29 Oct: Haven’t spent much time on the Yorkshire coast in recent years – we’ve been to Whitby once or twice in that time, but our last visit to Filey was nearly forty years ago… The weather was great for photography – blue sky and bright sunshine (plus a biting wind). It was also great for day-trippers – we never thought for a moment that Whitby would be so busy. The narrow streets below the abbey were packed; the 199 steps were heaving (no, we didn’t). After the almost-obligatory fish and chip lunch, we headed down the coast to Filey. The lowering sun had gone from the sands and promenade, but the mud cliffs to the north were lit brightly, contrasting red against the cold blue of the shaded sea.

“Elizabeth” was an unexpected bonus, a 1931 Sentinel steam waggon, converted to operate as a bus. Seemed to be doing a roaring trade.

26 Oct: Staying in Edinburgh for the weekend – how about a trip to the fishing villages in Fife? We’d been to St Monans before, but not to Anstruther or Pittenweem, just a mile or two further east. The sun shone for about five minutes, perhaps less – sunlight on the attractive buildings around the picturesque harbours would have been good, but at least it was dry and bright. The views across the Forth are extensive, with Arthur’s Seat and the castle clearly on view to the south-west, while the cement works near Dunbar (not quite so picturesque) is marked by a plume of steamy smoke east of south. There are good refreshments to be had too…

Anstruther

 

Pittenween

 

St Monans

 

A rare sighting of geoffspages, trying to stay sane while the household authorities explore a shop full of wool, yarn (spelled “yawn”) etc. in Whitby

Late afternoon sunshine lights the mud cliffs at Filey on the Yorkshire coast

Bright autumn sunshine on the north pier at Whitby harbour

This chap was pottering about on the sand at Anstruther, Fife, a lone curlew amongst dozens of gulls

A bulk carrier is anchored in the Forth, seen from the southern shore near Gullane