What we did on our holidays …

well, on our church weekend away. The title reference is to Fairport Convention's second album, and while holidays does not really convey the idea of a mini-conference, there was time for a 5-mile country walk, returning along the cliff-tops, and some exploration of the old town. Our speaker was Tim Davies of Christ Church Central, Sheffield which describes itself as a church for people who don't go to church.

The youth hostel, pictured above, was a brilliant venue, right next to the iconic Whitby Abbey at the top of the famous 199 steps. The accommodation was comfortable and the service very good. 

Trillos of Whitby

Trillo? Not a Yorkshire name, you might say, and you would be right - and wrong. Neil Trillo is one of the third generation of an Italian family who arrived in Britain in 1912, so he is Yorkshire born and bred, but justly proud of his roots. Service is friendly and personal, and Neil engages easily with customers young and old.  We caught him on the last day of the season, at least for this location by Whitby Abbey and Youth Hostel. Down in the town, his Full of Beans kiosk at the bottom of Khyber Pass serves quality coffee at reasonable prices. For more information and photographs, go to Off the Beaten Track. Go here for a 360º view of Whitby from Spion Kop.

Whitby east side

Huddled houses and hostelries below the abbey visitor centre and youth hostel. The abbey is out of sight to the left. The tide is out as evidenced by the exposed bit of beach in the outer harbour.