Trip 152 - Blue Dolphin Haven Site and Bridlington

Saturday 13th September (Day 1)

Off ‘Up North’ today. 1000 saw us on the road to The Boat Inn at Sprotborough just west of Doncaster and on the River Don. We were meeting Chris, Graham and Maisie there for a night before going to a Haven site near to Filey, called the Blue Dophin. As we arrived we saw them parking up. After a quick lunch we were going to walk along the riverside but the heavens opened which delayed our walk by over 90 minutes. Eventually, we were off on a pleasant walk along the river and then on to a village called Cadeby. This village was absolutely delightful. We couldn’t visit without giving some money to the local economy and so we found ourselves at the Cadeby Inn and Hotel. What a pub! It was, without doubt, the nicest pub any of us could remember EVER being in. No part of it wasn’t smart, well kept and, well, lovely. After our refreshments we continued on a circular walk back to the motorhomes where at 1900 we went into the pub for a meal. It was a pleasant meal without being great. Back to the vans and the Mexican Train Game took us to bedtime.

Sunday 14th September (Day 2)

So we awoke and were informed that Graham had forgotten his tablets so they were going to have to go home. This meant that after breakfast Chris and I went for a walk along the river in the opposite direction to yesterday. A pleasant day but not overly warm. Around 1030 we moved off for the Blue Dolphin Haven site near Filey, East Yorkshire. We arrived at just before 1300 and had lunch with the others arriving about twenty minutes later. The weather was not very nice with strong winds and some rain so we sat in our van and watched the first quarter final of the women’s’ rugby of the day - Ireland .v. France. It was the closest game so far of the whole competition with France coming from behind to win by three points. Chris and I went over to the main site to ‘sus’ out the ‘lie of the land’. Upon returning I had lost the key to unlock the van doors and so we retraced our steps. Partway, while discussing, how it occurred we thought perhaps that the key was in the motorhome and I had not locked it. This proved to be the case. We then watched the England / Scotland second quarter final of the day which England won convincingly. The evening meal was a chicken casserole cooked by Chris S. Then it was Mexican Train Game, Flip Uno and Rummicub. Around 2300 it was time for bed. Not sure how much sleep we will get with the 50 mph gusts of winds.

Monday 15th September (Day 3)

So the plan today is a walk along the cliff tops to Scarborough. However, we have a storm here and the van has rocked all last evening and through the night. So the cliff tops, with 50mph winds, seemed a ‘no no’. First thing for the days activities we went for a swim on the site. A nice pool if a bit shallow as the deep end was only 1.1m. Then back to the motorhomes and off to catch the 1253 bus to Scarborough. We then had a stroll along the sea front in very wet and windy weather. The decision was made to walk further around to the next bay. While it could have been very nice in the sunshine it was less so as we had quite heavy rain soaking us from behind with the wind. Then the wind changed and we got soaked from the front. We caught a bus back to the main town. A walk up into the town itself and a beer stop. Then TK Max and GoOutdoors and finally the 1620 bus back which we only just managed to catch. Back home I cooked a chilli and that was followed by the games night. Bed was around 2300.

Tuesday 16th September (Day 4)

The plan today was walk to Filey and beyond along the cliff tops. The day started with a big yellow thing in the sky so all looked good, even the wind had abated. 1100 saw us off along the cliff tops on a lovely walk. Nearing Filey we walked along the Filey Brig which is a famous cliff (well locally I suppose) jutting out into the North Sea. Then back again and down into Filey where, after a cup of coffee / tea we had chips or fish which were very nice, especially as we were offered scrags to go on the chips. We then continued up (very up) into Filey town itself. A few minutes looking around and then back down to the sea shore and a walk along the sands to the next Haven site (Primrose Haven). Up a steep hill into the site and we missed the bus by just a few minutes. Another was along in thirty or so. While deciding how to pass the time it rained and got quite heavy and so we scurried under some nearby cover which turned out to be the drinking area of the Haven bar which was a Wetherspoons. The bus arrived a few minutes late and we had a thirty plus minute journey back home. We each cooked for ourselves and just after 2000 we gathered for another games night. Bed again around 2230.

