Covid Madness -
We are due to go to the North York Moors site near Whitby in just over a weeks time. Having seen this photo published in the Hull Daily Mail, this morning, I'm having serious doubts as to whether or not it is safe to go. I just cannot believe the stupidity of these people and what is more worrying is that, given that the North East currently has one of the highest infection rates in the country, where do most of the day trippers to Whitby come from?
Is there really any wonder that infection rates across the country are rising when people act in such an irresponsible way.
Needless to say, if we do decide to go, we will be giving Whitby a very wide berth - but that's not to say we might still have to mix with these idiots in supermarkets etc.
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I agree, it seems that a lot of people think life is back to normal in the way they act, and the rise in infections proves that, and is worrying.
I'd still go away, but avoid towns and cities. NYM site (never been, but looked on map) appears to have lots of countryside in every direction, so if it was me, I'd head in the opposite direction to Whitby. There must be lots of other things of interest nearby. We love walking, so would put on our boots and go for walks.
As for supermarkets, if you pick your time, there won't be many people in; where we live, I've found going at around 12-12.30 is fairly quiet, also about half an hour before closing time.
Hope you have a good break.
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richardandros we at NYM site at present and please don’t worry. We are in our 70’s, and if you believe my OH - paranoid about Covid!! The site is busy but no problem avoiding others. Check in by phone on arrival. Like you we wouldn’t dream of going into Whitby but may try the Abbey if it looks quieter. We had a drive out yesterday to Runswick Bay, got an ice cream from the cafe which wasn’t busy and shared the beach with about 15 others. We have a ‘Click and Collect’ booked for tomorrow from Sainsbury’s, we haven’t been inside a supermarket for many months. Our plan is for picnics and days out in the Moors or walking around the site area. We leave on Sunday so please say hello if you come before then.
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It is in glorious isolation above May beck & Falling Foss Near by. I’ve never visited the C&MC site but I’ve hiked around & past it on numerous occasions👍🏻. The hikes in that area are stunning. Whitby has been off our to do(again) list until we have Covid tamed. It’s like a mini coastal York with its shambles like streets😕. It’s Uber popular too.
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Not sure it matters. There is no way I would want to go into crowds like that at the moment. Given the number with masks it is clearly during the pandemic. If our recent experiences in less popular areas are anything to go by a lot of folk, particularly the young, aren't taking things seriously. Probably the reason for the rapid upward curve in infections in recent days. We avoid bottlenecks and tourist hot spots, as shown on the photo at all costs.
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NYM club site is nice but about as isolated as you can get. The pitches are not very generous though for your large caravan. Though the warden never actually said anything to me when I put a wheel on the grass while getting the car off/on the pitch, but the next day there were signs surrounding my pitch about keeping off the grass. 🙄 I just parked on an empty pitch afterwards.
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We know Site and Whitby very well. The site will be fine, it’s up on the Moors away from anywhere really. Whitby? Gorgeous, but always super busy, and given its proximity to Teesside, a current hotspot, to be avoided at all costs. The Abbey area will be busy as well. If you like walking, I would go, stick to the Moors, but all the little towns and villages will be busy on the NYMoors. Whitby is like that all year round now, not helped by the massive park and ride just outside the town.
We are away at the moment. Using small private sites and CLs, feeling totally safe, doing our own thing. We are in Borders, around six miles from Berwick. We drove through Berwick on Sunday, heaving with folks, little appearance of social distancing. Only place we have stopped and walked in is Rothbury, which was nice, rather quieter than usual, but even there we encountered the not so bright. All ages. Only other shop we have used is an M&S food Hall, well organised.
Much as I love Whitby, it’s not a place I would go anywhere near at the moment. People on the whole are not being sensible, not thinking of others.☹️
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Good friends of mine own a cafe/bar in Whitby. They announced last week that, like several other hospitality businesses, that they were voluntarily closing for the foreseeable future. Apparently, Whitby has been rammed with tourists and they felt that, despite measures put in place in the businesses, that they couldn’t ensure customer or staff safety.
The site itself is beautiful and like others have said, there are lots of walks.
