It has become a bit of a tradition that rather than buying gifts for each other at birthdays we would buy a weekend away and for Heather's **th birthday (I dare not mention which one, but it is closer to 50 than 40) we were off to Filey!

The trains were a little bit awry when we arrived at Derby station and instead of catching the 1625 service to Sheffield we caught the late running 1613 service through to York. This made what would have been a zero minute connection at York to Scarborough (for an onward connection to Filey) as that train was running fifteen minutes late. Who says late trains are a problem?

Our Guest House accommodation in Filey, the All Seasons, was really very very nice. The quality of the furnishings and the breakfast in the morning was second to none. We really might be back as it was that good. The location was good too being less than ten minutes from both the station and the sea front.

Saturday morning allowed us the chance to wander around Filey, enjoy a walk on the magnificent beach and get a good feel for the place. Compared to other seaside resorts it felt less developed,was touristy and fairly quiet - sometimes this is just what is needed.

Saturday lunch was taken in Bridlington, a short trip by train from Filey, but a completely different sort of seaside town. We did however visit the 'old town' area of Bridlington which really did seem to have much promise . . . . but it somehow failed to hit the mark. Overall Bridlington seemed rather brash, rather tacky or just rather quiet and we decided that we would probably not visit again so headed back up the coast to Scarborough.

Scarborough is, well, Scarborough. Since our last visit the walk from the station to the sea front has been improved by making the main shopping street pedestrianised. Compared to Bridlington it seems a much nicer place or maybe it just attracts a different crowd? Either way a walk along the promenade and headland towards the north bay followed by a coffee stop filled a couple of hours before heading back to Filey for dinner.

Our Saturday evening meal was had at Bella Italia - albeit this was not the chain type Italian restaurant you may have visited before. This was a nice family run place serving up great food in a typically Italian atmosphere. We left the restaurant very full and looking forward to a bit of a walk along the sea front at Filey before bedtime.

Sunday morning allowed us the opportunity to visit Filey Brigg - a spike of land jutting out into sea that makes the northern part of Filey bay. It was a very windy day and the keen breeze from the north seemed to want to blow you off the cliffs - it certainly cleared the cobwebs and was a great walk.

Sunday afternoon had us travelling to Hull and with around an hour and a half to fill before meeting up with friends Andrew and Sandra we had a quick look around the UK city of culture 2017. We only scratched the surface and will need to revisit and tie that in with a trip to nearby Beverley which is also highly rated.

It was nice to meet up with Andrew and Sandra (and their kids) in Hull - the kids certainly have grown up (and a third has arrived) since we last saw them all.

After a nice catch up and a coffee at Starbucks we were soon heading back home via Doncaster - which was pretty much closed on a late Sunday evening in October.

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