Family

The main reason for this trip was to go and see where my family was born and to see where my mum and her siblings grew up before heading to Australia. The beauty of doing this was to see and meet the family and friends that they left behind.

I myself had only ever met Grandma Palmers sister Mollie when she came to Australia for a holiday when I was about 12 years old. Most of the people in England had met me when I was visiting back in 1980 when I was eight months old. Needless to say I have no memory of that trip so I was meeting these people for the first time and meeting up again with Aunty Mollie. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her !!!

We met up with so many people, one of them was Debbie. Debbie is the niece of Aunty Norma and the daughter of Joyce. When we were about 10 or 12 years old Debbie and I became pen pals for a few years which was a lot of fun. It was great to meet her and her beautiful little boy. What a cutie !!

Beautiful mother and daughter

Told you he was a cutie.

Next family catch up was Huddersfield Football Club to meet up with Aunty Mollie, Angela and Ian who were kind enough to show us around and take us to where mum and the gang grew up. They also organised to pick up Aunty Mollie and get everyone together.

Angela and Ian

 

Can see the family resemblance here

 

The gorgeous and witty Aunty Mollie xx

 

 

Uncle Les, Angela, Ian, Lesley, Elaine, Aunty Mollie and

 

 

I just LOVED spending time with Aunty Mollie

 

 

Isn't she just the cutest !! Love her to bits xxx

What a great afternoon of laughter and tears. I'm sure Uncle Jim was feeling the same way and didn't want the day to end. Thanks everyone for a great catch up, great stories and some family history.

 

Another family get together was with John and Margaret. We all got together for a family dinner. Unfortunaly Sophie couldn't make it as she was feeling unwell being pregnant with her second child.

 

 

 

 

What a fantastic time we have all had catching up, swapping stories and being shown around. A massive thank you to each and every one of you. It has made my trip a true highlight and can't wait for you all to meet the rest of my little family on our return trip in a few years time.

Whitby

Whitby is a beautiful sea side fishing town from where Captain James Cook set sail on his adventures and from where he would discover Australia.

Another adventure and a great place to spend the day.

When we first arrived there was some kind of dance festival happening. Lots of great colour and movement.

Fishing boats just like home in Wollongong

Along the piers and around the edge there were heaps of people side by side all crab fishing. It was so strange to see so many people doing the same thing and everyone was catching something. If I was a crab I would have been swimming in a different direction !!!

 

Ah more things reminding me of home !! Mr Seagull

The following picture was one of the funniest that I took the whole trip. Jim and I couldn't believe what we were seeing. Pretty pointless I think but anything goes here.

An ice cream van on the "beach" !!! So funny had to share !!

Beach dressing sheds all brightly coloured.

The other entrance to the beach.

Tides in, no walking on the beach for us today.

We were lucky enough to see the bridge open for a few boats.

Such a pretty place with so many quaint little shops. Yes did some shopping !!! But now to climb some more steps to visit the Abbey and the church !!

Nearly at the top.

Yep made it all the way !!

The beautiful view of Whitby.

Love the old tombstones, just wish someone could care for them a little better.

The remnants of the old Abbey.

The new Abbey.

One of my favourite pictures

Saltburn

Our next day trip was to Whitby with a few stops on the way. But I have split the post in two as the Saltburn really needed it's own post. We were only here for about half an hour to stretch our legs and only in the one spot but what a spot it was. It's a tiny seaside town but packed a punch. I loved the place if you can't already tell !!!

How cool a cable car to go from the top right down to the beach.

What a great ride and it's all controlled with water. Fill up one car and it pulls the other. Only one pound each way.

All ready to ride with our puppy dog friend.

Made it to the beach

Ah just like home.

These were really cool knitted craft sewn onto the pier rails.

Aren't they cute !!

These trolley cars were great. Better than stairs any day !!

 Another great part of Saltburn was the ice cream. There was an ice cream van at the top of the hill and he was serving licorice and blueberry ice cream. Wow what a great combo. Wish they had that here in Oz. Thanks Saltburn for an awesome half hour that I will remember forever. Now back on the bus as we head to Whitby.