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.