I’m in Whitby. We travelled up on Friday after a hellish week at work.  Whenever we manage to get away for a day or two, we end up working those days in advance.  On Wednesday we worked sixteen and a half hours and got home at midnight.  So to say it was a little fraught is an understatement.

We arrived a little early on Friday and couldn’t pick up the keys straight away, so we walked down the cliff onto the beach.  Whitby has a beautiful beach. Long and sandy and quite wild.  I don’t know what it is about the sea but it somehow makes things seem better.  We wandered along the water’s edge and the stresses of the week (and of leaving my laptop in the car at the top of the cliff) fell away.  When I was standing there I tried to think of the sound the sea makes, to try to put it into words.  But I couldn’t come up with anything that hadn’t been used beforfe – crashing, roaring – all cliches.

We’re staying at the Metropole again, though in a different apartment this time.  I’m fascinated by this place.  According to our welcome pack it was built in 1897, largely for the wealthy German tourists travelling here at the time.  Many of the original features are still in place – the ballroom, the grand staircase leading to each of the four floors and imposing mirrors and old bells are still in evidence in the corridors.  The rubbish chute is also still functional.  Though I wonder if this had a different function in the hotel’s heyday – laundry perhaps.  Our apartment is spacious and comfortable with sea views out of the kitchen, lounge and bedroom windows.  It’s also split level with a room occupying one of the building’s turrets.  Unfortunately this room isn’t accessible to visitors, which of course makes it all the more appealing.

Today we’re walking into Sandsend along the beach.  It’s about 3 miles, I think. I’m looking forward to that. I’ll post some pics when I get back.  Until later then.