A day for visiting pubs.  Well after doing some walking of course.  We reached Staithes at  lunchtime in need of food and drink.  Drink came first – The Captain Cook Inn is currently having a bit of a refurb, we managed to get a seat in the window alcove and could see out towards the sea as we supped our drinks.  Having enjoyed a drink we then needed food. The only Fish & Chip ‘shop’ in Staithes is a van up near the pub.  We got ours wrapped and headed all the way down to the harbour where we ate our fish and chips, with a few people wondering where we’d managed to get them from – it’s strange that the fish and chip shop that used to be  in the Harbour closed down. It’s a steep climb back up to the car park, but worth the wander.

From there we headed to Beckhole, a cute hamlet tucked away. The Birchall Inn is the smallest pub I’ve ever visited, consisting of two tiny bar areas and (perfect for the kids) a little sweet shop. There’s a little garden area at the top of some steps which has a wide variety of feathered friends.

Having spent the day before visiting Robin Hoods Bay (which is a lovely quaint place to visit), we received an invite to go along with Carrie’s parents and be shown some of the local places. The first place we were introduced to was Sandsend – We parked in a little carpark at the far end of Sandsend and did a lovely walk that had some great views.

what a view - and I've learnt how to stand unaided

After wandering along the old train track (disused now) to the tunnel that had been blocked off we headed back to the car and was taken to our next destination. On the way we did a slight detour and was shown the most amazing view which looked down upon a man-made lake.

Now that's a stunning view

Then we arrived at Cropton – We stopped at the The New Inn pub and had the most delicious lunch (mmmm chips) and sampled a few of the beers which are brewed in the Cropton brewery that ‘s attached to the pub. And for the beers you don’t get to try, you can see if they’ve got any bottled to take away.

On our second day, having had a lazy start we walked to Whitby. Our plans were to have a wander round and walk the 199 steps to the Abbey.

Bob wonders if his legs can cope with the walk back down.

The view from which is great (if a little windy) and the excersise means they’ll be room for a fish and chip lunch mmmm. Obviously you’ll need to have a drink to wash down all the grub and our favourite place is The Jolly Sailor, which is a Samuel Smith’s Pub, so it means good beer at a bargain price.

MMMMMmmmmmm beer, that's what Bob likes best

We decided that having not visited the area for a few years we’d head back up to Whitby to spend some time camping. My parents first introduced us to the Whitby area after they’d spent many years going on holiday there themselves and so a few years back we decided that we’d see what they were so entranced by. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to go back again. We went up on the Thursday and my parents would be coming up on the Saturday, which meant we had a few days to mill around and do some walking before being shown the sites and pubs (yay for pubs)

Having got there on the Thursday, we set up our tent on the Beacon Farm campsite (which is a great place to stay if you like ice-cream) and drove into Whitby – this meant we could get food and have a look around, Bob was particuarly thrilled to see a tall ship, The Grand Turk.

Bob and the Grand Turk

Just returned from a great time camping.  We packed our tent and other bits and bobs and headed for the Pinewoods Holiday Park in Wells-next-the-Sea.  The holiday park has an area which is just for tents  named ‘The Horse Paddock’.  You pick where ever you want to pitch your tent and are left to it.  There are portaloos in the Paddock area and toilet/shower/washing up blocks are situated throughout the rest of the site.  Personally I prefer the Paddock, we can tuck ourselves away in the furthest corner and not be bothered by anyone. For those that haven’t been to Wells, it’s approximately a mile from the harbour area to the beach area (which is where pinewoods can be found) It’s a lovely walk and it’ll make you feel like you’ve earned your fish and chips, best bought from the well known French’s, nearly always a queue, but well worth the wait. yum yum.

Whenever you visit Wells be sure to visit Whin Hill Cider (as long as you like cider that is) Great cider, tastes so good and staff are so friendly (especially Fred!)

For the first time this year we used the little train.

