OH I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE

A picture of Emily reading this blog site


The start of a new month deserved something special. The Rolls' family were in Whitby for the week so I put forward the idea to Colin to drive there for a day. We could take Bella with us. I wondered whether she had ever seen the sea! The plan was set. Bruce and Nickie did the research and found out that a walk to Sandsend was on the cards for Wednesday. By 6am we were on our way. I messaged John and Pete at 9am and hoped the weather was as good as it was in Macclesfield and wished them a great day. We arrived in Whitby and parked the car at 9.20am. Bella had been as good as gold as though she knew she was in for a treat. The planned walk was at 11am, so first we visited Bruce and Nic's cottage for toast and tea and caught up with Emily May (how she has grown - she does a good impression of a sleeping grand-dad) and Helen and Liam.

Then off to our meeting place near the bandstand on the pier. (The very same bandstand where Colin's illustrious musical career came to a shuddering- shivering halt) Pete saw us first, John followed a few minutes later. It was worth the trip and a million pounds just to see their faces when they caught sight of us. Bella had a ball. She loved the freedom of her run on the beach and she was an instant attraction for the grandchildren who fussed over her and pleaded with their parents for a dog just like Bella. At Sandsend, the family took over the gardens of a local pub, and lunch was very welcome. We retraced our steps to Whitby, and sat on the beach, while the mad ones in the family (surely this is sufficient evidence for them to be certified) swam in the extremely cold North Sea. Then back to John and Pete's for afternoon tea, a natter and a rest.

Before leaving, we joined in the family dinner at Kipper Cottage and deprived someone of their extra sausages, mash and baked beans. This was followed by a beautiful cheesecake which Helen made and promised to bring the recipe to Australia - even though the gesture was clearly aimed at reducing the intake of jelly.

The visit was completed by the ritual Rolls family photo on the Abbey steps. The 21st year of visits and photographs and Emily May's first. We understand Pete is compiling an historical photo album which he thinks will sell like Harry Potter. What a great day. It was an easy drive home until the talking nav sat (the male version) got a little lost. In fairness to him, we both get confused with some of the signage over here. It is different from ours. I wonder what confusion it brings to drivers from foreign countries!!! How will we go in France and Italy??? As they say in France, "zer eez nossing verse zan effin ossipoms"

Bella had visited every corner of Whitby beach and needed a rest.

And then a drink - John Smiths

She made a token gesture at paddling, but decided, quite rightly, that the North Sea was too cold and too wet- much to her minders relief.

Happy Siblings in Whitby

The 21 st Anniversary photo of the family on the Abbey steps. Not a record number due to the trio in Thailand and the ban on the Aussie beer swillers