Wednesday 17th September (Day 5)

So a lot of rain during the night but by 0700 it had stopped. What followed was just mizzle. After breakfast we went over for a swim for 1015. On our return we got kitted up and left for a walk to Scarborough, about seven miles. It was quite a challenging walk with steep climbs over the clifftops and quite a bit of mud. In addition we were treated to lots of swifts flying around. We eventually arrived in Scarborough around 1430. We were all quite tired (very) and in need of a sit down which happened to be a pub. It was not the best but ‘any port in a storm’. From there we walked into the shopping area and had purchased some clothing from GoOutdoors. We had a pub booked for an evening meal for 1830 near to the camp site. We caught the 1700 bus to the village of Gristhorpe where the pub was and by 1800 were seated for a meal. We had four good meals with Graham’s being an amazing steak pie. By 1930 we were walking back to our motorhomes. We decided on the way to have a separate evening and an early night.

Thursday 18th September (Day 6)

Today we decided to start promptly and catch the 0953 to Scarborough. So breakfast, shower etc earlier than normal. Arriving at the bus stop in good time and  we boarded the 13 Coasthopper at the time it should have appeared. Then we found that the bus was rammed and we only just managed to get a seat. Just over twenty five minutes later we arrived at Scarborough. Next was the X93 or X94 to Whitby. It arrived at Scarborough within twenty minutes and we boarded for the sixty-ish minute journey. It was a single decker and was rammed again. That said it was a nice journey with lovely views, including seeing the damage caused to the moorland by the recent wild fires. On our arrival in Whitby we walked along the river to the seafront and had a coffee. We then climbed up to the top of the cliffs and walked along towards Sandsend about two miles away. This involved walking down again to the promenade and then, eventually, along the sandy beach. The tide was still coming in so, occasionally, one or other of us had to scoot away from the oncoming waves. Arriving at Sandsend we had a lovely light lunch in The Hart Inn. Chris and I had the most delightful fresh crab sandwiches. While I use the term light lunch Graham ended up with a very large light lunch. We then caught a bus back to Whitby itself to start the return journey. The X94 soon arrived and we boarded and, it was not crammed. Off we went for the hours trip to Scarborough. All went well to start with. However, part way we had totally stationary traffic with vehicles turning around to retrace their steps. It turned out that a concrete lorry had overturned and it was clear it would not be resolved for hours. There is only one ‘A’ road between Whitby and Scarborough. Our bus driver turned around and made his way back towards Whitby on a ‘diversion’ route. Eventually he stopped and contacted his base. They agreed we would re-route via Pickering. This was a nearly forty mile diversion and was a great scenic route. So two and a half hours later we arrived at Scarborough. In less than ten minutes, with a very necessary stop for the loo, we got on the 13 Coasthopper back to the site. So today leaving at 0930 and getting back by 1900 made it a long, but great day.

Friday 19th September (Day 7)

Today we are off to Bridlington to an MCC Yorkshire rally at the Royal Yacht Club. We left the Blue Dolphin site at 1010. It was then only a thirty minute journey to Bridlington. On the route we both stopped at a Morrisons for supplies and arrived at the rally site at 1145. Dave and Gill arrived yesterday with their friends, Roy and Christine. We said our ‘hellos’ and then we had a light lunch. While doing so Su and Alan arrived. A general chat and catch up standing in the field until around 1430 when we all went for a walk along the wide sandy beach away from the town (all except Su and Alan). After a couple of miles we returned to the site and sat in the sunshine, which the weather forecast states may be the last of the weekend. Dinner was planned for 1830. Before eating we sat in our own motorhomes to watch the first semi final of the women’s World Rugby Championship. It is New Zealand versus Canada. Canada won 31 - 12 with the New Zealand team losing a knockout competition for the first time since 1991! Then we cooked the fajitas and it went then into Chris and Graham’s motorhome for games and a chat. Bed around 2245

