Wednesday 31 July 2013

Staithes Lifeboat Weekend coming up!

Staithes will be buzzing this weekend, with the much-loved Staithes & Runswick RNLI Lifeboat Weekend taking over the village and harbour. The weather forecast is fabulous, with sunshine and a busy breeze, promoting plenty of action on and off the water. There are events planned in both Runswick (a 90-minute walk from Staithes, along the Cleveland Way) and Staithes, and even one in between: the Runswick Bay yacht club usually have a race between the two harbours. Duncan actually won this last year in a sea kayak but was disqualified for taking a short cut beneath the cliffs while everyone else went around the buoys!! I think he should have got a special award for effort... Anyway, it should be a fun weekend; Dunsley (www.dunsleyinstaithes.co.uk) is busy with guests but we're hoping to nip over for the day. So, we might see you there!

Picture: the Staithes lifeboat on its new ramp on the west side of the harbour; the pale yellow building on the far side of the harbour is the Cod & Lobster pub... the perfect location for a glass of something refreshing!

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Staithes Pop-Up Restaurant

We've just had the most wonderful evening in Staithes, sampling the summer menu for Lisa@The Gallery's seasonal pop-up restaurant. First up was Pimms, canapés and a tour of the gallery (we bought yet another piece for Dunsley holiday cottage, a fabulous print on antique linen, of a John Dory, by acclaimed local artist Ian Burke). Then we adjourned upstairs for a three-course meal with wine, with 18 of us sitting around two large tables. Ian Burke was at our table; he's just had a piece accepted into the Royal Academy so it was a pleasant surprise to see him in Staithes. The menu had a choice of three for each course: fish, meat, vegetarian. I chose the hot crab ramekin as a starter, half a Staithes lobster with hot garlic, herb and butter sauce and salad for main, and Lisa's gloriously silky chocolate panna cotta for desert. Duncan had tomato, basil and local feta to start, and guinea fowl breast for main; again, delicious. Afterward we repaired to the Cod & Lobster for a late glass of wine (or pint of beer), leaning against the harbour railings, watching the tide ebb. What an absolute joy: we must do it again sometime! Details of dates for the next pop-up are on our website www.dunsleyinstaithes.co.uk, on the What's On page. See you there!