Fish and Chips — Blog — They Grow up so Quickly

So another brilliantly sunny Sunday, I cannot remember the last time we had such a good spell of hot weather, saw us heading to the North York Moors to go on the North York Moors Railway. We had been wanting to do this for a while, but when we last tried to go it was fully sold out. This time saw at least 70 free tickets when we booked online, saving a whole £2 per person. We had persuaded our friend Lydia to be tortured by Lyns' love of all things steam train related and, as her husband was away on a stag do, she leapt at the chance. The only problem was we had booked on the 9:30 train which meant we had to leave at 8, meaning Lyns had to be out of bed by 7!! to make matters worse, she had been to see Paloma Faith at the race course the night before. To help things move a long, I was up early, got James dressed and ready to and Lyns' alarm clock was a chirpy James giving her kisses and cuddles. I can think of worse ways to be woken.

We got on the road early, fearing that the masses would be heading to the beach for the day. We risked the A64 and there was very little traffic. It meant that we were at the station by 8:45 raring to go. I left Lyns with James and popped over to get some drinks from Costa. No better way of cheering up a tired and jaded Lyns than by giving her a hot chocolate. Unfortunately, I had ordered her a cup of tea, thinking the caffeine would be a help. Here was problem number two, the lady in Costa had got out order wrong and given me a decaf tea and as full fat coffee!! DOH!!! Then, to make things even worse, they put so much milk in it, it was undrinkable. My only saving grace was that I had made Lyns a sausage sandwich before we left. At least I had collected a couple of brownie points.

My hot drink is fine mummy - thanks pal!

The boys were loving the train, as it was all a big adventure for them, even Lydia was getting into the spirit of stream train things. We had decided on the first train of the day so we could get to Whitby, have some dinner and have a bit of time for a wander around. It did not quite work out like that, but the intention was there.

Who is more excited do you think??? Closet train spotter??

After the two(ish) hour trip to Whitby which, if you have never been, goes through some stunning scenery on the moors, we jumped off the train and heading into the town. As expected, the town was absolutely heaving. Even though it was only 11:30, we decided to head to get some lunch before it got busier.

When it Whitby, where else is there to go for fish and chips other than the Magpie Cafe. We headed straight there and were shown to a table. No queue at all. Good job we went when we did, by the time we left, they were queueing onto the street. We had a lovely dinner. Lydia and I were strange and had our fish grilled, albeit with sauce and chips, and Lyns had scampi. It was delicious. Then came the question of the obligatory ice-cream at the sea side. Because it was so hot and we were in a lovely air conditioned restaurant, we stayed inside. All the big children had sundaes and the boys had ice-cream and chocolate fish. By the time we had finished stuffing ourselves, it was time to head back to the train. So much for seeing the sea and the beach. One of those things.

Fully fuelled and back on the train.   Lyns bought this stick of rock for a friend.   James dropped it on the floor and it smashed, cue angry words from Lyns, before she promptly left it on the train when we got off at the next stop! — Fully fuelled and back on the train. Lyns bought this stick of rock for a friend. James dropped it on the floor and it smashed, cue angry words from Lyns, before she promptly left it on the train when we got off at the next stop!

Someone was excited to be back on the train

For our trip back we had decided to split it into two parts. This was primarily because the boys were starting to get tired and with it came a few grumps from both of them! I know, I know, you cannot believe it from these two as butter definitely will not melt.

Lydia giving Ted a countdown from three.   For some reason, she managed to get stuck on one when there was some defiance. — Lydia giving Ted a countdown from three. For some reason, she managed to get stuck on one when there was some defiance.

Luckily, Lyns and I had come prepared for this eventuality and we pulled out the super hero capes. These are quickly becoming our standard solution to tired and grumpy little ones. Immediately the boys cheered up and promised to be good.

As we were splitting the return journey into two, we got off in Goathland, famed for being the setting of Heartbeat and more recently Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter. It is a stunning little village, maybe five minutes walk from the station. Lyns was even able to replace the stick of rock that she had left on the train. However, the main reason we chose to stop here, apart from, it being half way, was that there is a play park and we know how the little super heroes love a play park.

