Month: June 2017

At last it’s stopped raining. No sunshine but no rain.

Initially headed down to Spaulding but did not stop after a drive through the town. From there moved east to Kings Lynn. I’d been looking forward to visiting this place. Historic town and all that. I parked up by the river. You should see some of the floood levels they have had in the past. Way above your head. Flood gates everywhere.

But had a good look round. Apart for the Minster there was not much to see. What’s the difference between a Cathederal and a Minster? No clue. As in Boston it was noticeable that very little English is spoken by people walking around. All Slavic!!!!! Amazing.

From there headed up the A149 into Norfolk proper. Stopped off for a while at Hunstation but only stopped for a rest. On eastwards towards Cromer. Decided it would be best to stop in a campsite for the night so picked one at Deepdale which turned out for the best. The site is right on the banks of Scott Head marsh. A very good site. The toilet block has got wet rooms. Impressive. Good pub too!!!! The White Horse.

The houses are odd down here. They use local stone to make the wall surrounded with mortar. The stones can be 3 or 4 inches long. Mostly flint I suspect.

Rain rain and more rain.Looks like more today.

Headed straight to the coast at Cleethorpes. I’ve not been here in years. Quiet little town with a neat pier. Did not stop long as it was raining hard. Headed down the coast via Mablethorpe and on to Skegness. That’s the Blackpool of the east coast. Lots of amusement arcades and bingo parlours. There must have been something On because the beach was full of kids on school trips. Busy. The rain had stopped so I went for a walk along the prom to stretch my legs.surprisingly it was quite busy with summer preparations in full swing.

Moved south along the A52 to Boston. It’s as flat as a pancake is Lincolnshire. The field are full of vegetables. In the north there are broad beans and towards Boston turns to cabbages. Boston is a small town in the edges of The Wash. Great church in the centre with a cool windmill.

Called into the Frieston rspb on the way to my wild camp site. It’s only small on The Wash. spotted some Avocets. Oyster catches and Terns. I remember them for the Farne Islands.

Not a great day by any stretch of the imagination. Firstly it rained ALL day. From start to finish!!!! Summer??

the intention was to head down to Spurn Point. Have a look around there and wild camp for the night. Stopped off at Hornsea which is bigger than you would expect. Good sea front. Then down to Withersea and on to Spurn Point. I did not even get out of the van as it was so wet.

from there headed across to Hull trying to find somewhere to stop. Nothing but eventually found a quiet lay-bys near Paul. That will do me for the night.

No photography at all today.

Yes it’s a strange world!! Apparently the Caravan Club have a singles club and they’re meeting on this site. Am I going???? Don’t be so stupid!!!!!

Rainy day today. It’ll be a slow day. First I headed off to Flamborough Head to have a look at the lighthouse which is quite famous. Not sure why. But interesting.

From there I headed back to Bempton rspb to have another look. Did not stay too long as it was cold and wet.but got some good shots of some razorbills and the cliff face. I got the impression that the birds had not realised it was cold and wet. Freezing. Stopped for a cup of tea in the cafe to warm up.

From there headed into Bridlington to have a look around. It’s got two beaches and a harbour. Tide out. The south beach is particularly very long and flat. Impressive. Nice houses along the promenade. You could live here for sure.

Bloody pigeons were in the trees behind the van. Singing all f…….g night. Not a happy boy!!!!!! No sleep and I don’t do NO sleep. Bless them.

Headed down to Filey on my first stop of the day. Scarborough is brash and bold whereas Filey is a forgotten past. Lovely place without a great deal going on. It’s got a fantastic beach that was completely empty. No fanfares or fish and chip shops on the front. Like it!!!!!!

moved further south towards framborough Head but never made it there. Stopped off at Bempton RSPB which is just north. Lots and lots of seabirds including gannets, Fulmars, puffins and Guillemots. Excellently run by the RSPB with observation platforms overlooking the cliffs. All the birds were nesting so the noice was incredible. I spent three hours walking along the cliffs and I may very well go back tomorrow. Impressive.

Good  day for sure.

A quiet day today. Only drove over to Scarborough around 10ish. Stopped on the start of north bay to walk back to the South Bay.

not being one to complain but the parking meters are rubbish. They’re designed to take credit cards but are not connected to the net. They don’t take new £1 coins . How Scarborough council are supposed to attract visitors is beyond me. How long is it since the new £ was introduced???? Rubbish.

i had a walk along the sea front. Full of ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops. Good harbour though.

Arrived at the campsite at 2pm to chill out.

I met up with Sophie hast night in the centre of York. She’s up for a hen party with one of her Bolton friends. We had a couple of pleasant beers before she joined her crew. Nice to see her again. It seems ages since we last met.

Today was a tourist day for me looking round York. It’s definitely the chocolate capital of the world. Shops everywhere. I walked around The Shambles and had a look at the minster. Fine building. From there I headed over to the National Railway Museum. There are some great trains on show ranging from The Rocket to The Mallard. Very interesting.

From there walked back into town and had a look round the castle and all the little side streets. Cool place is York. Saw about four groups of hen parties in various states of dress. No pink hats thank God.

Feet sore so came back to the site for a rest. Sophie rang to say she’s was coming over to see the van.

I decided to go into Whitby again to have a look around Westcliff. Not sure why it’s called Westcliff as it’s on the North side of Whitby!!!!

Its got a few decent hotels and is overlooking the harbour and town. There is a statue of James Cook on the headland and also a couple of whale bones representing the whaling industry during the 19th century.coupled with great views overlooking the town it’s an OK place.

headed over to Scarborough to have a look round. It’s not changed one bit in thirty years. Even The Boston hotel is exactly the same. Same harbour, same prawn stalls, same amusements and fish and chip shops. Even the Grand is the same. Frightening.

I could not got on to Any camp sites as there was a bike race on Olivers Mount. So detoured over to York. It’s worked out quite well as Sophie is on a hen weekend there. I’ll meet up with her tonight for a drink. Looking forward to that.

Tomorrow I’ll hit the railway museum. It all works out for the best.

I decided to go up to Middlesbrough to have a look at the transporter bridge. It’s been on my wish list for some time. This bridge is a Victorian masterpiece of engineering. The bridge is a pontoon over the river Tees. Brilliant!!!!! Love it. Photos attached.

but it started to rain?!?! Looks like the hot weather has disappeared for the time being. Headed back towards Whitby in a thick rain mist. Not nice.

After Whitby I drove down to Robin Hoods Bay about 5 miles south. If you’ve not been to RHB is a dead end down a narrow track to the sea. Very steep with small shops and pubs on the way down. At last the rain stopped but no sunshine.

Good day.

Well here I am again. You’re not getting rid of me so easy. I’ve had a couple of weeks at home to refresh the batteries. I’m now supercharged and ready to go.

Im heading back to the east coast where I left off. Set off to Whitby which is north of Scarborough. No internet at all so this is written on Thursday. Pretty uneventful trip over via the M62 and the A1. It’s years since I’ve been to Whitby and I’d forgotten just how nice the place was. Typical seaside town with a river flowing through it. Whitby is quite famous for several things: Captain James Cook was born here: famous for Jet which is a semi precious fossilised stone that washes up on the shore. Hence the expression jet black:Dracula is from Whitby: it’s the goth centre of the UK but they must have been on holiday when I arrived: it’s got hundreds of fish and chip shops( haddock is £4:80).

its got a ruined monastery on the hill top. Also a great harbour pier. All in all worth a visit for sure.

Ive had nine weeks in Scotland with one day of rain. First day out this time, it poured down when I arrived. Not impressed. But at least I’m back on the road again.

Good stuff.