Thursday 31 October 2019

October Catch Up

Somehow we've arrived at the end of October and although I'm often saying how fast a week or month has gone by, this time I really mean it. I feel as though I've fallen a whole week behind. Time to take a breath and catch up on what I've been up to recently.
At the beginning of our half-term week we took a trip to the coast and enjoyed an overnight stay, enabling us to visit Sandsend, Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby.












On our arrival we were treated to some wonderfully bracing, autumnal sea air. It was blowing a hoolie, which made sure any lingering cobwebs were immediately blown away. Following an invigorating walk along the shore at Sandsend, we were more than happy to warm ourselves with a hot drink, whilst gazing out to sea from the shelter of the beach café. It was just the kind of autumn weather I was hoping for when I booked for this time of year and I wasn't disappointed. Later on I treated myself to two small Christmas tree decorations from a nearby store but I've hidden them away for the time being.
Even though we were only away for one night, it felt like longer and we had a lovely time exploring the area. In Whitby the town's gothic vibe lent itself perfectly to the time of year and many of the shop windows were decorated in a spooktacular fashion. We wandered the narrow cobbled streets and, of course, the 199 steps, which lead to St. Mary's Church. We spent a while on Tate Hill Beach where Lily kindly gave her latest stick to an adorable dog named Rocky, which made him very happy. In Robin Hood's Bay we followed the Sea Wall trail towards the shore and spent sometime at the Old Coastguard's Station before making the steep climb back through the village.  With all the walking we did, it meant we definitely earned our fish and chip supper, which was absolutely delicious. I'm convinced fish and chips taste so much better when eaten by the sea.

Our second trip of the week was to Allan Bank National Trust property in Grasmere. Although, not a conventional property, it had been beautifully decorated for Hallowe'en both indoors and out, with an array of crafts and activities available for children.





















With big sisters on hand to join in the fun, we had a great day out. Again, the weather was perfectly autumnal and the grounds were a stunning backdrop for the pumpkin trail, where we had to hunt for the different carved pumpkins along the paths and draw their faces, in order to win a chocolate ghost. 🎃 We even braved walking alongside the haunted graveyard and through the spine-tingling tunnel, but it was fine, just the right amount of spooky. 👻






As usual, we've been enjoying our regular woodland walks close to home and there are becoming an ever increasing amount of leaves to kick through. I always look forward to the pumpkin display each year. 🎃













On Sunday we visited Aira Force. Our original plans had been thwarted due to some (now resolved) car issues, but as substitutes go I couldn't complain, and it was so lovely to see the falls in all their autumn glory 🍁🍂🍃 and we even managed to spot a red squirrel. 
We enjoyed our walk followed by a picnic and might have indulged in a hot chocolate at the nearby café. Another wonderful day full of life's simple pleasures.




Today is Hallowe'en and this evening we will be carving (yet) another pumpkin to put outside the front door in anticipation of receiving small visitors 🎃 and Lily is very excited to dress up as a skeleton.
Today is also Mog's four year adoption anniversary. Doesn't she look thrilled? 😸
J. X

54 comments:

  1. I've never been to Whitby. It looks quaint but spooky at the same time. No wonder Bram Stoker got plenty of inspiration for his Dracula story when he stayed there. Have to say I'm wondering where all your dry sunny days came from in October lol. The rest of the country seems to have been under a permanent cloud.

    Love all the pumpkins, the girls did good. Hope Lily enjoys Halloween and dressing up. Mog's face seems to say "whatever amuses them" haha.

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    1. I think you'd love it in Whitby, Suzanne. It had been while since our last visit and we always enjoy our time there. They have amazing fish and chips as well :)
      Mog is very tolerant. X

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  2. oh yes, definitely thrilled, hehe. Cats are so funny. She is humouring you.I am sure she has you well trained.

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    1. Mog is a good cat. We feel lucky to have her. X

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  3. What a lovely time you've had! We love Whitby and have holidayed around the area many times. I love all the tiny back streets and all the steps. Your country walks so refreshing and invigorating. We love walking along the prom or on the beach, but some times I think it'd be nice to walk in the woods and countryside too. Best, Jane x

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    1. It's a lovely area isn't it, with such an interesting history. X

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  4. I find your posts very therapeutic. Wondering why I decided it was because you are either renewing my acquaintances with places I once knew so well (Grasmere for example where, amongst many other things, I was treated by the Doctor in the bar of the Grasmere Hotel, for a broken collar bone having fallen off my horse on the path from Patterdale (?) over Helvellyn) or places I have never been (like Whitby). You write in a very calming way too.

    Big sisters?

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    1. I suppose there are worse places you could have been treated :) I trust you made a full recovery.
      It makes me happy to know you enjoy my ramblings, much as I enjoy reading of your beloved Scotland. Sisters? Yes. They had no intention of missing out on the spooky fun. X

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  5. Glorious photos Jules....I can almost smell the Autumn air.
    Until we went to Tintagel a couple of weeks ago I had never been to the seaside in the Autumn and I loved it. A walk on the beach is much more invigorating and enjoyable without hot sun beating down on your head......and the hot drink afterwards is very nice too.
    Have a spooky Halloween.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. We'd never visited Whitby at this time of year before and I had hoped we would be treated to some wild seas and blustery winds. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Tintagel. X

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  6. I love that area of coast. Whitby is a favourite but I love Sandsend too, so much beach, and Archie loves it there too, there's so much space for him to run around and it never gets crowded. You've enjoyed some wonderful days out, made all the better when the sun shines. Happy adoption anniversary to Mog.

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    1. It's a lovely area isn't it, and it was good to see so many dogs out running on the sands, now that the summer restrictions have been lifted. X

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  7. -happy sigh- You live in breathtakingly beautiful countryside.... So, so, so beautiful...

