Home safe and photos

Apologies for not signing off and posting photos - foiled by the weather, but we did manage to deliver the girls back safely before the snow set in on Friday afternoon. What a contrast to the sunshine in Whitby! Pannet Park Museum proved as fascinating as ever and the "Hand of Glory" proved to be the star attraction yet again! We hope your daughters have told you all about our trip to Whitby - we look forward to learning more in school next term......

Thursday 21 March

We awoke (rather early in some cases!) to a very cold, but sunny, morning. A great relief after the weather in Whitby these last few days. After a hearty breakfast, we wrapped up warmly, packed our lunches and piled onto the coach for the short hop to Whitby Abbey. From here we descended the steps down to the town (we can never agree how many there are!) and started exploring Whitby and, with the help of a few unsuspecting tourists and locals, gathered opinions as to its merits and shortcomings. The girls were a bit tentative about carrying out their surveys to begin with, but once they got into the swing of it they gained confidence and did us proud. Common responses included the excellent quality of the local fish and chips, which made it worth the long journey across the moors, although the cold winds were not so popular! We sampled the local ice-cream and indulged in some more shopping, before heading back up the steps (definitely more on the way up!) to the abbey.

Twenty minutes later we were walking back down steps into Robin Hood's Bay, where we spent the afternoon carrying out activities at the Old Coastguard Station, including a village trail, a quiz and an hour on the windswept beach rummaging in rockpools. It was hard to believe that the tide had been in so recently as we peered into these mini-habitats trying to spot some of the residents left behind by the retreating waves.

This evening we enjoyed fish and chips, before getting into pjs and onesies and settling down with teddies and blankets to listen to some fascinating stories about Whitby and some of its more interesting characters, from a local storyteller. After hot chocolate and cupcakes, the girls were ready for bed and sleep and all is now quiet..............let's hope it stays that way.

We are aware of the forecast for tomorrow - if this impacts on timings we will use the cascade to contact parents.
Pictures to follow.............................

Wednesday 20 March - Whitby

After waving you off, we had a grey and dreary drive up the M1, but the rain clouds lifted as we reached Beningbrough Hall and we all piled off the coach.The girls were kept very busy laundering, polishing cutlery, creating sculptures and learning about the hidden meanings in portraits. After some retail therapy in the National Trust gift shop, we set off for Whitby and enjoyed the wintry landscapes as we drove over the North Yorkshire Moors. We were blessed with a stunning view of the abbey silhouetted by evening sunshine and the girls were very excited to catch their first glimpse of Sneaton Castle. After a hearty supper, the girls unpacked , some with military precision, while others went for the floordrobe option. Miss Atkins then hosted a games evening in the common room - the teachers were relieved to win the quiz ( but weren't allowed to win the prizes)! They are now all in bed and we are hoping for a reasonable night's sleep.....................

Last Minute Messages

We are hoping the weather will be kind to us, but please ensure that your daughter has plenty of warm and waterproof layers, including hat, scarves and gloves.

Please meet us outside the Botanical Gardens entrance on Clarkehouse Road at 8.00am. A reminder that your daughter should have anything she needs for the journey in a small backpack - including her packed lunch and a drink. If she is prone to travel sickness, please make sure she has taken her medication before leaving. All medication should be handed to Mrs Hardwick.

Some highlights from last year

Last Year's Visit

All items below relate to the 2012 visit to Whitby.

Our Last Day!

We have just left Sneaton Castle, on our way to Pannett Park and the small museum there.  We will leave the museum at about 1:30pm.  See you soon !

Day 2

The day has been long and sunny.
We started early in Whitby, walking down the 199 steps, which the girls had to count, just to check! Then we walked along the pier and did some visitor surveys at 3 different locations.  The girls were so polite to the general public and we chatted to visitors from Canada and Australia.

After a refreshing ice cream, we were ready to tackle the ascent to the top of the 199 steps.  Next to Robin Hoods Bay.  We all enjoyed finding creatures in the rock pools and stood on the wave cut platform, made of limestone and shale.  The village trail was fascinating and we looked at some of the sea defences constructed there. 

Our First Evening

Sneaton Castle is lovely! Thrilled that it looks like a castle from the outside.  Had a delicious meal, cup cakes for pudding! Now enjoying our games evening.

Our first stop!

Here we are at Beningborough Hall, enjoying the sunshine in the kitchen garden, with the chief laundry maid.  Off to try Victorian laundry day! Soon off to Sneaton Castle in Whitby. 

It's getting exciting ......

Sleep and dine in a castle....rummage around in rock pools......seek out the old haunts of smugglers.......promenade along the pier.......just some of the treats in store for our Year 5 girls who are looking forward to Whitby 2012!

Watch the blog for updates!