Seen from the Donkey Path

The outer harbour viewed from the east-side Donkey Path. The huge wall on the right retains the 199 steps leading to St Mary's church and Whitby abbey. An enlargement will show that the mid-autumn chill does not deter tourists from visiting this popular resort.

Snowy moors

There is a lot more snow on the hills at the moment than in this picture, but this one nevertheless gives an idea of the situation of the town from the other direction, showing why it is so easily cut off in bad weather. We have already looked up the coast towards Sandsend Nab, the section of headland jutting out into the sea where, not surprisingly,  the sands end.

I mentioned the marina yesterday: it is clearly visible here, just below centre left, viewed from St Mary's church yard, just after the top of the 199 steps. If you've been following these pictures, you'll know that the cobbled Donkey Path is just over the wall.

Strong knees needed!

If you saw yesterday's entry, you will have come up the steps from Blackburn's Yard and the pottery, taken a few pictures from the terrace overlooking the town, then come to this junction with the Donkey Path.

Ill-fated attempts by daft Donkey Path drivers to descend these cobbles by car show the power that technology too often has over reason. But we can be pretty stupid without the help of gadgets - and yes, my hand's up!

Turn right to climb to St. Mary's Parish Church and the abbey; left takes you down to Church Street. Amble along Henrietta Street first, where Fortune's smoke their kippers, and wander back along Tate Hill Beach. Hopefully you won't have to cope with these conditions, though a winter visit to a spot like this has some appeal.

Some of the famous 199 steps from Church Street to St. Mary's are just visible in this picture, the treader edges protruding over the top of this huge retaining wall, centre top of the picture. We'll climb them another time, perhaps when there's less risk of an accident. Mind how you go in the north of England today!