    Like the handmade besom, at the door, at your second place, to visit. -smile-

    Enjoy your Halloween... Samhain...

    😊 😊 😊

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    1. Thank you, WoW. We try to make the most of the beautiful countryside around us and always enjoy spending time outdoors. X

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  8. I absolutely love Whitby, Robins Hood Bay and the Scarborough coastline. We even found a piece of jet on the beach there. My friend lives in a village just outside Scarborough and she is extremely knowledgeable about the area. I remember visiting some churchyard with her to write down historical names as she was writing a book. As you stand on the site of the abbey you can see were the inspiration came from for Dracula. As always Jules your photos are amazing. X

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    1. It's a stunning area of coastline and I'm so glad we took the opportunity to visit when we did, but I've never been lucky enough to find any jet.
      We didn't visit the abbey this time, although we enjoyed a look around on our last trip. X

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  9. Great photos. As I am a Yorkshire lass was good to see some old haunts. I couldnt do Robin Hoods Bay now! But I have done so thanks for the memories.

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    1. Thank you, Jill. That climb is rather steep, isn't it. X

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  10. Lovely photos, as always, Jules! I enjoyed seeing them. Mog looks very regal with her pumpkin crown! I'm amazed to see how calmly she is waiting! Happy Halloween to you and yours!

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    1. Thank you, Bless. I think Mog was too tired to object. X

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  11. Great photos and a grand half term week doing lots of different things.

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  12. It sounds like you had some good times, I'm glad the weather was nice for you. I like Whitby and love Sandsend though I wasn't terribly impressed with Robin Hood's Bay when we went - all that way down a steep hill and there's nothing there when you get to the bottom except a pub and an ice cream van on the beach then you have to walk all the way back up again :( It's 13 years since we went though and it was a very dull day so maybe if I went again on a sunny day my opinion might change.

    Your photos are lovely as always, I like them all especially the one with the wooden bridge and railings, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be the one of Mog - I don't know how you managed to get her to stay still for that one! :)

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    1. We enjoyed the break, Eunice. I do try to balance our days out with some down time, however, as I don't like to be rushing around, fitting too much in.
      In Robin Hood's Bay I felt a bit sad that there are a few empty business premises, although we did enjoy our walk along the sea wall down to the shore, and we saw what could have been the worlds fattest sparrow on our walk back through the village! :D The views are lovely, however and wandering the narrow, cobbled back lanes it's not difficult to imagine how life would have been there years ago. X

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  13. Such fun photos. The clouds are just gorgeous. That area is breathtaking.

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  14. Gorgeous pictures as ever. I haven't been to Whitby for years, I used to drive up that way with Dan when we were first together, living in York.

    Wishing you many more years with your lovely Mog.

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    1. Thank you, TD. Maybe you should take another trip and reminisce. X

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  15. A wonderful selection of photos. The autumn colours in your corner are glorious. Lots of lovely place visited too. Thank you for my virtual visit. Have a great weekend. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. I enjoyed the break and feel lucky I got to visit some beautiful places. X

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  16. Your photos are so beautiful, capturing those special places and moments.

    I used to live near Whitby, such a beautiful part of the world.

    I hope you life slows down a bit for November and you are able to catch you breath.

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    1. It is a lovely area and I feel glad we were able to visit at this time of year. X

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  17. What a very splendid little break - love your photos of Whitby, somewhere I keep meaning to go to in the van and have not yet followed through . . .

    I enjoyed Allen bank a few years ago and was glad to see it had not been "National-Trust-ified".

    As for Mog . . . aw bless, happy anniversary sweet puss. xx😺💚

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. We had a great time and you can understand why I was relieved my hip managed to sort itself out. Do take the van over for a trip. I'm sure you'd love it there. X

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  18. Beautiful.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  19. I've just caught up with your October posts. It looks very, very beautiful, and I'm glad you had sunshine and such lovely outings during half term. I'm not a fan of modern Halloween but my heart is softening towards pumpkins, and Mog wears it so well! I am, however, a fan of Whitby and thank you for reminding me of that. x

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    1. Thank you, we really enjoyed our break and embracing all things autumn. X

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  20. Wow, wow, wow - what an amazing set of photos, Jules. You really do have an eye for this photography lark. We were in Whitby for a day in September and liked it so much that we want to go and spend a longer time there.

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. I remember reading about your visit just after I'd booked for our stay there. I hope you get the opportunity to visit Whitby again soon and maybe next time you will get to climb the steps. X

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  21. New to your blog and just love it....beautiful photos.
    Phyllis

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    1. Thank you, Phyllis. It's lovely to see you here and thank you for introducing yourself. X

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  22. I feel like I have been on a good walk looking at your beautiful photos. The coast around Whitby is one of my favourites and our nearest - I have some very similar photos. Sandsend used to be a place where few people went and we would take our girls when little because we had the beach to ourselves - now it is quite bustling with tourists and holiday makers.

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    1. It is a wonderful stretch of coastline. Very picturesque. I imagine Sandsend gets very busy during the summer months, although it was lovely and quiet while we were there. X

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  23. Fabulous post, you have some really stunning snapshots there.

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    1. Thank you, Susanne. I'm happy you enjoyed it. X

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  24. What incredible countryside! A place like Robin Hood's Bay sounds intriguing and rich in history with a name like that; a place I'd love to visit. Love the pumpkins and the photo of Mog with one atop her head:) Meg

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    1. It has so much history, Meg. Tales of smugglers and shipwrecks. X

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  25. Oh wow!
    Thank you … your photographs are a delight to see.

    Wishing you happy November days.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Although I didn't realise I had shared quite so many of them. :)

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    1. Thank you, Jackie. We were fortunate to visit some really lovely places. X

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