Would You Like a Bite?

Yesterday Graham and I went to the Draculafest in Whitby.  I took over 300 images and there were few that I wanted to delete.  With that being said there are still over 50 of my favourites I want to show to you.

If you know me well then you know that I hate crowds.  If you don't know me well then just look on my blog and remember my first New Years Eve here, that was my worst nightmare.  But yesterday I had a purpose amongst the millions of costumers, I wanted photos to use in creative pieces for competitions at the camera club.

Let it be said that Whitby was beautiful.  It's cliffs and sandy beaches were stunning.
Bram Stoker wrote about Whitby in the story Dracula, he depicted the evening drama against the background of the Abby ruins. He wrote about the North sea and a ship sinking to it's depths with the captain tied to the wheel as a fierce looking dogs made it's way up the stairs to the abby.  Little did he realize that many years later people would flock to the same scene dressed in their scary best.
This was not just a one off, these people cross all generations and it has become a family tradition for some.  I think that the ratio of costumers and us regular folk was about 1:1 believe it or not.


Let's start here….    This is the beautiful coastal view of Whitby.

A landmark memorial on the pier, for those lost at sea.

Here we go Jim, we could make a trailer when I come home and travel all the medieval fairs of Ontario making Tin Type prints in a trailer.  They processed the tin plates under a sheet in the trailer and fixed/washed them outside to get attention and sell the works. Brilliant minds.

Graham saw this on a BBC TV show.  It's an alley behind the shops that winds up the hill towards the Abbey.  Along the way are a couple more shops and cottages.

Looking down from about midway.

At the top.

Mini effect on the harbour from above.

The infamous stairs in Stoker's Dracula.

Mini effect, I feel like I have to tell you each time.

This was terrible, a traffic jam of people, just as many wanting up and wanting down the hill and no where to move.  We stood still for much of the time.  What should have taken 5 minutes or so to walk, took about 30.

Quaint little flower shop on a corner.

We were greeted by a good (not great) sunset as we headed back to the car at the park and ride and then headed into the city to see the Abbey at night.

We visited the Abbey during the evening so that we could see the illuminations and the actors who told the stories of Sweeney Todd, Body Snatching in the 16th century and the life of a  Surgeon in Whitby during the 15-16th centuries.  And as a final performance, Dracula.  The Actors were amazing, they added so much humour to the shows and reminded me how great the story of Dracula was.

Okay, here are the costumers.

I'm just getting started in this first photo and I felt a bit awkward asking them to pose, so I'm shooting at a distance.

Now I'm asking them to stop.

Here I'm comfortable asking them to look my way.

This girl is a natural, ready to pose and have fun.

These people are here to be photographed and there were lots of photographers there to help.

Below, the chaos in the Church cemetery.

This is a raven, she is only 7 months old and not fully grown.  She was really magnificent up close.

With many thanks to Graham I am able to tick off one of the boxes on my "Places to Visit This Year List" and speak to tell the tale.

Taking the Lakes in Stride

I've had the most pleasurable 5 days in the lakes. I had a day in Carlisle with my friend Amy (from first year at Tollbar), 4 wonderful days with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins and then the best drive home with my friend Cath and her family.  I am so thankful for friends and family who've shown me around this beautiful country I've seen sights that many Brits have overlooked.  But the best part is getting to know these wonderful people better.

This is part of the Carlisle Cathedral.

My cousin Brenda and I took in the beauty of Eskdale.

Then we headed over to an old church with another Viking cross.

Cath(teacher and friend from Tollbar), invited me to join them on a walk before heading back to Grimsby.  We walked through a few sheep pastures near Keswick and for little creatures they sure are intimidating.

Thanks everyone, you all make my time here so enjoyable, I hope you know how much I appreciate you all.

Wales Part Two

My last three days in Wales were packed with some of the most beautiful sights I have seen since the last time I wrote.  We visited  Anglesey, and Aienf;aierj;aenka/difieen/a/ or as you may know it…… Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (lan-vire-pool-guin-gith-go-ger-u-queern-drob-ooth-clandus-ilio-gogo-goch) is a Welsh word which translates roughly as "St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave".  Then we visited Danny's birthplace of Holywell, which by coincidence, is where my Uncle Tom used to live.  Then before catching a train (4trains) to visit my Aunt and Uncle in the lakes, we took in the sights of Chester.  And WOW, what a beautiful city.

This is Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey. King Edward I built it but it was never finished.  This disappointed me greatly, I like to envision who lived there and how they lived.  But it would have been grand if it had been completed.  I've also discovered a new effect in my camera "the miniature effect" I might overuse it but it is fun.

Looking out over the town and below over the river.

This is the gift shop at the most photographed train sign in the UK.

University of Bangor main arts building's front door.

We took a very long walk to castle ruins, note the mini effect, I LOVE it.

Selfie with Danny.

This is Holywell's claim to fame.  A well with believed healing powers.  I would claim healing just so as not to go into the water, it was freezing cold.

An abby ruins nearby, again the mini effect.

These three pigs will have a purpose somewhere in our camera club contests I'm sure.

Our final evening together and we took in an incredible show, Little Shop of Horrors.  We had incredible seats and the show was fantastic.  It was "West Side London" quality.

Chester Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral were these massive heating units.

After years of renovating, this clock tower had the official unavailing while we were visiting.  Even though we arrived on time, we somehow missed the event.

Thanks Danny and Josh.   You gave me an opportunity to see another country in a way no tourist ever could, someday I hope to do the same for you both.  And to all the friends whom I've made whilst here, who have made this journey so incredible, please come visit me in Waterloo.