Scarborough Holiday

    On a very wet day in mid-November a party of intrepid travellers from Marple U3A and Marple Bridge & Mellor U3A 
    left for a ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ holiday in Scarborough.  After a delayed start we arrived at the hotel too late for the 
    before-dinner carols but, undaunted, we had our own carol-singing session in the lounge later.  This was ‘Christmas Eve’ 
    and we went to bed early dreaming of Santa and our ‘Christmas Day’ celebrations!  

    After breakfast on Tuesday we were driven to Whitby where we had several hours to explore the town at our leisure. 
    The wet weather had, by now, really set in and, rather than walk, a group of us took the local ‘bus to the church high up
    on the hill, St Mary the Virgin.  This ancient church was totally fascinating in that hardly any renovations have been made 
    over the years and it remains much the same as it has for centuries.  It is still heated by a coal-burning stove and, apart
    from the chancel, there is no electricity and it is lit by hundreds of candles.
    By now it was lunchtime and we just had to sample the delights of Whitby fish and chips!  The meal certainly lived up to 
    our expectations and we all managed to clear our plates although we knew we had to face our Christmas dinner that 
    evening! after walking around the harbour we boarded the bus and travelled back to Scarborough arriving in plenty of
    time to don our Christmas finery.  As we entered the dining room we were served with a glass of perry and, of course,
    the  evening menu included turkey and Christmas pudding . 

    Wednesday was ‘Boxing Day’ and we had the day to explore Scarborough.  As the shopping centre was just minutes 
    from the hotel several of us took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping, stopping occasionally for coffee and 
    cake. 
    Several members of the party descended the 158 steps at the side of the hotel to the beach and enjoyed a leisurely 
    stroll to the far end of South Bay.  Each evening some form of entertainment was provided by the hotel and some of 
    the party went into the ballroom to enjoy the dancing and the comedian. 

    On Thursday, ‘New Year’s Eve’ we were taken to Heartbeat country calling en route at Robin Hood’s Bay. 
    The weather had improved significantly by now and it was a pleasure to drive through the beautiful North Yorkshire
    countryside.  Andrew, our driver, was a most obliging man and made the journey very enjoyable.  Back at the hotel 
    everyone had time for a rest before the ‘New Year’s Eve’ festivities. 

    We left Scarborough on Friday morning in beautiful sunshine for our drive home and, in fact, were back in Marple by
    lunchtime.
    We had enjoyed our pre-Christmas break and felt revitalised and ready to face our REAL Christmas.