Cleethorpes

On Saturday, a small number of us from our walking group took the train from Sheffield across to the east coast.  A walk to Cleethorpes had been planned but first we had to get off the train in Grimsby and catch a bus to the gorgeous little village of Tetny.  As you can see, I quite enjoyed a ride on the front seat of the upper deck!!

 It was an absolutely scorchio day, and Grimsby looked worthy of further exploration - so I think I shall return another day.

 Our walk from the village took us over fields and waterways.

 Once across the fields, we couldn't resist an early stop at this gorgeous little country pub.

 Off again, and down to the coast where we walked along the sea defence wall.  One huge attraction of this walk for me was that it was very flat, but that also means that the high winter tides can come rolling well in land to the low lying villages along the coast.

 The weather was absolutely perfect and the sea breeze was lovely as we reached the beach.

 Cleethorpes lies in the Humber Estuary and is busy with large ships going to and from Hull and also the large docks at nearby Immingham.  I loved the look of these derelict sea forts.  A chap we had been talking to at the pub said that whilst he was working on the sea defences here, he had dug up lots of World War 2 memorabilia that had been discarded from the fortifications around here.

 I haven't been to Cleethorpes for years, and it has certainly changed.  The central part was very busy with families enjoying a fun filled day on the beach.  It was lovely to see it so busy.

 The beach around Humberstone was gorgeous.

 I hadn't realised that the Greenwich Meridien line ran through here either.  That was a surprise.

We had a fantastic 8.3 mile walk and ended up in town with plenty of time for another drink or two, a paddle in the sea and fish & chips before we caught our train home.  The station is slap bang in the middle of the town and on the sea front - so dead handy!  We arrived home to discover we had missed one hell of a summer storm.

Another great walk with the walking group and a fabulous day out by the sea.  Check out the groups new website - and our leaders version of the same event!!!

http://www.dvwg.org.uk/

Dinard

On our way home from the Ile de Re, we stayed overnight near to Dinard.  It was a dull day, but we managed a walk around this lovely little seaside town.

 In the late 19th century, wealthy British and American aristocrats built large villa's here to use as seaside homes.  Many of them remain - some still as huge homes and some divided into apartments.  Some are very well maintained whilst others need some work doing on them.

 They are all very stunning.

 This one was my favourite - still a huge single dwelling.  I like to imagine some faded movie star lives here - still wearing her red lipstick and Chanel suit, with a small army of maids and servants.

 I bet they we fabulous to snoop round in their hey day with amazing parties being thrown and much champagne being quaffed.

 We found this place too late in the day.

 Les Roches Brunes was left as a legacy to the people of Dinard by it's wealthy owner.  It is used as a gallery - we were too late to look around as it was just closing.

 It sits in a very enviable position on the headland.  I would so loved to have a proper nosey around.  the "Belle Epoque" style is so gorgeous.

 Some of you have asked about my camera and it's settings.  I use a very simple point and shoot Canon Power Shot SX700HS.  It has a setting that takes random special effects - like the "tilt shift" photo's use in "Sherlock" etc.  I'm sure I should be able to purposely set my camera to do this, but I haven't learned how to yet, so the special effects button will have to do for now!

 We loved our stopover in Dinard.

It was handy for catching the ferry back next day.

The Yorkshire Coastline

The Yorkshire coastline is stunning to say the least.  My pal Lyn at Everyday Life reminded me that I had not visited Bridlington for many years.  So on Saturday, hubby and I decided that a trip to the seaside was in order.

Brid (as we Yorkshire folk call it) had been one of the places that I had taken many a holiday as a child.  Since it's heyday, the town had slipped into decline (like a lot of English seaside towns) but the town is slowly getting back into it's stride, cleaning up it's act and once more is a fantastic place for families to enjoy it's beautiful beaches and some great old fashioned seaside fun.

 The beaches to the north and south of the town are stunning and easily accessible.   To the north, chalk cliffs start to appear.

 A couple of land trains work the promenade's and cliffs  - I have very fond memories of these from my childhood.

 Sewerby Hall on top of the cliffs is a great Edwardian House worthy of a visit.  We didn't have time today, but I think we may a camping weekend in Brid next year (as there was so many things we didn't get time to see).  The Hall houses a collection of Amy Johnson's possessions.  I remember seeing some of these when I was little and being captivated by them.

 We wandered over the cliffs to the Danesdyke - a truly magical place with a stunning beach.  We made a mental note to explore Danesdyke more thoroughly on our future visit.

 The cliffs eventually  take you to Flamborough - I was recently really annoyed when listening to Chris Evans on radio 2 (a sign that I am getting old!!) when he had seen a photograph in a newspaper of Flamborough and he admitted he had never heard of it.  Get out of London more Chris!!

 After our longish walk on the north side, we walked through the town to the south beach where some good old fashioned seaside fun was being had....

 ... and we watched the lifeboat being winched back in.   Unlike places that have a slope directly from the shore to sea, Brid's lifeboat sometimes has to be dragged into the sea by tractor as the tide can go way out.

 At the end of our day, we didn't want to leave, so we did a 10 minute detour in the car to see the birds at Bempton Cliffs.  The RSPB has a centre here, but when it is closed, you can still access the cliffs and the observation platforms and view what they call a "city population" of sea birds.

 I was miffed to have missed the Minke Whale - that would have truly made my my day!

 But the jaw dropping spectacle of these amazing cliffs teeming with thousands upon thousands of stunning seabirds was awesome enough.

 The Puffins have all gone, but the Gannets are still here making an almighty racket!

 The signs told us that their heads get more yellow in mating season to make themselves more attractive.  Gannets also have one mate for life.

 The babies eat so much that when they are ready to fly, they are too heavy, so they slide down into the sea and float around for about 10 days until they have lost some weight!

 Again, we need to revisit here with more time.

 The views from Bempton up to Filey and Scarborough are utterly beautiful.  You can just make out the "keep" of the Scarborough Castle on the photo below.

I'm already studying the diary to see when we can go back!