Rob on the Train

The train goes from the Harbour to the campsite.  You pay per person and depending upon whether you’re an adult or a child (dogs go on for free, well our little puppy did )  It’s great for those that would find it a struggle to walk that far or who don’t want to take the car. (you have to pay to park at the beachside car parks)  The beach is plenty big enough and on the majority of it you can take doggies all year round.

On the way back, we always have to pop into Hunstanton (aka Sunny Hunny) – for a lookey around and a beer and a donut – best donut stand can be found at the bottom of the green overlooking the sea. great prices and great taste.  We found a lovely pub overlooking the sea, had lovely local beer.

We’ve got a new addition to our family who’s going to be joining us on our wanderings.  Rob decided to introduce himself.

Daisy is our little puppy, she’s 12 weeks old now and is a JackChi (Jack Russell cross Chihuahua).  We’ve had her for 3 weeks now, wouldn’t be without her.

Daisy & Rob

Not sure who’s gonna be looking after who (fortunately Daisy has obviously decided that Rob is a friend and not food).

We found out that it wasn’t just boozehounds congregating in Stoke Bruerne but there was some kind of Morris dancing competition at the locks.

This amused the chihuaua and four year old that were walking with us for a good 10 minutes before we decided that mad people with big sticks drinking lots near deep water was probably going to end badly and headed of on our walk. Our four year old nephew knows the way we roll and there was bound to be a pub half way round the walk so conveniently timed the ‘i’m hungry, thirsty and need a wee routine with the approach to Shutlanger. Terrible shame then that we had to stop for a quick beer (nice little Charles Wells pub selling Rick Stein seafood menu).

The second leg of the walk went well with beer in our bellies, especially when we found a crop of broad beans that were so tasty when we were sampling them that we ‘rescued’ a few for our dinner (sorry Mr Farmer). Decided to watch a few boats go through the lock before returning home which meant we could sample the beer delights of the Boat Inn (fantastic little pub).

If you want an afternoon out walking, drinking and avoiding mad people with sticks check out Stoke Bruerne!

Rob went to his first Gig last night.

Having seen Johnny Foreigner before, we knew Rob would enjoy it. So along we went to The Roadmender and to make things even better it was in the backroom!!!  As soon as we got there Rob wanted to join in.  He decided that if he could have a go on the drums that would be fun.

Bob on the drums (standing that is)

The support band was Calories and they were really good.

Then Johnny Foreigner came on and were really, really good (loved the last gig of theres and loved this one as well).  Had a fantastic time great mix of old and new stuff.

One of the nice things with the back room gigs is that members of the band always seem to come and watch each other in amongst the audience (well they have done each time I’ve been)  After they’d finish there set, Rob and I went over to Alexei and explained about Bob’s blog and asked if he’d be willing to have his photo taken with Rob – which he was.

Alexei & Rob coolin down after the gig

So to sum up Rob’s first gig was an absolute success and hopefully Johnny Foreigner will come back to Northampton again.

So pleased to be able to announce the arrival of little uns in the nest – Bob must be doing something right, he’s kept them safe from danger so far. Only got one piccy to show as didn’t want to risk causing any upset.

ahhhhhh - looks like someones a bit peckish

I’t would seem that they may like Robs crazy hair do as it seems like they may going for the crazy look as well.

So we’ve (that’s Bob and Carrie) been watching the Robin’s make their nest since the beginning of the year and hoping that they’ll be content with their new home.

Today whilst they had both left the nest, Bob and I took the opportunity to see if there was anything happening.
Imagine Bob and I’s excitement when we saw this.

Bob & I discovered the eggs

It was at this point that Bob decided that as we kept having cats visiting our garden that he’d better keep a lookout.

Bob is on the case (well in the ivy)

I told Bob to let me know the minute the Robin returned to the nest, which he did.

De Robin is in Da house

Here’s hoping that the eggs get to hatch and the little ‘uns get the chance to grow into healthy adult robins.