Celebrating The Jubilee In Yorkshire

Monday 30th April

Day 1

We finally got away at 9.30am after lots of little things went wrong, I had forgotten to top up with water, the bins needed to be put out and we had forgotten to put the washing in the dryer then Charlottes cat got out and we spent half an hour on our hands and knees under van trying to coax it out, eventually all was good and we made our way to our first stop, topping up with fuel at the Asda in Olsbury as its 10p a litre cheaper than at home, all filled up and £121.00 lighter, yes, £121.00 we got on our way, at least that should last the week.

We made good progress up the motorways until M18 where road works ground the traffic to a halt, over half an hour later we had only moved a mile, we eventually got going and after stopping for a spot of lunch we arrived at Fraisethorpe at 3.00pm to bright skies but a little cool.

Evening sunshine - Fraisthorpe Beach

Geoff and Jayne had already arrived so we parked up with them, it wasn't long before Alan and Cathy came, we sat around chatting before getting tea ready, tonight its a pre-made curry, naan and rice.

After a lazy evening, reading and chatting we had an early night.

Tuesday 31st May

Day 2

Woke at 5.30, raining so rolled over and had another couple of hours.

It was dry when we re-woke at 7.30, after getting ready I took Izzy for her morning walk, it was over cast but fairly warm, we took a walk on the beach, its always a lovely feeling walking on an almost deserted beach first thing in the morning with the smell of the salt air to fill the lungs, we were out over an hour, by the time we returned Adele had got our breakfasts, Izzy her usual Iams me my usual flying start, bacon, sausage, egg, tomato and a fried slice and a mug of coffee.

Izzy on her morning walk

We decided that we would take the hours drive up to Whitby, last time we were there it was the regatta and was rammed with people so never really got to see it, on the way we got battered with heavy rain so we were expecting a damp day but as it turned out we were wrong, not bright sunshine but warm, dry and a hint of blue skies.

We started off visiting Whitby Abbey, we went in armed with our new English Heritage cards but didn't need them as their machines were down so were let in without checking. We had a good hour or so wandering around, there were a troupe of actors performing short plays and getting the kids to be werewolfs, vampires and banshees all good fun for them but what a racket.

Whitby Abbey

We then walked down the 199 steps into Whitby itself, we planned to catch the free bus back. The town was as we remembered but with far less people about made it a pleasure to wander around. We walked over the swing bridge to the other side of the harbour, called into the magpie to get some fish and chips then sat on a bench over looking the harbour watching the fishing boats and pleasure trips going out.

199 steps - Whitby

Enjoying Fish & Chips at the Harbourside - Whitby

Fish & Chips from the Magpie

Izzy had a little turn, a mini fit really, rolling on her side and shaking her front leg, we were both quite worried but after a bit of fuss and attention she seemed to recover, it maybe the long walk down all the steps that caused her distress. After a while we took a slow walk to catch the curtious bus back to the Abbey car park only to find that it didn't run anymore, so rather than getting Izzy and Adele to walk all the way back I went back through the town up the 199 steps to the van, then drove down to the harbour to pick them up.

We returned to the Abbey car park as we had plenty of time left on the parking app, had a cup of Yorkshire tea, the sun now shining made a really pleasant end to the day, Looks like were are going to keep an eye on how much izzy walks from now on.

It was gone 4.00pm when we left to return to Fraisthorpe to meet up again with the others.

Back at the THS we started tea tonight lamb koftas with an eastern grain mix, the koftas were heavily spiced with chilli which spoilt it somewhat, after a spot of cheese we joined the gang for a chat and a drink.

Wednesday 1st June

Day 3

Woke later this morning to blue skis and sunshine, its still a bit blowy hopefully it will stay dry.

We had breakfast, our flying start then packed up to travel up the coast a little to Benton cliffs. It was almost 12.00pm by the time we got the the RSPB reserve and the car park was very full, we checked in with our new membership cards, we walked down the path towards the cliffs and noticed that it wasn't as busy as the car parking suggested.

RSPB Bemton Cliffs

Adele 'Twitching' at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

RSPB Bemton Cliffs

Puffins at RSPB Bemton Cliffs

We spent a few hours 'twitching' we saw puffins, razorbills, lots of gannets, an albatross and even a barn owl, Adele was in her element we walked miles stopping off at the numerous viewing platforms before eventually returning to the van to find Izzy still fast asleep, we had decided after yesterdays saga not to let her walk today, the van was still cool for her with skylights open and blinds down. We had a spot of late lunch before deciding not to go to Filey as planned as we would be late back to the site.

We were back by 4.00pm, just as we were setting up one of the other campers came over to say that they had stopped the steward from putting another unit on our pitch even though we had left a sign to say it was taken, we thanked her very much.

The sun still shining we sat with a gin & tonic enjoying the evening sun.

Cheers - Raising a glass in the evening sunshine

Tea tonight will be salmon with sugar snaps and potatoes with a lemon & dill sauce. After tidying up we met up with Alan, Cathy, Geoff and Jayne for coffee and a chat.

