Monday 9 May 2011

vitality: of dracula and kippers

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I already posted a few pictures from my week in Yorkshire with my dad, but it wouldn't be complete without some shots of Whitby, the nearest town of any size. Whitby has continually frustrated my efforts to take pictures of it down the years... no matter how I try, I can never capture the charm of the place. It's a charm that is equal parts gothic (the ruined abbey atop the cliff, the Dracula connection), and earthy (the accents, the fishermen, the no-nonsense tea and toasted tea-cakes we often have for breakfast at The Singing Kettle).

Since it's impossible (at least with my camera) to capture the panorama, I decided to focus in on some of the details. Above: the bridge at twilight; the Abbey, a seagull eyes a woman intensely while she eats her fish and chips.

Below:
I stand in the graveyard by the Abbey, on top of a cliff that you must climb 199 steps to reach. The sound at the top is invariably "I only got 198... I must have missed one..."
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I try, again, to capture the panorama at twilight
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Kippers (smoked herrings) are smoked in a pungent hut
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The seagulls circle
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My dad and I shared the best cheeseplate ever for desert at The Magpie Café... washed down with port!
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The beach at low tide
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Anyone interested in my Whitby posts from last year (aww, right at the beginning of my blog) can find them here, here, here and here.

40 comments:

Closet Fashionista said...

Wow these photos are amazing!! Everything looks so beautiful!
That one seagull is pretty scary looking, haha :p
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

these are exquisite, despite your frustrating efforts in the past. the one of you in the graveyard is intense!

Rebeccak said...

It looks like a pretty wonderful place. I love the photo of you in the cememtary - incredible!

Anonymous said...

sooo pretty - what a quaint town - i wish we had more like that here in canada!

xoxo danni

Christina said...

This is a gorgeous post. What I wouldn't give to be able to travel right this moment!

Margaret said...

Oh my, my wanderlust is stronger than ever! Too bad we can't really get these feelings in America. I personally think everything's too much the same here, but of course, there are the nice, historical places in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Amrit said...

1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th pictures are awesome...pictures do capture details.

The Semi Sweet said...

What a fantastic little place! How fun that your dad and you do things like that together.

It's funny but kippers reminds me of my Dad. Ewww...I could never stomach those, but he would eat them in the evening as a snack. Blech..

Sewon said...

Beautiful photos. I am SO, SO jealous of your cheese plate!

Monique said...

These photos definitely capture the feel and beauty of the place. That ruined abbey shot is stunning! So awesome you got to spend quality time with your dad. That cheese plate is amazing and smoked herring sounds yummy. The sot of you in the cemetery is stunning. Hope your papers are getting along well!

Xavi said...

This is the perfect place for my holidays. A little bit cold, athlantic weather, a little village to be quiet....

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@The Daily Fashionista: I've actually never had a kipper... and I don't plan to. They sound pretty revolting!

@Xavi: the weather was amazing when I was there, but it can get pretty chilly. There's a fierce wind coming in off the Atlantic most of the time!

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

Great photos, I always find it hard to capture huge sweeping panoramas and the feel of a place, but you have here! (especially with the evil seagulls..) xx

callie said...

Looks so lovely. My favorites are the first photo, the one of you in the graveyard, and that one of the seagulls circling around. So cool!! I'm gonna go check out those others posts. :D

Elise said...

Haha I loved the seagull one, you certainly captured them perfectly! :)

Bhushavali said...

The seagull pic is awesome!!!
Customized top at Fashion Panache
Dakshina Chitra Part II

Anthea said...

Yorkshire looks enchanting! I so love looking at the photos of your travels.

Selvaggia Capizzi said...

Amazing pictures!
I am impressed!
xx
http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com/

Eleni said...

Hello, I'm ne round these parts, but I like your style! And, erm, is there anywhere you haven't been? London, New York, barcelona, Yorkshire - your blog has fuelled my wanderlust no end! Have you ever been to Bath?

Amber Schmidt said...

This isn't entirely related to this post, but I just thought it and wanted to tell you:

You are an inspiration to me. Honestly, my family and I were talking about my plans after university (two years left) and my summer plans.. and I informed them that I wanted to travel! Honestly, no one in my family has really gone off on adventures unless it was a family vacation, but that's entirely different.

Anyhow, your adventures and the way you live your life--- by really living-- inspire me.

xo

Bee. said...

Wow, it looks lovely there! Ever since I studied gothic literature I've had an interest in Gothic ruins. I can't believe I've only just stumbled across your blog. It's marvellous. I'm a new follower for sure!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@ Eleni: It's been a bit ridiculous lately; I feel a bit embarrassed. On the other hand, I'm homeless, so I guess that makes up a bit for all the travelling....

@Amber: Aww, you're lovely! I think travelling is a wonderful way to experience lots of different things. I so hope you head off for adventures yourself, and let me know when you do!

APPLES AND FLOWERS said...

cool bird pics! Hugs

Ania said...

The photos are so nice. I like the one where the mew is so close to the woman.
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jess said...

It looks so picturesque.

Raquel said...

I think you did well with your camera, the pictures are nice, and the place looks really pretty.
I especially like the picture with the huge seagull, but you already knew that :) Also the one with the graves is my favourite (not because of the graves though).

PS: Zara is good! ;)

C.G. Koens said...

What glorious fun - I am so jealous! It just looks like the perfect little seaside English village - love, love, love. However, what do I love more? The look on that seagulls face - I would not have wanted to be that woman. Hahaha!!

Unknown said...

This looks like such a beautiful place! Looks like you had a lovely trip :)

Tieka, Selective Potential said...

Oh gosh, amazing photos!! I can't wait to take a trip like this someday! xo

Virginie's Cinema said...

W O W !

This is breathtaking (and I'm not just talking about the cheese plater!). What a lovely trip.

I'm so glad for your blog, I really wouldn't get out enough if it wasn't for you :)

Virginie

Rosalind said...

Really enjoyed your coffee rambling post below and am also savouring these evocative shots of Whitby. I love the British coastline.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos :)

Total seagull money shot :D

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

I feel as though your detail photos did a fine job at capturing the gothic and earthy atmosphere you described. Although nothing compares to actually visiting a place, I know, but I can feel the vibe just by looking at these. The seagulls circling is such a cool shot. As is the one in the graveyard.

k said...

wowww i think i would like to be buried in that graveyard!

Anonymous said...

Looks gorgeous in Whitby, I must have been there at some point myself. Haha, that seagull is hilarious, how cheeky! Cheese plate: yum :)

noone said...

beautiful photos! haha I like that pic of the seagull looking up, like "hello, got any food?"

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Pop Champagne: Haha, yeah. She was eating fish and chips and the seagul was definitely making sure he didn't miss out on any crumbs!

Penny said...

whitby= beautiful place.ok noted down..i hope it's humanly possible to reach it by train within 2-3 days :D

eagle-eye-cherry said...

Nice to hear that you were there

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

I’d never heard of this place before & just Wikipedia-d it, it seems like an amazing place! Thanks for sharing your pictures, they are beautiful! As a desert native and someone who’s never lived anywhere even remotely cold or “up north,” I am always in awe of places like this!