Whitsun with the Whites

The first of four camping trips planned for this year (yes two, plus another two) is done and, well, it wasn't too bad. OK, it was actually really good.  This might have something to do with the fact that we didn't have to erect (or dismantle) the structure you see above you.  It even had a heater, a fridge, a cooker and a kettle.

Oh, and a sofa. 

The Scarborough weather disappointed to begin with.

But the sun eventually came out, along with the disposable barbecue. 

The most bizarre element of the trip was a visit to the Alpamare water park, the like of which I'd not seen before. 

Below is a picture of one of its two outdoor pools. Yes, outdoors.  In Scarborough.  In North Yorkshire.  And it's open all year round.   

Vanessa sold the visit idea to me on the basis that the pools are heated.  I confess that I was not in any way a believer before sliding in with the air temperature already close to freezing.  But, for possibly the first time ever, I was wrong.  Both pools were genuinely like entering a bath.

Then it was back inside to try all four water slides on offer.  Loads of times.  I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.  Prior to the kids' arrival in our lives, I lost count of the number of small children who gave me dirty looks as I stood in front of them in a water slide queue waiting impatiently for my turn. And the Scarborough slides were as good if not better than any I'd been on before.   

Do yourself a favour and go if you can. 

And so on to Monday and a visit to Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington to allow Jamie to indulge in a spot of bird watching. 

Unfortunately because we are the Whites, the fog rolled in and sightings were limited.  

With some exceptions, such as these gannets.  

Jamie also managed to spy seven puffins, bringing the grand total of real puffins he's seen in his lifetime to, er, seven.

So that was our half-term treat.  I hope you enjoyed yours if you had one, or are having fun if still on location.

Our next trip?  Camping.  In a little tent.  Which I have to put up myself as Vanessa is arriving late.  And after that?  Oh yes, camping.  Sometimes I wonder why we even bothered to buy an actual house.