My Birthday

It was always risky choosing Robin Hoods Bay to celebrate my Birthday, most especially as we were staying there on the Saturday night, meaning my Birthday would officially occur on the Day-after-the-night-before.
There are some very very good pubs in RHB :: friendly, quirky, old and cosy, they tempt you to snuggle in, admire the sea views and drink. And J and I do like to drink intoxicating liquor together on occasions and Saturday night was deemed an Occasion.

So this is how it goes::

We enjoy a few delicious pints of beer, well ok, five to be precise, we laugh a lot and the evening passes into night with much merriment.
Next day, my big Birthday-day, waking up in the rather grand four poster bed I detect the light traces of a hangover lurking. My hair also decides to go absolutely, ridiculously sticky-uppy bonkers that morning and I am so shocked when I see myself in the mirror that I almost fall over backwards. You would've laughed if you'd seen me, it was quite a sight. Even J is rendered speechless. I realise with some alarm that I have not bothered to pack any type of hair-taming equipment at all, no shampoo, no miraculous hair products, not even a brush. It's a tense moment, but I quickly find my sense of humour and get down to the business of being Birthday-ish.

There are cards to open, and delightfully wrapped presents too.
Paper and string and pretty things.
Then there's a delicious breakfast to enjoy, and preparations to be made for the day ahead.

There's blue sky, fluffy clouds and dazzling Autumn sunshine.
And there's walking to be done, views to take in, sea air to breathe.

 

We start out on a ten mile circular walk from Robin Hoods Bay to Ravenscar and back again :: the first half of the walk follows the old disused Whitby to Scarborough railway line.
The path is beautifully tree-lined and carpeted with the first of the fallen Autumn leaves.

Old, mellow stone railway arches to pass under.

Quirky signs alerting us to the local inhabitants......

.......who right on cue appeared in front of us to cross over the track.......

......quacking gently, going about their Sunday business.

And after five miles or so of trees and tracks, bridges and ducks, we emerge at Ravenscar to take in the stunning view of the bay.

  

There is hot morning coffee and some chocolate, a little stone seat to sit on and look out to sea.

 

The second five miles of this walk is deceptively hard work. This is a typical coastal path along high cliffs with some serious ups and downs. We can see Robin Hoods Bay nestled on the cliff edge in the distance, and we know that between us and it we have two descents down to sea level followed by two steep ascents back up to cliff top height.

 

It is hard work climbing steps with sticky-up hair and a slight hangover when you have just turned forty.
I do a lot of panting and silent cursing at how unfit I am.
Make plans in my head to get myself to some exercise classes in the immediate future.
I eat more chocolate for energy.
And the red-roofed houses of Robin Hoods Bay do eventually appear closer, and we finally arrive back at the bottom of this charming little village.
I am only staggering slightly.

 

 

And I am charmed as always by the sight of this village, by the way it seems so precariosuly perched on the very edge of the land, the little houses almost tumbling down the steep hill and into the North Sea.
There are endless cutesome little old cottages, I love looking at all the little windows and chimney pots and red tiled roof tops and pretty gardens. Colourful front doors and charming names :: Sail Maker Cottage, Ocean View, Dock Cottage, Robins Nest, Heather Cottage, The Little House, The Locker, Sunny Place.

 

There are bright late summer flowers glowing in the afternoon sunshine.

 

There are many folk spending a sunny Sunday afternoon here, there is the smell of fish and chips, the sound of the waves and the gulls, of chatter and laughter.

 

A delicious toasted panini for lunch (crispy bacon, brie and cranberry if you'd like to imagine it), we eat it sat on a bench in the shelter of the sea wall, the sun warm on our faces.
We head up through the village, up the quiet, narrow cobbled back streets brimming with flowers.

 

There is a little cafe hidden away on this narrow street which we love.

 

It has a terrace over looking the sea, and serves mighty fine cappuccino and Tiffin just fit for a  Birthday girl who is having a bad  hair day and needs revival.

It's late afternoon now, and suddenly I miss the Little People very much. Time to quickly browse a second hand bookshop and buy some cards from a gift shop on our way back up the steep hill to the car.

Finally home again, and all is well.
I get the most ginormous birthday hugs from my Little People, and we proceed to eat chocolate cake and drink champagne together.
Friends arrive and there are more presents, laughter, age-jokes and more champagne.
My hair is finally looking slightly calmer again, and I am happy,  and I am home, and I am suddenly overwhelmed with tiredness.
I am longing for my bed with its new feather duvet and my ripple blanket and rosy pillows.

Its been a wonderful day.
Into a bright new decade, and I couldn't be happier.
Just need to tame the hair.

Comments

[Rita]

Just have to say that I think you are very good at this blogging business. I am referring to in particular the way you always provide links to the places and things you talk about. This habit of yours just makes spending time at your blog so enjoyable! Your blog is like a very good book and I so look forward to visiting you and your charming family every few days!!!! xoxoxox

[Term papers]

So fun to spent some time In your Blog.Good to see There are cards to open, and delightfully wrapped presents too.Paper and string and pretty things.
Then there's a delicious breakfast to enjoy, and preparations to be made for the day ahead.