Saturday 20th September (Day 8)

The weather forecast today is meant be horrible. We took the Quest down first thing so we did not end up putting it away soaking. After breakfast we chilled in the motorhome as it was miserable outside. We sat around reading etc until we had a light lunch around 1245. Then at 1345 we walked the two miles into town to the Apollo pub as the our destination as they stated they would be showing the England rugby Semi-Final. True to their commitment they did and we watched the English Roses struggle to a win against France, 35-17. Straight after the match we started our return journey but the weather was not very nice so the Park and Ride was our option. This means only a 500m walk back to the site. We sat around and had a light evening meal, while watching strictly come dancing. The weather got progressively worse to the point it was very heavy rain with a driving wind. While watching tv Chris asked us to help get their quest down. The roof had already collapsed in. We had to remove the chairs and tables and then get it down. We didn’t put it in the bag but just into the garage as the wind now was unbelievable. Having got the quest away a lady from a few vans up asked for help which we gave. The wind now was stronger than a strong thing in a strong place, with driving rain. We got back in soaked through. A single game of the train game and then bed. During the game and into the night the wind, gusting at 50mph, rocked the van.

Sunday 21st September (Day 9)

After the wind and rain it was a sunny start to the day which actually continued, although with a brisk breeze. At 0930 we met up with Chris, Graham, Masie, Chris’ brother Gary and his wife Angela plus their dog Henry. We walked about 1500m along the beach to ’The Cowshed’ which was much nicer than the name would suggest. Here we had our breakfast. And a nice breakfast it was - even the sausages were tasty and not the usual ‘plastic’ rubbish. We then returned to the site and sat around inside for a while. At about 1300 Chris and I decided to walk into Bridlington to have a look around. It was nice town but nothing exceptional. At 1500 we met the others, ten of us in all, for a Sunday Carvery Roast. What followed was a really nice carvery with a really good choice of vegetables - about ten in all. After the meal Graham wanted to watch the Arsenal .v. Man City football game. So back to The Apollo. After the match we left all the others to go back to the motorhome as at least two of our sons were due to contact us. EWe spoke to Richard and then eventually Matt contacted us by text confirm we would meet them in Parbold village for an hour starting at 1300. When Graham and Chris returned they came in for one game of the Train Game before we all retired to bed.

Monday 22nd September (Day 10)

So a trip to Parbold near to Mawdesley is planned, where Matt, Liv and Gia live. we sorted our waste and filled with some fresh water, then said our goodbyes. By 0930 we had left. The journey is about 150 miles and just under three hours so we should have arrived at 1230 in good time. We had a reasonably good run. However, the M60 just two miles before we needed to leave it was almost stationary. A quick look at the route and we left the motorway early and took a small diversion. It added about twenty minutes to our original time but took off thirty plus minutes from the original route with the traffic issue. It meant we arrived and parked up in a back street at 1250. Hey ho still in time. however, the Son, daughter-in-law to be and grandchild were late but only by about ten minutes. We had a snack and a coffee in a local Café / bar. The food was really nice. At just after 1400 we said our goodbyes so Matt could go to the doctors and the other two back home to finish packing and sorting for their trip to Spain for four weeks. We identified a pub for tonight stop, The Plum Pudding in Armitage, on the Trent and Mersey canal. It was very close to the main road but a good stop, it would appear. The weather was very pleasant and so we went for a short walk along the canal. On our return we had a pint sitting in the sunshine by the canal before around 1800 returning inside the motorhome. A ‘big boys breakfast in a roll’ for an evening meal and then tv until bed.

Tuesday 23rd September (Day 11)

Home today. This stop was not the best as the road noise was quite intrusive. Anyway by 0945 we were off and had a good journey home arriving at abut 1300