With plenty of photos of both bays filling my SD card, it was the smaller features that began to fascinate more as time went on. It was pleasant that I could choose to go from a fun fair and noisy amusements at one end of the south bay to peaceful climbs above and around the Spa Complex, a regular holder of musical events and sometimes featured on the small screen to boot.
Out of season holidaying may make the walks satisfyingly peaceful but one thing that is never out of view for long is those treasured bits of cheap colourful plastic that are part of so many memories and pretty much everyone’s first lesson in architecture.
From looking through the blog comments, I am given to understand that there are a few literature fans amongst you so I snapped this, I walked by the graveyard five times before remembering it was there, typically.
Keeping fit is easy as there are so many steep – some deceptively so – streets to pant up. Sadly all of them were afflicted by cars so the feel of another time was distinctly absent.
There was a bit of a Lord of the Rings vibe wandering below the castle and looking at the path at this point almost had me shouting ‘get off the road’. A while later a black dog did wandered amiably by but I didn’t say ‘you shall not pass’ as its Ring Wraithing rider could have been sniffing about close by and there were no eagles to save me and advance the plot.
And there concludes my trip so next up…books!
Book to the Future 
The first and last photo are particularly lovely – places where I would walk my dog, quite enchanting. Thanks for taking us on this journey with us, SteJ!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is great to enjoy those paths by oneself and that is usually rare unless you get out early in the holidays season but at this time of year, I rarely met a fellow traveller. Glad to have you on travelling with me my friend, bot you and your four legged friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne–the forgotten sister gets the spotlight for once. Lovely tour
LikeLike
I’m all about inclusivity and it is a reminder to actually pick up her books, I missed a trick not doing so whilst I was away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with Letizia, Ste J. The first and last photo are beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us!
LikeLike
It is nice to focus on the smaller details rather than the bigger scene photos, I do love like those little details that make you stop and feel enriched.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The eagles kind of provide JRRT with a deus ex machina rather than advance the plot of LOTR methinks.
No pub photos? Your admiring public wants to see some!
LikeLike
Yes I remember you mentioning a post of that nature ages ago, I have another holiday booked off in a few weeks with nothing planned so I think a day at the pubs will be an excellent start and reason to go to the pub as if one was needed.
LikeLike
Some nice photos, Ste J. You have a pictorial perspective. Sometime I think you ought to pick some particular book you’ve read and discuss maybe how you visualize the scenes that are described. For example, often when I read a book, the descriptions of places match up in my visualizing abilities with places I’ve actually been and seen, though a bit altered to fit the story involved. Just a thought.
LikeLike
What an intriguing idea, I like your thinking, I shall add it to the 150 odd drafts and think on it some.
LikeLike
Ok, I’m going out on a limb here, but I likethe second picture best. It has buckets of charm! 😉
LikeLike
Haha, you pile on the humour in spades!
LikeLike
I have enjoyed catching up with your recent posts – what a great time you have been enjoying! I love all the various literary references – particularly the Narnian chairs. And I approve greatly of your recent book acquisitions. Funnily enough, I am about to embrace Seneca, having recently been working my way through Meditations – I seem to be on a bit of a stoic-run. 🙂
LikeLike
Seneca seemed to be following me around that day, I came across the same book in three different bookshops so pretty much had to pick it up. Having just picked up Football Manager 17 I think stoicism will be the order of the day in some obscure league somewhere in a tiny nation somewhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That Seneca is a little devil, isn’t he. The perfect virtual coach to help you on your way in all sorts of games, I should think.
LikeLike
Having just taken over Maidstone half way through the season and they are rock bottom of the league I will need some sort of help, perhaps some Roman values like annihilating the opposition!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps you need a sprinkling of Sun Tzu’s Art of War….?
LikeLike
If it stops me conceding late goals I certainly will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ‘d watched 13 seasons of Midsomer Murders,., then stopped when Tom Barnaby ” retired ” and his cousin John ( ? ) Barnaby took over his position. I have resumed watching last month, and am now starting to like the new Barnaby. The series is already on its 18th season. Wait, what’s my point ? The stories take place at an idyllic , very English countryside…… and I love it. But ,believe it or not, I have to watch it with English subtitle, haha ha. Do all small English villages look like that ? They are so postcard pretty !
LikeLike
A lot of the ones down south tend to look like that if they are right out in the country away from built up towns. Sometimes subtitles are handy even for us over here, lol. We have so many dialects for such a small landmass, it can be confusing even for us natives. If I ever stumble across such a village, you shall have many photos and a history lesson too!
LikeLike
The grave marker is very neat!
LikeLike
The old stone is so weathered that its nice to be able to read the original for all those pilgrims…and me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, have to agree with Jill and Letizia 🙂 Wonderful photos, Ste J. My imagination would be running wild too.