Apparently, it is not only the kids that love a play park

Mummy definitely not competing in the coolness stakes

Then, out came the capes again and onto the swing the two super heroes went. With the wind whistling through their hair and capes flying out behind them, they soared backwards and forwards, until mummy super pushing energy ran out.

Over the course of the day, Lydia had shown Lyns how to do boomerangs on Instagram, no idea what they are but apparently they are all the rage. In practical terms, this meant that the boys were made to jump off the toadstools in the playground time and time again, much to their amusement and with much merriment. They boys loved it and Lyns boomeranged to her heart's content.

After the boys had had their fill of the park, we all headed back to the train station. After grabbing a coffee it was back onto the train for the hour or so trip back to Pickering.

Our train arriving in.   For some reason, all the engines we saw throughout the day were travelling backwards — Our train arriving in. For some reason, all the engines we saw throughout the day were travelling backwards

We arrived back just before 6 and, with the sunsetting on a lovely day out, we said goodbye to Lydia and Ted and headed home. James zonked out when his head hit the car seat and we were able to transfer him straight to bed when we got home. A lovely day in the sun, with some wonderful company.

So a Saturday is usually a day of Gym Bobs in the morning and then swimming in the afternoon, with a little fun along the way. However, as I went to load the little man into the car, I could not find the car seat. Lyns had taken it to work!!! Not that I could be annoyed as I have done it time enough, even on three consecutive days in one instance. This meant that James and I had a bonus day together to do something. Bundling him into the buggy while he was still in the mood to go out, we headed to the bus stop.

Now, James it not shy when it comes to speaking about what he sees. As we were getting onto the bus he had a quizzical look on his face and was unusually quiet. I did not think anything of it. However, just after we sat down, his little voice rang out across the bus, "Daddy, why does that lady have a hairy face?". He had spotted an old lady who, to be fair, was sporting an impressive white beard. Luckily she had not heard, but there were a few laughs from the people sat around me! I was mortified.

After that, the rest of the trip was uneventful. We arrived in York in time for lunch. I gave James the choice and he chose fish and chips, one of his favourites. We found a fish and chip shop, James had fish goujons, five good sized pieces of fish, and I have a small fish and chips as I am trying to lose a bit of weight and get fit. My fish was a good size, but as I unwrapped I thought they had forgotten the chips, alas no, the fifteen chips that I had were hidden under the fish. By the time James had had his share, the James tax as we call it in our household, there were only the scraps left for me. At least he is helping me cut down. It was very pleasant sat in the Minster Gardens eating our lunch. It is somewhere we go quite often when we are in town and eating a picnic lunch.

The winner of the biggest mouthful is ...

How much can one little boy fit in his mount?

After we had eaten lunch we went to have a look around the Castle Museum. James loves exploring in there, especially the victorian street. There is so much for him to do and to see. He cannot take it all in. Because we were late into town, we did not have a huge amount of time as Nana and Grandad were coming for dinner. As we are YMT card holders, it does not matter if it is only a short visit.

This time, the first place we stopped for a look was the room that shows some of the fashions through the ages. James was not so much interested in the clothing, rather the cat walk which he loved running up and down.

Next it was onto the victorian street. Instantly I could tell James has visited here far too often recently as he knew how many carriages there are and took me to see each one in turn. Every time though, I think he finds something different to look at. Today he was intrigued by the toilets.

The other place James spent a lot of time today was in the prison cell. He loved opening and closing the big iron gate.

The last bit we looked round today was the World War One display. I always find this very difficult as James asks what happened to all the people and wants the memorials reading out to him. Very hard to explain to a toddler the concept of death, so we tell him that all the people have gone up to the stars. Lyns has a lovely way of remembering those who are no longer with us and every time she sees a robin, it is granny coming back to see us. James knows of this so as I read all the names to him, he looked at me very seriously and told me that all the people would be going to see their families as a robin so that they could see them again and then they would not be sad. You have got to marvel at how simply a child sees the world and how amazing it is to start experiencing the world again through them.

It was then off to play in the trench tunnel and the hollowed out tree.

By now we had run out of time. Back to the buggy, onto the bus and home. James saw none of this because, as soon as I sat him in the buggy, he had fallen asleep. Half an hour later we were home and I was enjoying a drink whilst James had a snooze. Another successful day of wearing him out done.

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