Thursday 2nd June

Day 4

Woke 7.00am, no wind, blue sky and beautiful sunshine, decided to take a walk onto the beach to get some photos whilst it was quiet, walking through the THS it was great to see everyones camper vans and caravans dressed ready for the Jubilee celebrations later, the Marshalls were getting the big marquee ready for the party.

Fraisthorpe Beach

Looking out to the North Sea

Fraisthorpe Beach

The tide was up with only a couple of dog walkers on the sands it was so peaceful I walked for some time taking video and photos and even tried a 'live' on instagram after an hour I returned to find breakfast ready.

We have decided not to travel out today but to stay on site to enjoy the atmosphere, Geoff had set up a TV so we could watch the scenes in London. We opened a bottle of fizz to toast the Queen.

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee

A 'Posh' dinner party THS style

A toast to HM Queen in a silver Jubilee goblet from 1977

Our Royal party started just after 3.00pm with nibbles, then Geoff and Jayne kicked off the meal with the starters, we followed with the mains, steak with courgettes, green beans and feta with baby roast potatoes which went down well with everyone, Alan & Cathy finished off with thier version of the platinum pudding then cheese. We had a great 'street' party, chatting all day long it was gone 9.00pm when we finished. We then went over to the Leeds DA marquee where the party continued, we returned to the van a little tipsy and retired to bed.

Friday 3rd June

Day 5

We woke 7.30 it feels cooler today, cloudy skies but at least the wind has dropped a little, I took Izzy for her morning walk but again she didn't really want to go so just had strole around the THS, after breakfast we made the short drive up to Filey where once parked (£3.40) we took a walk along the promenade, which back in 1806 was described as"an escape from the boisterous crowds of Scarborough and a place of simple pleasures" which in fairness is the same today. The promenade runs the length of the sandy beach and is backed by victorian houses with only the modern day cafe & shops on either end so a really nice walk.

Finlay - High Tide in Short Wellies

Looking along Filey promenade

Adele at Filey Beach

We found a sculpture 'High Tide in Short Wellies' locally known as 'Finlay' almost 12 feet high and made of weathered steel to commemorate Fileys once proud fishing industry. On reaching the end of the prom we returned the way we had come back to the van, had a cup of tea then followed the coast road to Bridlington, although we didn't stop as time was pressing, looked very nice but busy. We returned to THS for our last afternoon.

Tea tonight was lemon sole with asparagus and a glass of white wine.

After tea the backgammon board came out for a quick single game, we played a decent game, neck and neck until the end, Adele lost out by two stones.

We decided to pay the marquee another visit tonight as there was a Queen tribute act on and although he didn't look like Freddie he sounded very good. The marquee was packed, Leeds DA had a great set up, there was a bar selling all drinks at £1, there was even a kitchen selling hot food, burgers, hot dogs, pizza and chips, there was an announcement that fish and chips was just £2.

The Gang in the marquee

At the end of the tribute act the was raffles and an auction for different items adding more funds to their youth fund, they said that they had, over the week raised over £10k, an amazing amount to help disadvantaged children around Leeds. We left just after 10 o'clock back to the van.

Saturday 4th June

Day 6

Woke 7.30 as normal, took Izzy out for her walk but yet again she didn't really want to go, back to the van for breakfast, yes, our flying start.

It was almost eleven by the time we had finish and tidied the van for out return home, Alan found a piece of replacement waste pipe that had dropped of the shower drain on the van, so spent half an hour to replace it, the original had split on the end and had been cut so short by Autotrail there was nothing to hold it on, not even any hose clips something I will do when we get back.

We said our goodbyes to Geoff & Jayne, Alan & Cathy and started the trek back home just before midday, the journey back was far better than getting here, very little traffic in fact, almost quiet on the roads. The sat-nav took us exactly the same route home as we came, but in reverse, which took us through some pleasant Yorkshire villages for hitting the motorways. We stopped briefly for Izzy to have a break before continuing the last few miles arriving home just after 4.00pm.

An Aerial View of Leeds DA THS - Fraisthorpe

Sun Setting over Fraisthorpe THS

Sunset on Leeds DA Fraisthorpe THS

What a great week we have had, the THS was huge, but well organised but really quiet for so many people there and such great value, we visited some lovely places, Whitby, RSPB Bemton Cliffs, Filey and Bridlington as well as walks on Fraisthorpe beach, we had a brilliant day for The Queens Platinum Jubilee, our 'posh' dinner party was a great success even if we did drink a tad too much. Overall the weather was much better than had been forecast which was an added bonus. It was a Whitsun holiday like the ol' days.

'Vera' meeting the Leeds DA stewards

benivanadventures - travels in our campervan

Trip Details:

Miles: 517

Ave MPG: 34.4
Fuel Cost: £ 118.88 / £ 1.757 ltr

Car Parking: £ 10.50

Nights: 5

Camp Fees: £ 62.50

Camp Ave per night: £ 12.50

We upload our holiday photos and videos on to our YouTube Channel, benivanadventures, they are not professionally produced but give a feeling of the area and places we visit so, come with us and enjoy the views - Click on the links below