>A WEEK AWAY IN AUGUST!

The north, the south - and the bit in the middle!
22 - 31 August 09


A visit to Lincoln Cathedral - A trip over the Humber Bridge
Just one of the great tacky shops in Scarborough
Alex takes a paddle in the North Sea ...brrrr


www.realyorkshire.co.uk
www.isleofwighttouristguide.com

...It's summer holiday time again! This year we decided to the fashionable thing - stay in the UK and explore what our beautiful coast line has to offer... both north, and south of London!

A typically mixed bag of summer weather could not dampen our spirits as we enjoyed our 'stay-cation'! It went a little like this:

Saturday 22 August - We drive from London to Lincoln and explore the pretty old heart and spectacular Cathedral. We then venture over the Humber bridge and drive up the coast to the seaside town of Scarborough. We stay with Kay and Nigel in a very comfy caravan!
Sunday 23 August - Up early and off to track down some bargains at a huge car boot sale just outside of Scarborough - brilliant fun. Later we walk around Scarborough and visit some of the top notch 'old-skool' joke shops and emporiums of tat! Heaven! During the evening we manage to dip our toes into the north sea - brrrrrr!


We enjoy a night in Durham - The beautiful butterflies of Flamborough
A dose of fresh sea-air up on Flamborough Head


Monday 24 August - Another early start! - we drive to Flamborough head and enjoy a great walk around the spectacular headland - butterflies everywhere! We also have a giggle at the hilarious Scarecrows. Next stop Bridlington! - we meet up with Dave's Dad John, and his friend Jean, for fish and chips on the quay - then off again to enjoy a night in Durham.
Tuesday 25 August - We leave Durham and head north to visit Adam and Jan Foster and their children Elspeth and Harry - we enjoy a great afternoon of catching up in the sun! - Off again, we drive down to Rotherham and stay over night.
Wednesday 26 August - An early start on the road to London - luckily we manage to escape the bad weather that had been forecast and arrive in Greenwich just after midday. A frantic un-packing session then over to Lewisham to pick up some last minute part props for my Dads 70th!


The stars of the Flamborough Scarecrow Trail
...all inspired by famous songs and singers!


Thursday 27 August - No rest for the wicked!... Up and pack for part two of our trip. We catch the train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central - then wizz across the Solent to the Isle of Wight on Red-Jet 4. Drop off our luggage at Mum and Dad's then back down to Cowes to enjoy an evening with our chums Mark and Helen Bailey at 'Manuels'... (and very good it was too)...
Friday 28 August - We enjoy a walk into Cowes along the seafront and have a stroll through the Town. In the afternoon we walk over to the cliffs between Thorness and Gurnard and pick loads of delicious blackberries... a really relaxing few hours away from it all!
Saturday 29 August - Dads 70th Birthday today! A fun day in the Garden with Lauren - making decorations and blowing up millions of balloons in preparation for the Birthday party on Sunday. In the evening we bar-b-q some fresh sea bass and enjoy a few drinkies! (Cheers!)
Sunday 30 August - Weather is typically un-summery! All hands on deck to get the 'Coach House' ready for Dad's party. Up go the various marquees and water proof awnings... (we are ready for what ever summer has to throw at us)... The party was brilliant fun!
Monday 31 August - Bank Holiday, and the sun is out... Lovely day. A trip to Compton Bay is a must! We soak up some summer sun - and even manage a quick paddle! The clock keeps ticking and soon it is time to leave the Island and head home to Greenwich - a few minutes left to squeeze in a sneaky beer by the river as the sun sinks behind Canary Wharf... That's it, holiday over and very nice it was too!


We go blackberry picking on the Isle of Wight
The stormy skies over Gurnard, looking towards Southampton
Dave enjoys a paddle at sunny Compton Bay
Finally... the sun shines on the day we head home to London


10 out of 10