We avoided the mass gatherings in Whitby with a great 6 mile stroll along the Cleveland Way coastal path, delightful! It starts and ends with 199 steps up to St Mary’s church - if you ever get the chance, go in. Box pews, a pulpit so high there’s no fear of contradiction and a woodturning stove in the middle of the nave. Wonderful. We came across a superb cafe, the Hornblower, only accessible from the coastal path. And back into town where I followed a t-shirt with the text “Corrosion of Conformity” which entertained my thinking for quite a while. I didn’t know they were an American heavy metal band. 

After much arm-twisting we managed to blag a seat for tonight in the local Spanish, French, English, Greek tapas bar .... I guess we’ll have to forgo the chips tonight. Apparently there are 22 chip shops in Whitby, the unofficial chip shop capital of England. 500 local residents made the news last year when they fought, and lost, plans for the latest chip shop opening. 

I love Whitby!

Extras of the views from the coastal path & a very high pulpit.