All About Puffins

All About Puffins

There are lots of things I love, but nature and wildlife is right there at the top of my list. Until last year I had never, ever seen a Puffin in the wild. I had only ever seen them in books before, and for some reason I imagined them to be similar in size to Penguins!! Haha silly me!! They are the cutest little birds ever, growing to about 10 inches tall.

The word Puffin is thought to come from the word ‘puff’ which refers to swollen. And it is the puffin chick that contributes best to this name because of its round, puffed look resulting from its dense cover of down feathers - an adaptation for retaining body heat while the parent is off fishing.  They actually look like little puff balls with beak and feet.                               

Puffins are also known as "clown of the ocean" and "sea parrot" because of their clown-like facial markings and colorful beak (more like that of toucans). Those beaks are very useful though as they can hold several fish at a time to take back to feed the Pufflings. The record in Britain for how many fish a Puffin can hold in it's beak is a whopping 62!! Wow, that's impressive!!!

Someone told me about Bempton Cliffs being a wonderful place to get to see Puffins and I have to say I was not disappointed. They arrive there to breed around the end of March and stay until mid August when the baby Puffling has fledged and they are ready to go back out to sea. As they keep the same mate and the same burrows every season they come back to Bempton Cliffs year after year to breed. They only lay one egg a year so have to make sure it is well protected. This is why their burrows are 2 - 3 ft long and are on steep sea cliffs so predators can't easily reach them. 

Puffins don't usually start breeding until about 5 years old and they live to around 20 years old.  Their main natural predator is the Great Black-backed Gull. This Gull can catch an adult Puffin in mid-air. The Gull will circle high above the Puffin colony and pick out a solitary Puffin and catch it from behind by dive bombing the unwary Puffin. Herring Gulls like to steal the fish that the Puffin catches so if you spot a Puffin circling past it's burrow several times then it is probably waiting for the coast to be clear of Herring Gulls so that it can deliver it's haul of fish to the Puffling.

I personally find these birds fascinating and love the fact that there is a properly set up viewing station to witness these wonderful birds at Bempton Cliffs. It is a proper RSPB site with very well informed staff ready and willing to help answer any questions you may have on any of the birds that flock there (not just Puffins). They also have a shop and cafe there should you want refreshments. What more could you want from a fab day out in Yorkshire?! And it's only an hour away from Whitby!! I'll definitely be going back soon!!

 

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Enjoy a Good Old British Holiday on the North Yorkshire Coast

Enjoy a Good Old British Holiday on the North Yorkshire Coast

Have you ever stayed on a Holiday Park in England before?

If the answer is no, then what are you waiting for! Whitby is a beautiful old fishing town with lots of character. The old town on Church Street has lots of little alleyways off the cobbled street that leads up to Henrietta Street where you will find the foot of the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey.

We are located approx 1 mile from Whitby town centre along the coastal footpath which is part of the Cleveland Way. 

On our Park we have the Galleon Club which is just in the process of being upgraded, where all the family can enjoy some social time together. Whether you are just relaxing in the club, or enjoying the new Hub IT Room with our XBox or I-pads to use I am sure there is something to entertain all the family.

Here at Whitby Holiday Park we have a variety of holiday accommodation to suit everyone's needs. We have Pet Friendly accommodation so that the furry family members can come along on holiday too! They will be pleased to see the doggy treats we have waiting for them in your accommodation to welcome them on to Park!






We also provide holiday accommodation for those customers who don't have pets or have allergies to pets.

We have Gold standard of holiday accommodation which offers a contemporary interior with elegant features along with home from home comforts. Each caravan has a double bedroom, one or two twin bedrooms, double glazing and central heating.

Our top range of holiday accommodation is our Platinum homes.
They provide some of the luxuries you would find at home, such as flat screen TV/DVD player in the lounge as well as a TV in the master bedroom, ipod docking station and a cafetiere for those lovely morning fresh coffees you can make!  Everyone like a little luxury from time to time and these homes are perfect for treating that someone special in your life!

