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Christmas Train 2019

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Christmas Train 2019

Our annual outing to see Santa started early on a damp weekend morning. The year before we had taken a later train and had struggled to find somewhere nice to eat afterwards. This year we were on the 11am train, much to Lorna’s disgust as both her and Paul had been out the night before, and we arrived bright and early with plenty off time to get a hot chocolate and mince pie before. Pretty certain that certain members of our party were just topping up from the night before with the Bailey’s in the chocolate but less said about that the better.

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Steamy Santa

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With the first of December Xmas starts hotting up. The advent calendars are out, chocolate and Lego in James’ case, and there is talk of getting the tree out already. Last year we had been on the North York Moors Railway to see Santa and we decided to do the same this year. All in all there were twelve us on the train as we were going with our friends Lorna and Paul.

We arrived with plenty of time to spare and headed to get our mince pie and hot drink. Here we discovered a new winter drink, hot chocolate with Baileys. Yum Yum, we will definitely be doing that at home with our proper hot chocolate. As the train pulled into the station the kids got excited, so we headed across the bridge and jumped on.

This year was different, Santa walked along the train rather than being in a grotto and there was an elf per carriage who provided entertainment for the whole of the trip, from songs to games, it was really run, especially the audience participation.

The face when Santa was mentioned

James not so thrilled

Is he here yet?

What about now?

When Santa finally arrived, there was one person more excited than the rest. With children flying in all directions, Barbara moved so fast she was a blur as she threw herself at Santa. Santa greeted her with open arms and I can honestly say sparks flew, as to whether it was from Barbara and Santa or the breaks as he pulled the emergency stop chord, I will never know. Either way, things certainly heated up.

Once Santa had managed to escape it was time for the children to see Santa. They absolutely loved it. He asked them what they wanted for Christmas and then gave them a present. The two of them could not have been more excited.

After Santa’s visit, there was time for one more song. This time it was the Twelve Days of Christmas along with some actions. Our friendly elf had a different action and prop for each line and everyone joined in with good spirits.

HEEEELLLLLLOOOOO

COWABUNGA!!!

With one last wave, Santa was off

Once we got back to Pickering it was time to head back to York and dinner. We all headed to The Nags Head in Askham Bryan for tea. It was a lovely day out and everyone really enjoyed it. Will we do the same next year or will we go somewhere else? Only the magic of Christmas will tell.

Sun, Sea and Steam

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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.

Look what I can see

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.

The quintessential English lady abroad

Could be anywhere in Latin America

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!

Speeding through the countryside

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.

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.

Bat Ted to the rescue

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

Look, I can balance on the toadstool

Too cool for school (or nursery)

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.

How high can you go?

Two cheesy superheroes

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.

I can fly

To the rescue!

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.

The express to Whitby

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.