Tuesday 20th March 2001
Weather: Sunny periods - a cold easterly wind blowing in off the sea
Robin Hood's Bay
Robin Hood's Bay as seen looking north from Ravenscar
Normally, this
would be a classic view looking south over the rooftops of Bay
Town (as it's known to the locals)
towards the towering cliffs of Ravenscar, some 3 miles distant
Unfortunately, today the workmen are here strengthening the sea defence walls
Robin Hood's Bay's
houses sit literally on the edge of the sea on a steep-sloping
cliffside
- the older houses of the village crowd the shoreline and the
cliff-top and over the years
many have been washed into the sea, though the village is still
developing
. 
It's impossible to
give a visitor any directions for finding his way about a place
like this
- it's far better to let him explore the narrow streets and
alleys at his own leisure - it's a fascinating experience
. 
Over the centuries,
Robin Hood's Bay has been a notorious centre for smuggling,
the illicit goods could literally be handed through doorways and
windows from cottage to cottage
. 
Nowadays, the brightly painted houses serve more to attract tourists from near and far
From a veranda at the end of one alleyway we suddenly get a glorious view south across the Bay towards Ravenscar . . .
. . . and north-eastwards to the sea-defence walls and cliffs that now protect the village from storms
. 
At the bottom of the main street is The Bay Hotel - Wainwright enjoyed a pint here at the end of his Coast to Coast Walk
. 
I always refer to the dwelling above left as the 'end house' - past that there's nothing but sand, rocks and sea
Because of the
incoming tide, this is as near as we got to the beach today
- I was disappointed as it's a great place to wander about and
take photographs
. 
Back in the village we see the contrast between today's cottage decor and that of an old shop
. 
Halfway up the steep main street, a welcome place for refreshment - The Laurel Inn
. 
Finally, a favourite place for artists - Sunny Place
back to top of
page
go to Homepage
or to my Archives Page