[gardenymph]

I'm sorry that I missed your birthday! Happy Birthday!!! What a wonderful way to spend such a special day. I dream of being able to go overseas again one day and visit places like your RHB, a very dream-like place it seems. Glad you had such a lovely day. :~) Isn't it funny how we miss the little ones just when we are getting some valuable adult time?

[Elizabeth]

Wow, I love Robin Hood´s Bay. Been there twice with my ex-husband. I don´t think I told you before but he is from Yorkshire like you. Except that he is from a very ugly town!!! So ugly be came to Amsterdam and never went back, he´s been living here for 20 yrs. now. Guess the town.

[Liz]

Lovely post and what a fab way to celebrate your birthday. I live not so far away from RHB but it's years since I was last there. I may just have to make a visit.

[Sew Recycled!]

What a lovely way to spend your Birthday, happy belated from a fellow Libra!
Emx

[Maddy]

Ahh 40, the hair thing is to do with age not beer, yes bad hair days will follow more often than not. As for being tired, yes that too is to do with age as is the feeling of being a little under fit, no amount of gym workouts will help.

On the bright side, wisdom comes with 40. The realisation that bad hair days come and, thankfully, they go! Being unfit just means you sit a little longer to notice the view.

Happy 40th Birthday.

Thanks for taking us with you to Robin Hoods Bay. What a beautiful place and I didn't get our of breath once, I didn't get to taste the cake either, but I did enjoy the view.

[Steph]

Oh happy, happy birthday! What a treat. Beautiful scenry, presents, treats and weather. You lucky spud!
Many happy returns.
Stephx

[sarah]

It looks like the perfect place to celebrate your birthday. I'd really like to go there one day. Glad you had a great time!
Sarahx

[http://lavenderhouse.typepad.com]

Hiya

I really dont know. I just feel like something is going to happen and I am determined it is going to be good not bad! I feel like I might be taking charge of my life again - you know rather than it being totally kid orientated!

Love Emma xxxxx

PS sorry it isnt more exciting.

Even the news wasnt so gloomy today!

[cathleen]

I enjoyed your decription of your unruly hair, it made me laugh. Oh my Lucy, what beautiful photos...and what a lovely place for you to visit on such a memorable birthday. I am so happy you so graciously share your cozy home life with us. In fact, I love it!

[Fi]

Thanks for inviting us to tag along on your birthday weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it, all that sea air and exercise has tired me out though. Glad you had a memorable birthday. Fi x

[Mariana]

I'm turning 40 next November, so I think I'm gonna make a birthday celebration like yours. Do you mind it?

[periwinkle]

Sounds like the perfect birthday to me, sticky up hair or not. You must be pretty fit to walk 10 miles!!
Lisa x

[driftwood]

sounds like a really fantastic day, and I'm very impressed by the long walk.

[do you mind if i knit]

That's a lovely Birthday story Lucy........................ what a wonderful time you had.....................

[Lissa]

Sounds like you had a Wonderful Birthday! And the pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[Anne Bebbington]

Lovely post Lucy - RHB was often a holiday destination as a child and my parents stayed there for a week earlier this year - you've brought back some lovely memories with your photos - will have to consider returning if only for that walk. Did you pack a hat? It could have been a real hair saver :o)

[simone]

I love this post Lucy. I think it is one of your best so far.... Did you manage to walk off your hangover?! I love the bit about the ducks. Do you think they lay in wait and then jump out in front of passers by?!!! Houses on hill tops please me, as do cobbled streets and autumn sunshine. I am glad you enjoyed your birthday. I have enjoyed re-living it with you.

[sally]

So glad you had a fabulous birthday weekend - sounds like the perfect way to start a new decade! RHB looks like a 'must visit' to me. Photos gorgeous as always.
Sal xx

[Fiona]

Thanks for sharing your weekend with us. Sounds absolutely fab! Love the sticky up hair story! Love all the RHB pics as well. I'm feeling all Yorkshire nostalgic now. Very impressed with the 10 mile walk too!

[kathy]

Ten miles AFTER THAT SORT of exercise which causes hair stickey upey!! Go girl!! I did laugh about the comment of being unfit and so ate more chocolate!! It sounds a perfect weekend. Thank you for sharing it. Kathy

[Lesley]

lovely pictures almost felt like we were there with you :-) although maybe not on the ten mile walk! major respect as the young ones say nowadays..........
glad you had a lovely time with lots of nice memories !
Lesley x

[http://lavenderhouse.typepad.com]

mmmmmmmmm - you naughty girl. That sort of hair is caused by friction!! You know four poster bed, birthday, beer, and s e x!!!

Ha ha made me laugh!!!

[Jen]

all i can say is TEN MILES??????????????????????