We also have an Access Plus holiday accommodation home for those customers who need a little assistance which makes it easier for wheelchair users. Families find it ideal too who have young children as the extra space is most welcome! This holiday accommodation is in the perfect location for easy access to the shop and other amenities on Park. The home is on the end of a row on a spacious pitch with parking at the side. There is a ramped veranda to the side of the holiday home to the door for good access. There is a well equipped kitchen with some lowered surfaces, moveable dining furniture, and the bathroom has all the extra supported needs for those customers who need it, such as a seat in the shower.

Our touring field is ideally located just behind our Reception, Shop and Laundry room. The pitches are grassed with 16amp electrical hook up points aswell as a light. There are water points located around the touring field as well as points for emptying your chemical toilets. Some pitches have a full sea view, which are extremely popular as there is no better way than to pass the day away sat out on a bright, sunny, warm day watching the ships sail passed. The pitches that are more central on our touring field have views that look out towards Whitby Abbey.

The motorhome hardstanding pitches we have are a hard base with water and electric hook up points located at the back of the pitch. there is a chemical toilet disposal point close by and we have a motorhome service point available to make it easier for our customers to empty grey water and refill at the water point that is located to the side of the service pull in area.

We have our Galleon Club which has just been upgraded with a new Hub IT Room, as well as a Cafe selling delicious meals and a Shop to pick you your daily papers or magazines, we offer lots of things that are available on your doorstep! So if you don't fancy going out one day and just want to relax in your holiday home you can do, knowing we have facilities on Park you can use without driving or walking a distance!

We have lots to offer families and couples alike, so if this sounds appealing to you what are you waiting for! Book your holiday with us today! Yorkshire is a beautiful county and there is lots to see and do in our area, I;m sure you won't be disappointed!

I look forward to welcoming you at the start of your holiday and you can always pop into Reception if you are wanting some ideas of places for you to visit or some information on our other Parks if you have got the holiday bug!

Claire
Reception

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Rohilla Disaster

Rohilla Rescue Remembered:

One of the most dramatic lifeboat rescues in Whitby’s history was remembered 90years on at a special ceremony in 2004.

Eighty four people out of 229 on the Rohilla – a First World War hospital ship – perished on October 30, 1914 when it ran aground on reef at Saltwick Nab.

No fewer than six lifeboats were involved in the rescue, from stations as far apart as Scarborough and Tynemouth.

They battled to save as many people as possible in horrendous storm conditions.

Relatives and friends of those connected to the disaster – many of the men who died were part of the same St Johns Ambulance Brigade group in Barnoldswick, Lancashire were invited to attend the Whitby RNLI-organised service on Saturday 30^th October which started at 2.30pm at the bandstand.

After the service, weather permitting, it was planned to have a wreath laying at the site of the wreck from the old lifeboat, the Mary Ann Hepworth, which was to be escorted by the current lifeboat.

To mark the occasion Greig Tindall of the Whitby Gazette recounted the disaster which portrays the  true bravery and heroism of the lifeboat volunteers which is inherent in the counterparts today…

THE steamer Rohilla, a 7,100-tonne hospital ship, was on her way from Queensferry to Dunkirk with 229 people on board.

Shortly after 4am on 30^th October 1914, in a fierce east-south–easterly gale, she ran onto a reef of rocks at Saltwick Nab near Whitby.

The ship broke in half as soon as she struck – and those in the aft part of the ship were washed away or drowned.

Daybreak was the earliest the people of Whitby could begin their rescue attempt.

In an extraordinary effort, the towns number two lifeboat - John Fielden - was hauled along the rocky foreshore and over an 8ft sea wall.

Amid great waves, the lifeboat reached the Rohilla and took 12 men and 5 women, all of whom were nurses.

One – Mary Roberts – had amazingly survived the sinking of the Titanic two earlier.

The lifeboat stationed at Upgang was called for and a remarkable overland journey followed through the town, across fields and by rope down to the beach.

The weather had the final say and huge seas meant the rescue had to be put off.

Six RNLI lifeboats from Whitby, Upgang, Scarborough, Teesmouth and Tynemouth – most of them rowing boats – were involved in the rescue.

But for their efforts many more than the 84 who did lose their lives would probably have perished as well.

