The Year That Was - (part 2)

So as you may have gathered we arrived safely. And what a relief it was!
After unpacking, bathing and beginning to feel more human after a 25 hour long flight it was time to tuck into the finest cuisine your lips and tastes-buds  could ever imagine. English fish and chips with a triple serving of green  fluoro steaming mushy peas. Heaven on a plate. And don't forget a good cup of Yorkshire brew. So worth the ungodly hours cooped up on an aeroplane enduring the mingling aromas of food mixed with body odours and the lovely stench that escapes the toilet every time someone emerges from the its door.


After a full tummy and a great nights sleep, which included room to stretch out in a comfy bed, lovely pillows and   a warm cosy quilt. The gang (included myself, my big boy, my brother, mother, sister and sisters friend)  were ready for some serious holidaying fun!

Our first port of call was the lovely endearing town of Whitby, this tiny coastal village sits on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors (ring a bell? The Werewolf in London). Whitby is one of my favourite places in England. It not only makes the yummiest fresh fish and chips and has the best portrait studio, hidden away down one of the narrow cobbled streets. A place i have visited with my family for over 20 years. Its a ritual to have our black and white 'old fashion' photo taken whenever we visit. This tradition started when i was 2!

 

Mum on the left, dad in the centre, my uncle on the right. And i  am the little girl. circa 1983

 Whitby is not only known for its quaint cobbled streets and rich maritime history but also for its association with Bram Stokers Dracula (insert sinister laugh here). Whitby Abbey is an iconic historic building where apparently Mr. Stoker penned his well known novel 'Dracula'... And honestly on a bleak cold day, similar to the day we visited, (it was the middle of June, welcome to an English summer) i would have thought twice about wondering around the scattered graves of the Abbey and leaving the warmth of the local cafe, to walk the misty empty streets back to my car or dwellings. Its one place that is a must to visit if your ever in the neighbourhood. 

Our next stop on our very busy itinerary (for some of the gang it was their first visit to the motherland, so there was lots to be done in 4 weeks) was Sherwood Forest!

 Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the Glen.

 Robin Hood, Robin Hood with his band of men. 

Feared by the bad, loved  by the good.

 Robin Hood Robin Hood. 

It was a lovely summers day when we visited the 'Old Oak', this ancient tree, which was propped up by stilts to help support its heavy frame was said to be over 600 years old. Remember, in the days of King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham, Sherwood Forest stretched down the entire length of England (well nearly the entire length). Because England once ruled the seven seas (oak was needed for ship building) and through progress and development the forest was slowly depleted. Leaving only the surviving woodlands in  Nottingham. So this giant oak is unlikely to be the one Robin and his merry men camped around or where he stole a sneaky kiss from maid Marion. But this oak is one of the remaining few that would have been around in the time of bows and arrows.  What would you give to see what this majestic tree has witnessed over the centuries?

Tune into part 3 for Ye Old London Town...