents at the organic farm shop.
Wednesday 1st - The morning was spent on the beach - mostly playing cricket, but with a bit of kite flying, paddling and ice cream eating thrown in for good measure. Then we got on the open top bus and went along to town. John and Margaret took Jake for a fish and chip lunch whilst Nicky and I headed into town.
After lunch we took the bus back to the beach and decided to stop in at the little funfair. Jake enjoyed a ride on the kids' roller coaster, but then we made the huge mistake of taking him on the waltzer (without watching it to see how fast it went before getting on). Let's just say that Nicky and I both came off feeling very queesy, and unfortunately Jake's fish and chips returned!
Thursday 2nd - John, Jake and I went to the spa in the morning (and had a listen to the spa orchestra) whilst Nicky and her mum did some shopping in the town. Then we met up for lunch at Ask, before Jake and I climbed the steps and the slope up to Scarborough Castle. We had a great time exploring and learning about the castle and its history, and we even got to watch an archery demonstration.
Friday 3rd - Packed up in the morning and set off on the long journey home. J&M went to visit Auntie Carol, and we stopped off at Brownhills on the way down the A1 to admire the RV's.