What makes the Rohilla incident so poignant was the prolonged rescue attempt to save those still on board.

It was 5o hours after the stranding that the last survivors were brought ashore in full view of the hundreds of townsfolk who came to watch the rescue from the beach and cliffs above the wreck, waving lanterns and cheering on the rescuers.

In recording the event, the lifeboat journal said “the services rendered have added another splendid page to the annals of heroism and humanity which make up a story of the lifeboat foundation of the institution.”

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   A full account of the Rohilla disaster is displayed at the Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Museum in Pier Road and on the website: www.rnli.org.uk

An excellent account is also available in Whitby author Colin Brittain’s book - Into the Maelstrom – The Wreck of HMHS Rohilla.

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Holiday Home Ownership - Home from Home

HOLIDAY HOME OWNERSHIP-HOME FROM HOME

Have you ever thought of owning your own Holiday Home?

If the answer is yes, then why not come and view the caravans we have for sale!

We have a range of caravans to choose from and also a choice of pitch on which to put your new Holiday Home! If you are looking for the home from home feel, then look no further as our new stylish caravans offer you everything you need which you would find at home, from central heating, to comfy seating and some even have USB points with the plug sockets! So no need to fight over plug spaces to charge your phones or other mobile devices!! 

We have the following Holiday Homes available:

2017 Victory Sandhurst

This is the layout of the Sandhurst and as you can see the lounge is nice and cosy with wrap around seating area.

Main Features of the Sandhurst:

• uPVC double glazing
• central heating
• Insulation to all exposed water pipes.
• Galvanised chassis
• Coffee table
• Voile curtains to most windows

• TV point to master bedroom
• Intergrated fridge/freezer
• Intergrated microwave
• USB charging points to lounge and bedrooms
• LED lamps to most light fittings

(typical lounge layout)

I'm sure you will agree that the Sandhurst offers the combination of style and comfort, making those special summer evenings special to enjoy with all the family. 

The key features that are bang on trend for 2017 are the USB points in the lounge and bedrooms along with the pastel yellow decor throughout the caravan. 

The cost of this caravan is £39,500.00

(typical bedroom layout)

2017 Victory Torino Super

This is the typical layout of the Victory Torino Super that we have for sale at the moment. With a

double bedroom and twin bedroom, bathroom with shower, WC and sink and then a separate WC and sink, makes this Holiday Home perfect for all the family.



(typical lounge interior)

The Victory Torino brings the outdoors in, with the panoramic views you can enjoy thanks to its 3 panel windows allowing a lot of light into the lounge area hence giving the illusion of the outdoors coming in.

The Main Features of the Torino are:

• double glazing
• central heating
• insulation to all exposed water pipes
• galvanised chassis
• voile curtains to most windows
• TV point to master bedroom
• free standing fridge/freezer
• USB charging points to lounge and bedrooms

The spacious living area includes ample storage making this holiday home practical for storing all the kids toys etc! 

The Torino boasts natural tones throughout giving the feel of a very relaxing and calming environment for all the family to enjoy or as a relaxing get away for couples who like to enjoy time to themselves!

(typical kitchen layout)

The Victory Torino is for sale at £39,000.00

 

2017 Willerby Rio Premier

This is the typical layout of the Rio Premier. With wrap around seating to the front of the Holiday Home, giving the comfy home from home feel. 

The Rio Premier has a zesty colour scheme throughout the Holiday Home, creating a light and airy feel throughout.

The Main Features are:

• PVC double glazing
• central heating
• domestic style "floating" lounge seating with scatter cushions
• stainless steel modern gas fire
• intergrated fridge/freezer
• intergrated microwave
• fixed dinette seating with freestanding pedestal dining table

The Willerby Rio Premier is for sale at £39,000.00

As you can see the Holiday Homes are very luxurious and modern.

If you are interested in coming along to our Holiday Park to view our Holiday Homes for sale and to view the park then please give the Reception a call on 01947 602664

We are located perfectly for a nice stroll into Whitby or for the more adventurous of you there is the walk to Robin Hoods Bay which is around 5 miles. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our park and showing you what we have to offer! 

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