Crikey there were a lot of twitchers!

 Groan...a party in full swing last night somewhere near the motel! To drown out the noise we resorted to watching two episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation! By 23.30 suddenly the music stopped and apart from several revellers still about after midnight, we did get a decent kip, waking a tad after 07.30. 

We had breakfast at the motel, seeing as we were in their car park and the cost was a little under £15 for two which included cereal, full English, toast, tea or coffee  a bargain we thought.

Flamborough head was our first destination. A walk along the cliffs before lunch and then Bempton Cliffs RSPB site in the afternoon. And it was at Flamborough that we found we could have had breakfast for two for £13!

In the shelter of the lighthouse and with the sun beating down, jumpers came off. No sooner had we walked toward the cliff edge, was greeted by a howling gale. The jumpers went on pretty quick and stayed on for the duration of the walk.

 

Some interesting facts on the lighthouses, there are two in the photo below the one in the right replacing the old Chalk tower shown on the left.

 Surprised and delighted during the walk to see a colony of Seals playing in the surf. 

 

At Bempton Cliffs as members of the RSPB we do get privileges. No car parking fees, free entry to all RSPB sites and a monthly magazine and all for £5 a month. 

 

Showing our membership cards we were then informed of two rare bird sightings in the last month. A Black Brown Albatross and Green Warbler

All the twitchers with their massive long lensed cameras were already staking a place on some of the platforms. One guy had been there for hours and not a sighting of either. So we didn't bother about trying to claim a spot, instead concentrating on the Gannets, Fulmer and a lone Kestrel displaying how amazing it was at hovering right in front of us.

 

Is that a shark in the Harbour?

 Friday morning and by 10 am we had all but said our goodbyes. Chris and Sheila were off to Lincolnshire in spite of Sheilas broken wrist, the decision was to continue their holiday until midweek and then head home. Alan and Angela were returning home and we departed for Bridlington

Crossing Humber Bridge this time we chose to pay the toll. Back in June we had inadvertently got into the lane for pre paid toll traffic and a large notice as we sailed past the toll booth with the demand of paying on line within 24 hours or a large fine would be the result!

We found this great park4night at a motel and pub at Carnaby. No stunning views, just a walled car park and there was noise a plenty with the chiming of the church bells on the hour (throughout the night too), trains clattering along the nearby railway sounding a horn every so often and traffic zooming past the entrance but what it did have was decent beer, good food and a very obliging landlord who allowed us to leave MB during Saturday whilst we took a bus into Bridlington.

Even the shopping trolley ends up in the sea!

There was a Kite festival on. We came across it on our way to the Model Village, which, I might add, had been recommended to us by a very nice lady at the information center, and told it was but 5 minutes walk from North Pier! Hmm, let's just think on that one. A 30-minute walk and still no sign!  Anyway, I digress. We could see the Kites way before we saw them up close. All shapes and sizes and on arrival a good place to sit on the grass to watch them whilst on that route march to the Model Village.

So that village.... one and three-quarter mile walk before we found it. Maybe by car it was 5 minutes but to walk?... anyway for the grand total of £3.60 we entered through electric gates into a different world. What a well-thought-out and brilliant setup and they even managed a narrowboat at the entrance to the harbour.

Even a shark swam in the harbour.

A land train stopped outside the Model Village. "Shall we take this back to the town center?" I asked hopefully. "Really?" said he "I thought you wanted to walk". His cheesy grin gave the game away because he was as eager as I to ride the distance back.

Crazy golf right opposite the land train stop and both of us said almost as one "Shall we?" Well of course we had to have a go and I'm ashamed to say I failed to win this time, in fact he wiped the floor with me losing 15 (Ian) to 32 (me).

Before getting the bus back and with Wetherspoon nearby and because I didn't fancy cooking, we went in. Now I'm not sure if other folk has found this but to us the meals are definitely going downhill. My Scampi batter was soggy and full of grease and Ian's burger very dry as if the chicken had been overcooked. This must be the third dreadful meal we have had this year. Ian is all for never darkening their doors again but I do love the curry served there. Unfortunately they had run out of Madras hence the Scampi!

And wildlife

Either a Redshank or Juvenile Oyster catcher. Thanks to Paul it's neither! It is in fact a Turnstone.

Marvin's adventures

 8. 30am and Alan, Chris and Sheila were on their way to the hospital in Mansfield. We promised to take Skye for a walk 'cos how long they would be away for was anyone's guess. Armed with Marvin our mascot monkey and Skye, we headed off to get a photo of Marvin with the Gruffalo for grandson Thomas.

 

Skye decided Marvin was her new stuffed toy and several times tried to run off with it but a treat in the way of a biscuit persuaded her otherwise and we managed to grab him off of her.

Having got the photo I suggested going along the Gruffalo trail to see if we could find the one character we hadn't seen on the walk before, the mouse. We found him and this gave Ian some great ideas of a Marvin photo story for Thomas. So he set about taking photos with Marvin with each character. 

And I expect this will upset Thomas with the thought of Marvin being captured by a spider!

Back at MB and still no sign of return of the trio. By now they had been gone well over two hours. At the back of our minds we worried that something more had been found. We were right to be worried because after three and a half hours they returned with the news that the bone had to be realigned, and a new plaster cast put on. Their plan to continue with the holiday down in Lincolnshire may now be in jeopardy, a decision on that will be taken later.

So today is our last day in the Forest of Robin Hood. Tomorrow we head North to the RSPB Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington. Puffin season has gone, but the Gannets usually stay until October so hopefully plenty to see and do.

 And wildlife today,

Red or green?

 Another hot day, another lazy one. The only plan so far was for the Jameison and Warren clan to lunch out at the visitor center, a short walk away. 10.30am and before the heat got too much to bare, Ian again suggested another bike ride. The red track was mentioned, this fast 8 mile unsurfaced single track loops around the forest taking in exciting terrain and provides a physical and mental challenge. Hmm, let me just think on that!!!! Nop, no way. It's the easier family green trail or nothing!

Ian is in there somewhere.

And finally a photo of me

 Returned just in time to join the family for the walk to the center. Jacket spuds and panini's were purchased and devoured, but the suggestion of ice creams were turned down in favour of Sheila's bread pudding on our return, and very yummy it was too.

Rain was forecast for the 'morrow so before putting our bikes to bed, another great addition to this site was the bike cleaning bay. I must say this is a well run and well-thought-out camp ground. Not cheap at £25 pn for a motorhome on electric but beautifully maintained and clean and worth every penny.

 

The evening was once again spent playing Mexican train, stopping earlier than usual because an early start was needed tomorrow. Sheila is off to the hospital for a check and possible xray to see how the wrist bones are lining up.