We had 2 weeks in Iceland in October, a week in Whitby in November, and we have a week in Northumberland booked for the end of January into February. But, why not add a week in Scarborough as well? And that's exactly what we did.
I had no holiday left to take, so I would be working 3 of the days we were here, but that's one of the reasons I had looked for somewhere in Scarborough as it would mean that Donna would be able to get out and about whilst I am logged onto work, as she knows the area so well.
I had always wanted to stay up on the Esplanade, and found a lovely 2nd storey apartment looking out to sea, a perfect way to spend the New Year period.
We had a walk after unpacking on the Friday evening, it started with stars in the sky, and ended with us getting a bit of a soaking, but never mind it was just good to get out for an hour after the drive up here later afternoon.
And then onto Saturday, and as the forecast was for rain all afternoon it was best that we didn't leave our walk too late. So around 11am we set off for a walk down onto the south-bay and spent a few hours just taking in the fresh air. It did rain whilst we were out but not that bad until the last hour or so, and we were well wrapped up which Donna needed to be as she was full of cold.
Of course, we had to visit the Harbour Bar. Donna had her usual Knickerbocker Glory, and I had the 'Mega' cone, which in all fairness, although enjoyable, I had made a mistake in ordering and it was embarrassingly large! By around 2pm we were back at the apartment drying off our clothes, that's us in for the day.
New Year's Eve was forecast to be dry until around tea-time, and then rain on and off as we head into 2024. Better then that we got out and about earlier, rather than later. So around 10am we headed out of the apartment, and set off towards the far end of the North Bay. The town was starting to get fairly busy, people here both for the fact that it was a Sunday and no doubt a few for New Year.
As we headed around Marine Drive, the number of 'campers' parked up was amazing, as was the number of their owners who were out on their surfboards. A slight breeze and low waves, was I guess perfect for surfing. We stopped for a drink and a bite to eat at Sandside Cafe then headed back the few miles to the apartment, where Donna cooked up a lovely Sunday lunch.
The afternoon would be spent relaxing in the apartment, and then hopefully I will be able to stay awake so we can head down to the beach later this evening, ready for the firework display as the clock strikes 12.
Surprisingly for me, I managed to stay up in readiness for the switch to 2024. Normally I am in bed by 9pm, and often before, but today I fought off the tiredness like a Gladiator!
We headed out at 11pm and had a walk around a fairly busy South Bay, and by midnight we looked towards the Spa and nothing. We waited a little longer still nothing. So not sure what the issue was, but the promoted fireworks display didn't happen. Thankfully though, a few people were setting their own off along the beach so it wasn't a wasted walk out into the dark of the night.
I had expected to be late waking on New Year's Day, but in the end, after tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, I rolled out of bed at 9am. And by a little before 10:30am we had stepped out of the apartment and off down for the New Year Dip, a charity event where lots of people dress up in fancy dress, and as the trumpet sounds, they all race down the beach into the freezing North Sea.
And what an event it was, very big crowds, it was nice to see the resort so busy, and the weather gods were with us as we had sun and clear skies. After it had finished and people were shivering as they re-dressed, we headed off around Marine Drive again, another longish walk planned.
And just to make the day even better, we saw lots of Dolphins out to sea. They weren't that close as it was low tide, but still a joy to see them. What a day we were having. By the time we had walked back to the apartment up on the Esplanade, we had covered nearly 8 miles, and as we hadn't eaten since breakfast, it was Greggs who supplied our rations to take back to the apartment....simple pleasures.
And then to Tuesday, and back to work.....but still in Scarborough so no complaints. Donna went out for a walk late in morning, much quieter today and she enjoyed being out in the fresh air for a couple of hours. And it's nice working at the coast as it meant that we could have lunch at Lookout on the Pier next to the harbour, and then walk across the road for an ice cream from the Harbour Bar.
It was a wet day, and a very wet evening but I had itchy feet so togged up in full waterproofs and headed out for around 90 minutes. I walked down to, and around the Spa, and then along the front to the far end of the harbour and then back. Of course, I took my camera with me, managing to use a plastic bag to keep it quite dry, and hopefully managed to get a few night-scene photos. Let's see when I get them home and on the computer.
Wednesday and Thursday were working days for me, so I was 'chained' to the apartment other than going out for a meal in the evening. Donna got out both days for a long walk, about 5 miles each day which she really enjoyed. Wednesday was a little grey but dry, and Thursday provided some patches of blue sky to light up the bays. And as both days were a little windy, it was great to see the waves crashing against the sea walls.
Unfortunately, as I need to be working again at 9am Friday, we would need to travel home Thursday night.
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