LikeLike
Thank you, I have little confidence in my own abilities sometimes but it seems to have turned out alright again. Practise is what U shall endeavour to do when the chance arises again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved these pics – have shared these posts with a friend who is up that way a lot, as I know she’ll enjoy your posts and photos.
LikeLike
Thank you my friend, I wish I would have taken more photos but I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts…strangely it seems I get more focused when out with others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photos, Steve. I particularly enjoyed the Anne Bronte gravemarkers.
LikeLike
It’s nice that they have preserved the words off of the original stone without replacing it which would have lost the effect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true. When you were in Boston, did you visit Paul Revere’s grave?
LikeLike
Yes, I wandered the Freedom Trail and came across it, that was before I got all dehydrated from the hot day, lol…it was a memorable wander though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, good. I could spend hours in that little grave yard.
LikeLike
If only it wasn’t for those bloody tourists like me ruining the atmosphere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!
LikeLike
I love Scarborough! I’ve not been there for years. And yes, deceptively steep! Last time I went I was heavily pregnant and bought a cone of chips and looked up and thought castle didn’t look too far and I’ll walk it easy peasy. I don’t think I’d have made it without the chips to power me.
LikeLike
The struggle is real…that is until you see people coming the other way, or people to overtake then its easy loping ‘look at me I’m like a Terminator’ style of walking. I bet that was an epic waddle up the hill for you, thank goodness for all those benches that allow us the excuse to just be looking at the view and not needing to recover from what feels like a severe heart attack.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After seeing Anne’s grave marker here I thought what exactly did she write, aside from poetry? I see there are two novels. I recently reread Wuthering Heights by her sister Emily and hope to write a post soon about my thoughts on it. I am glad you had a nice trip and like the inclusion of the Lord of the Rings reference 🙂
LikeLike
I look forward to your thoughts of Wuthering Heights, I wasn’t that much of a fan when I read it but maybe one day I will have another go at it. Book references come so freely in Scarborough, I like to think it is Anne infusing the ground with her ‘mad skillz’ as I am sure she would have called them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s funny, I wasn’t a huge fan of Wuthering Heights the first time I read it but then the second read had me deep into the pages. It was like I couldn’t get enough of it. Maybe it’s all about timing?
LikeLike
Yes timing is a wonderful thing when you have it, I will maybe reread it again one day, I want to attempt Moby Dick again as well…which I am sure will be fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does look like Lord of the Rings. I hope you’ll run into a hobbit sometime. That would be fun. The picnic table looks like it’s about hobbit sized.
LikeLike
I met a deer which was close enough on account of hairy feet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Most enjoyable post and all good photos! I never remembered to visit Anne’s grave while I was there which I was very annoyed about so thanks for visiting for me! 😉
LikeLike
Not a lot is made of the grave but typically I missed it for most of my time whilst walking past it every day bar one. Next time I go somewhere I will get a list going of what people want to see, it would make for a different adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good idea!
LikeLike
I love your outings, Ste J 🙂 The pictures are always fascinating for so many reasons. It’s so sad that Anne Bronte died so young 😦 , but I guess back then it wasn’t that unusual. And for sure—-get off the road! 😉
LikeLike
I do like the small details as well as the obviously beautiful stuff. It is amazing how far medicine has come and for that matter special effects in films lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, and how they came up with that distinctive “waviness” for the Ringwraiths!
LikeLike
It’s good to find those little hidden spots that others miss, you found some lovely ones here – and didn’t forget the literature connection either 🙂
LikeLike
It’s great to see books bleed into the real world in unexpected ways, the world is wonderful when one looks at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The winding roads…aha…I love to take strolls through such roads on a sunny morning.
It’s a sheer coincidence that I was reading Anne Brontë’s poems a few days ago.
LikeLike
I love little coincidences like that. You would love the walks, the sea air and my company as its always nice to have company on such rambles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that last photo does have a Lord of the Rings feel. All of the others you snapped makes me yearn for a trip across the pond. The first round is on you right? 😉
LikeLike
Make it the first three rounds as an extra incentive to come across!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll well drunk by the third. lol
LikeLike
When traveling I think it is all about the small details, but they sometimes get lost, as we do, in the crowds. Would love to walk up some of these same streets someday.
LikeLike
I take a notebook with me usually but sometimes there is just too much to document and then recall with decent clarity after the fact, the challenge of a travel post! Those streets would be right up your street with great views and no chance of getting lost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always carry a notebook with me when I travel. I love jotting down my thoughts and emotions when I come across something that tugs at me. I would be less than honest if I didn’t also admit that with my advancing age, it helps me to remember all I have seen. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m with you there but my worry is that if I nip into a pub for a few pints, things may get hazy so it makes sense. We are much alike!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, I admit it, the wine tastings along my route added to my haze. 🙂
LikeLike
I knew it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also like my microbrews so we should do just fine when we meet. 🙂
LikeLike
It will be a fine meet indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi thats emily brontes sisters graveyard right?
LikeLike
It certainly is!
LikeLike