<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/filey-fishermanDLapr16.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3288" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/filey-fishermanDLapr16-225x300.jpg" alt="filey-fisherman+D&amp;L(apr16)" width="225" height="300" /></a>It's that time of year when we go away with our friends (family) and this year we went to Filey. As time goes by our numbers dwindle - this year we were missing Jane. The large house was just up from the beach and I'm sure Jane would have been up early every morning to walk down to the front and enjoy the sea air.

During the break I finished a book and it was one that Jane wanted to read once it was published but it wasn't to be. It's the little things like us both reading the same book and then discussing the plot and characters that I miss. It wouldn't be a critical analysis, just a few words, good or bad.

I shall gloss over our visit to Scarborough unless you want me to describe the all pervading smell of third hand chip fat. It isn't somewhere I will be returning to in a hurry.

As always we took turns at cooking and as a newcomer to this new role (Jane was the cook) I decided on a recipe from the Hairy Bikers, sausage casserole. I cheated by using a HomePride sauce. It worked out OK judging by the empty plates. As part of the evening's entertainment, earlier in the day I asked everyone to think of five celebrities (alive, dead, real or fictional)  they would ask to dinner and why. It kept us talking all evening. Feel free to add a comment about who you would ask and why.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/puffin-bemptonapr16.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-3291 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/puffin-bemptonapr16-150x200.jpg" alt="puffin-bempton(apr16)" width="150" height="200" /></a>On Tuesday we went to Bempton Cliffs. <a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/2693" target="_blank">Jane and I went there in early July</a> to see the Puffins which was to be a tick on her bucket list. This was a poignant visit for me and it wasn't without tears.  There weren't many puffins but there were a few and this chap was busy with nesting material in its beak. All the time I kept seeing the T shirt Jane was wearing in the Hospice - Puffin Nuffin. It was one of her favourites.<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gannet-bemptonapr16.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3290" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gannet-bemptonapr16-150x200.jpg" alt="gannet-bempton(apr16)" width="150" height="200" /></a>

There were loads and loads of gannets all busy nesting. They would fly along the cliff face with beaks full of grassy tufts looking for a crevice to make their home. It was fascinating to watch and we spent all morning at the reserve having lunch outside in the sunshine.

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In the afternoon Nick, Val and I did a walk from Flamborough Head lighthouse along the cliffs. The weather was glorious as can be seen from the blue sky in the photo.

We didn't walk as far as we planned, only completing 4.2 miles, as the walking at Bempton had tired us out.

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On Wednesday we all went to Whitby. Every place has its memories - Jane and I first came here in 1976 when there was a heat wave and a plague of ladybirds. We stayed with friends and their two year old in a caravan. How times have changed. The Abbey is the same except English Heritage now charge the public to go into the grounds.

On the way back from Whitby we called in to Robin Hood's Bay and had afternoon tea served by one of the most miserable people you'd never wish to meet. A few of us walked down the steep hill to the beach. The last time I was here we were staying at <a href="http://www.pigyard.com/Robin_Hoods_Bay_May2008.htm" target="_blank">Boggle Hole</a> in 2008, just round the bay and we walked along the beach to get our groceries. Happy days lost to me now.

Our final day and a trip to York. Our main purpose was to visit the National Railway Museum.

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The crowds were swarming around the Flying Scotsman however I confess I have a soft spot for the Mallard. My brother, Clive, had a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornby_Railways#Hornby_Dublo_era:_1938.E2.80.931963" target="_blank">Hornby Dublo</a> train set featuring "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Gresley" target="_blank">Sir Nigel Gresley</a>". It was the same colour as the Mallard here and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4" target="_blank">LNER Class A4</a> was designed by Sir Nigel. Whenever I see this train I get transported back to an eight year old.

The city of York is a beautiful place with some very accomplished buskers but the Shambles is only interesting if you want to purchase something. I did look at a Panerai watch with a price tag of £6,400 however I looked at my £30 Lorus that is electric self-winding and realised it has given me the time accurately for over 20 years without fail so I decided to save myself the money. And of course Jane bought me this watch. Now what do I do with the saving?