A Trip to Robin Hoods Bay

ART
We discovered Tracey Savage on a trip to Robin Hoods Bay in North Yorkshire. Whilst wandering through the galleries/arty touristy shops we saw some of her paintings displayed on the wall and thought they were fantastic for the area we were in.

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Sluice House

Summers Dance

Fossil Hunter

Tracy Savage is an award winning Yorkshire based artist, in fact Hornsea is where her gallery is and a second bigger one in Scarborough. As you can see by the paintings I have shown you she gets her inspiration from the Yorkshire coastline and Landscape.

As well as been a talented artist Tracey also dabbles in pottery with Adrian Bolland daughters Grace & Lily. Sugarmouse Pottery is the name they go by.

Oh, but wait, that's not the end of her talent she has also has written and illustrated a children's book called 'Moomblooms'

Here is her website and Facebook page

BEER
Wychwood – Black Wych 5.0%
Black Wych is a Potter. Sorry I mean Porter there's no wizardry happenings going on here. Although they do say she will cast a spell. I started to drinks this straight from the fridge. Yes I know some of you will say NO!! what is this woman doing putting a porter in the fridge. Well you see everyone is different and some dark beers are actually very nice from the fridge. They did warn me of bitterness on the bottle (some of you know I don't really like that), but I ignored because I wanted to try it. My first taste (for me) did have a lot of bitterness which I wasn't keen on, so I let it sit to warm up a little.

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Every so often I'd take a sip of this smooth Porter. Now I don't know if I was getting used to the Bitterness of the hops at the end of the taste but it did seem to be lessening slightly. And whilst the last little bit I wasn't keen on I did like 95% of it. It wasn't big on sweetness like I thought it would be. If someone says sweet to me I think very sweet – I have a sweet tooth. But, roasted malt with a hint of coffee and burnt chocolate was prominent throughout. Fuggle, Progress and Challenger hops appear in this beer.

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If you like a tipple of the dark stuff and you like bitterness then this beer is for you.
There is lots of information on Wychwood's website and there is even a competition section. And for the historian in you there is a section on the breweries in their area. Here they are on Twitter and Facebook

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GARDEN
I am a devil for not watering my plants. This I think stems from my Granddad. Oh, he did water his plants, just I only ever saw the seed of 'nipping' grow into whatever it was to become. Occasionally he would let me water, but more often that not in the greenhouse he either watered very early (before I got there) or later in the evening (when I had gone). So naturally I got to thinking plants didn't need that much water. Now I have learnt they need to be watered more often than I thought and if things are in a pot then they need it more so. This year I have been able to water plants and flowers more regular and so far I don't think anything died from dehydration, some plants came back from the brink though.

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It was a trip to our local Garden Centre before the years 7 day holiday that I saw these Hozelock Orange Aquasolo Watering Cone. Not wanting to risk potentially killing my plants whilst on holiday (especially the newish Cherry Tree & 5year old small Pear tree) we decided to purchase these ceramic cones. We bought them at the end of July and the holiday was beginning of September, which was long enough to see how thirsty the plants were and to top up. Although I wasn't convince! I couldn't see how this ceramic cone with a screw adapter for the top of a disused plastic drinks bottle could actually be effective. There was no holes that I could see!!
But they did, they really did work! Thanks to this ingenious invention this holiday I didn't manage to kill any of my fruit plants.

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MUSINGS
The best way to describe Robin Hoods bay – it's quaint, with a steep hill, a lovely coffee shop halfway up the hill as you come back from the sea and sand, opposite the Jet shop and I think if memory serves me correct just down from the chocolate shop. Have you just completed the Coast to coast on foot? As mad as you are there is a respite for you at the end as there is a lovely lady who with get the feeling back in your feet.

If you are planning on playing on the beach or exploring the coast line up to Ravenscar please buy a Tide Timetable as you really don't want to be stranded or disappointed. One section seems to hold the tide longer. And you will need to jolly yourselves up to get over to see the seal sanctuary. There is a nice walk on the old railway to Ravenscar. There is a path down to the rocks from the hotel, but it is steep and parts have been washed away because of rainfall.

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Robin hoods bay Museum is a nice little place to spend a few minutes in, but, it is run by volunteers so please leave a donation in the box as this helps to keep it open.

If you want a day away from the sea Falling Foss Tea Garden is a lovely place to chill. And of course Whitby is near by. My blog about Whitby is here.

May I suggest two great camp sites to stay. The first is Middlewood Farm Holiday Park at Robin Hoods Bay. The second is on the main road to Whitby called Broadings Farm.
For more information on Robin Hoods Bay here's their website

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Tunes of the week

This has been my ear worm this week
Coz I Love you - Slade
But I'm going to leave you with an earworm! I've been watching Empire and I love this tune. Have you been watching it? Which is your favourite tune?Empire Cast - Boom Boom Boom Boom (feat. Terrence Howard and Bre-Z)