Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Whitby - the end

Friday morning was miserable. Raining and misty. Drove Dan back to Scarborough so he could catch his bus back and saw nothing. Just mist.

Got back, and went for a walk up to the Abbey and Church. Love the Church.

 Lots of little boxes for people to sit in - all marked with names, or groups, such as this one, and if you look carefully you can see that it's my place as well!



The view is fantastic from up here, and the sun had begun to come out.




After a walk down the Abbey Steps, a drink in the Shambles  and a mooch round the East Side, it was up to the Spa for the workshop showcase. This is where all of the workshops which have been happening all week show off what they've learned. Some friends had been in the Playing for dancing workshop, and some in the longsword.




The parade sets off ay 4.30, always led by the garland, made from heather collected from the moors that morning

 and carried by a sword team, who traditionally mange a few halves of beer as they pass pubs on the way. This year it was Goathland Plough Stots.


After the procession Stu and I dashed off to The Colisuem to catch Dave Burland, one of my favourite singers - lovely voice and so relaxed.


We were lucky to catch the end of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan's set as well.

And at last we managed some Pie and Mash. From the Pie and Mash shop of course. We carried it home, and it made a good dinner after we'd packed.

Then it was off for a pint in The Elsinore and off to the Spa for the final ceilidh. Packed as usual, and we got lots of dancing in. Some of us snuck out to see Bernard Wrigley in the Theatre - he was great. So funny.

Finally, the garland came in, the Plough Stots guarded it,


and we all sang Wild Mountain Thyme.




Got a piece of heather and strolled back. For a nightcap of course.

Saturday we were up early and slightly the worse for wear, but managed a coffee in town, a walk round the shops, and lunch at our normal spot, The Crooked Billet.

The end of a great week - good weather most of the time, some really enjoyable concerts, lots of dancing and good company. Accommodation already booked for next year!




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