Whale Watching from Whitby

I’ve had a wonderful email from Suzanne, one of Dunsley’s regular guests, who has recently returned from Staithes. She writes “A highlight was whale watching out of Whitby (www.whitbywhalewatching.net). It threw it down with rain for 3 out of the 4 hours at sea. It was so cold and blustery, 10 miles out ! We had to resort to the skipper's emergency ponchos but I can honestly say the discomfort evaporated in an instant at the first sight of the whales. Absolutely wonderful... better than cream teas at Falling Foss tea garden !! Can't wait to return to Dunsley in December, the Victorian weekend at Robin Hoods Bay, cooking in your super kitchen with a lovely open fire to keep us snug... bliss!”

 I was so tickled by this description that I asked for more detail, thinking you might enjoy it too. Here it is: “September/October  is the optimum time for the whale watching, simply because the herrings spawn at that time, so we were told. The guy that took us showed us on the monitor where the shoal was and we were literally sat on top of it. Because its so easy for the seals to feast on the fish they were bobbing about in the water looking completely stuffed and where there are seals (especially fat, sleepy ones) there are usually whales. The record for sightings was 35 seals and 17 whales surrounding the boat one afternoon. Incredible ! Just hope no joker starts doing the Jaws theme tune !!  Actually, it's better to go on a dull day because the glare makes staring at the sea uncomfortable after a while.  That said, it must be nice to be able to get off the boat and still be able to feel your limbs ! The boat carries just 12 people plus crew so you have a great all round view of everything. Hope you get to go soon.”

 Many thanks to Suzanne!

BBC Countryfile at Staithes

Hot news: there is more to Staithes on the silver screen than Old Jack's Boat: Staithes is being featured on BBC Countryfile, with a piece on the port's traditional cobles. Our friend Steve, who did much of the renovation work on Dunsley holiday cottage (www.dunsleyinstaithes.co.uk) owns the last working coble in Staithes. Last week he hosted Ellie Harrison ("the bubbly blonde one"!) on his beautiful Rose of England, explaining the heritage of the coble. As the BBC's insurance policy wouldn't let him take Ellie out to sea they had to pootle around the harbour... The programme is scheduled to be screened on Sunday September 8th: mark the date!
 Here's a picture of Steve standing at the helm of Rose of England, in Staithes harbour (although not with Ellie...)

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!

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!

Staithes Festival 2013

After it's successful launch in 2012, the second Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage is to be held on the weekend of September 14-15, 2013. The action takes in the whole village, with pop-up galleries, workshops, demonstrations, talks and guided walks. Cottages will be opened as art installations, and live music takes place in the evenings. We have availability at Dunsley holiday cottage (www.dunsleyinstaithes.co.uk) for the week from September 13, or for a weekend short break (Friday to Monday, covering the festival). For more info on the festival, go to www.staithesfestival.com

50 Best Holiday Cottages includes Dunsley in Staithes

It's official: Dunsley in Staithes is one of Britain's best holiday cottages. This weekend Dunsley featured in the Independent on Saturday's selection of 'the 50 Best' , as part of the Romantic Hideaways group (18/05/2013). It was one of just three selected in North Yorkshire, with destinations ranging widely from northern Scotland to southern England and Wales.
 Judges were travel writer William Gray, authors David Else and Jim Manthorpe, travel journalist Emma Gregg and Alastair Sawday, founder of the guide to special places to stay.
 We are really delighted at Dunsley's inclusion, which adds even more weight to the wonderful feedback from our guests, both first-timers and regulars. Thank you all!

Dunsley's Kitchen/Diner: this picture was included in the Independent on Saturday's guide to The 50 Best Holiday Cottages

Daffodil Walk near Staithes

Spring has finally sprung, and the daffodils are out on the North York Moors. The most famous patch is in Farndale, just 40 minutes’ drive from Staithes and Dunsley holiday cottage (www.dunsleyinstaithes.co.uk).  Small wild daffodils grow in profusion along the river Dove, and the sight draws visitors from all over Britain. The best way to enjoy this wonderful sight is by walking along the footpath from Low Mill to Church Houses. It’s about 2.5km (1.5 miles) each way if you go all the way to Church Houses. The path is mostly level and very well made (it used to be quite boggy but a lot of work has been done on it in recent years), We enjoyed it one evening this week, stopping for a fantastic bar meal (homemade rabbit pie, chips and veg for under £10, really excellent food and great value) at the Feversham Arms at Church Houses. More on the Daffy Walk at www.farndale.org but you need to go soon, before the daffodils disappear for another year! The best route from Staithes to Farndale is to drive over the moors via Grinkle Park, Danby and Castleton to Blakey Rigg, turning right down the steep bank into Farndale just after the Lion Inn pub. You can park at Church Houses (in a field just past the pub) and walk to Low Mill and back, or drive down the dale to Low Mill (which also has a car park) and walk up to Church Houses. Both car parks charge £2 for the day.