Well this is actually being written a day later. We have been without the internet until today so we wrote our blog in word, but still do not know how to transfer them over. So we will resume from yesterday.
Today is the day to explore Scarborough. We had a leisurely breakfast before heading off. We decided to walk into the town even though it was showery. It didn't look too far and in fact it only took us a half hour or so. We thought we could use the WiFi at the library to update our blogs. When we got to the library the librarian told us the WiFi wasn't working and we could have 1/2 hour free on their computers and then we had to start paying. We elected to just take the free time. Somehow we just didn't feel like sitting in the library. After the library it was lunch time and we found a bakery type resturant which was fine except very noisy. After lunch we walked around on the no traffic streets looking at a few shops, but not buying anything. The south bay looked interesting, although it was a long steep walk to the beach. What a neat place. There half a dozen casino type operations with slots, bingo and those grab the toy with the crane gameswhich never work. Suprisingly, there were a lot of people in these establishments. This is where the fishing boats come in so there were sea food stores and marine equipment establishments. And of course dozens of souvenier and places to buy beach toys. After walking around and buying an icecream it was time to head back. Descretion is the better part of valor and so we took a tram back up into the city. As we walked back we stopped at another bakery and bought a couple of meat pies for dinner. Next door was an art galley and it had some post card prints which we liked so we picked a few of them up as well. In no time we were home, too early for supper. We set off to the Ivanhoe pub just down from where were staying. We were told that the food wasn't as good there anymore so it was good that we had dinner at home. While we're sitting there 4 guys came in for a drink and decided to play pool. They were a hoot to listen to. They even sang the song "put your right foot in" etc. They were having a blast. On the way home, as we walked by the golf course we played on we found a golf ball in the hedge by hole # 17, so I got a souvenir.
Roy has said he is done so I will have a turn.
As he said the South Beach was interesting and to think we almost didn't bother to go! Starting with the place called Coney Island there must have been 10 arcades. All pretty much the same. It really lives up to being a holiday by the sea town. Scarborourgh was the first seaside holiday place in the British Isles. You can just imagine the bathing beauties in their old fashioned suits. Michael and Shirley said that when they were younger there were so many places to rent for vacations and almost every house took in holiday goers as lodgers. Different towns would have their weekly holiday and trains would bring in load after load of people for their week of vacation. How times change.
We repacked in the evening. It had been nice to unpack for a few days. Also nice to eat in and not have to go out for every meal. The Browne's were wonderful, what a lovely couple. Such a close family. It was interesting to hear them talk about the area and its history.
Pine Lodge was a good place to stay, unique in some ways but excellent value for money. One morning when I showered I forgot to close the kitchen blind and as the shower was in the kitchen that was not a good thing. We learned how to put the 1 pound coin in the slot to keep the electricity flowing and managed on the same coin the whole time we were there. The tv was a little different too but we got the hang of it. I had planned to go to the laundry while there but managed to hand wash everything we needed so didn't have to sit and wait for clothes to wash and dry.
The road was familiar as far as Whitbey the next morning and Andromeda was a good guide to help us get to Durham. We found the 3 Horseshoes Inn. It is about 5 miles outside of Durham on the A181. We arrived at 11:20 and check in wasn't until noon. There was no one around so we continued on into Durham. Rick Steeves said we could park at the Prince Bishops shopping mall but we couldn't find it in the GPS or on the map. Luckily we drove right to it, parked and off we went exploring.
After lunch we walked up to the castle and cathedral. First we toured the castle with the best tour guide we have ever met. The young man is studying for his PhD in History and is obviously in the correct field. His love of his subject was evident in every word. He also added a little levity to his narrative and that made it even more interesting. The castle has been added on to many times over the centuries as each Bishop prince had to outdo the previous one. The last stop on the tour was the World Heritage site chapel. It is the original Norman chapel built around 1068. The designs on the pillars make it unique and because of that difficult to date.
The cathedral is awesome. It is so beautiful. It was built to house the bones of St. Cuthbert and is Norman (Romanesque). The Venerable Bede is entombed here. We met him at ( learned about him) at the Abbey in Whitbey on Tuesday. He is an 8th century scholar who wrote the first history of England. Once again I enjoyed the designs in the tile floor in the choir. They are always a quilt design (or so I think). We couldn't take pictures, unfortunately.
Back to the Three Horseshoes. It is 5:30 and there is still no one around. Oh, no! Have they gone broke? There is absouletly nothing around it. It stands alone in the countryside. Roy rang the bell a few times and finally a man appeared and let us in. The pub doesn't open until 6:00. He shows us upstairs to our room, #1. The carpet on the stairs is very dirty, again I'm thinking - damn Booking.com. (Are they one of Hudson's .com companies?) . Well our room is a gem! Clean, new feeling and it smells divine! Oh, yes! Settled in and went downstairs to the pub for dinner. It too is sparkly clean. The menus feel and look as though they just went into use today. Food is great, as is the service. We both hate to go back to our room we are so comfortable. Eventually we have to go and here we are in our lovely room.
Time for bed
God bless.
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