Whitby to Hartlepool - Day 106

Whitby to Hartlepool - Thursday 25th August 2011 - Day 106

Whitby Harbour

It had rained heavily during the night but by 09.00 it was easing off while Jack went off to do the shopping in the nearby Co-op.  We waited for the bridge to open at noon with the holiday makers lined up on both sides of the river. They watched and sent off the little convoy of yachts passing through the bridge.  The wind was variable and light though the day was sunny.  The engine was not going to get a rest today.  This part of Yorkshire continues with its cliffs and their own rugged charm.  The fields and farms above seem to have a wonderful advantage with their views over the sea.

Staithes

Ten miles north of Whitby is the little fishing village of Staithes.  This has happy memoirs for me, for as a child with the school, we used to come here for our summer holidays. Staying at an old army camp at the top of the village.  I took Selene in as close as I could to the north breakwater, as it was here where I caught my first fish, all those years ago.  One of its attractions are there are no cars allowed in the village, one has to park at the top and for the exercise, it is a walk down and return up a steep hill.

Hartlepool Inshore Lifeboat

Crossing Tees Bay we counted twelve large ships at anchor waiting orders for entering this industrialised port with its large steel, oil and chemical plants.  While making our approach to Hartlepool the inshore lifeboat came up to us and requested with two trainees on board, if they could practice coming alongside.  Not a problem, we maintained our speed as she came up alongside in a following sea and kept nudging us off course.  Popeye (auto-helm) was not having any of this as he attempted to knock them back.  It was a privilege helping out and the lifeboat men left with a grateful wave.


Inside the piers at 18.30 and five minutes later we were in the lock and met by the cheerful lock master who directed us to our berth and we were all finished by 19.00.
Ashore to the Showroom where I watched the end of Newcastle's football game against Scunthorpe, then moved onto the King John's Tavern which brought the day to a successful end.