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Isn't that bridge a swing bridge? Is it possible that it was full of people because the bridge had just been reopened and people had been waiting to cross? Many probably found themselves in a very uncomfortable situation but too late to get out of it. Photos taken with long lenses tend to compress the detail. It's a popular method of making beaches look more crowded than in reality they are! There are clearly a lot of people there but that scene is unlikely to be replicated right across the town? The bottom line is that if you don't want to be in a situation where there are lots of people you just avoid popular tourist places. It's a bit like going to the supermarket, if you want less people go on a Monday rather than a Friday.
Picture from Google Earth in more normal times
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It was taken yesterday, David.
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Bit of clarification required, perhaps. Thanks all, for the comments about NYM site but we know it well and have stayed there many times. I’ve also been going to Whitby since I was about 5 yrs old! Yes, that photo could - probably was - taken immediately after the gates opened but my point was that people are obviously oblivious to any social distancing requirements. I remember, a few years ago, we made the mistake of going there on a BH Monday and the whole of the harbour area was like that. I / we left after about 10 minutes!!
I think my concern is around the fact that some of those people in the photo could well end up on the site. It was also a reflection on how stupid people were being in the present situation.
Whitby used to be a lovely picturesque place - but, sadly not anymore and I agree that Runswick Bay is more my sort of place.
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Thanks, R&R. I've never been to whitby so that's quite an eye opener despite being used to the hordes that flock here in summer.
I would avoid crowds like that even in normal times but the stupidity demonstrated in that pic at this time is astounding. The great British public, eh? It's no wonder the number of covid cases is rising. 😕
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What day was that image taken R&R? I was in Whitby either the Monday or Tuesday following on from Easter Sunday when I arrived at North York Moors site. It was no where as busy as that image shows. If it had been we would have got the next P&R bus out even in normal times!
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Photos sell newspapers!
There are places that have been crowded recently but plenty more that haven't been. Whitby is an atractive town, always busy during holiday times, worth a visit out of the main season.Here's another "take" on the bridge, it gets closed when it's too busy. North Yorks Council LINK.
The bridge looks different on all the photos doesn't it?
Enjoy your hols R&R, a good area to visit.
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I think my concern is around the fact that some of those people in the photo could well end up on the site. It was also a reflection on how stupid people were being in the present situation.
I agree with your thoughts but why should you be near them? I could have walked past one of them yesterday but the viral load I would have received (if any) would be infinitesimal I’m sure. We don’t do crowds in any shape or form even in more normal times, not antisocial but prefer our own space. We usually use CL’s and have one in Northumberland booked for October, hopefully, but this site and others that have no facilities are on our go-to list. Don’t agree with the comment on small pitches though, our van is a similar size to yours Richardandros and we have loads of room, perhaps it depends where you are? We have never found a problem.
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As David said, and my thoughts also after considering the image further. It was taken on the swing bridge and the scene beyond and other images elsewhere look nowhere near as crowded. I suspect that the shot was a little staged in that the bridge which is open to pedestrians most of the time had been closed to allow (maybe a number) boats through and the crowd waiting to cross had built.
Personally I would have just stood back.
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I'm not sure it matters in what circumstances the pic was taken. The point is that social distancing was not being applied putting all those people, and others they come in contact with, at risk.
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Well put👍🏻. I’m afraid taking either the picture apart or Rich’s post in CSI detail will not make it any safer. Rich is spot on-it’s the norm for Whitby is tight crowds. On the West Bank is a narrow walking area that also gets rammed with folk. If you are Covid clever In the susceptible group you will be wise to swerve it.
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There are people everywhere who take severe risks, break laws or guidelines... no matter what the activity. All you can do is not take those risks yourselves and don't expose your self to those risks.
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We are probably a country of thirds at the moment. A third of people either don't understand or just don't care and get on with their lives as they want to regardless of others. The middle third understand the situation, take reasonable precautions but feel they have to get on with their lives and the final third are those that despite probably doing more have not really come out of lock down and are still very concerned what the winter will bring. That might not be an exact proportional breakdown but I am sure you get the idea. We just have to look after ourselves as best we can.
David
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"Don’t agree with the comment on small pitches though, our van is a similar size to yours Richardandros and we have loads of room, perhaps it depends where you are? We have never found a problem."
Neither do I heddlo. We've been there with this van before - and the previous Barcelona and haven't had a problem with pitch size. Indeed, one of the reasons we like the site is because it doesn't feel as crowded as some Club sites.
With regard to Whitby itself, we normally avoid it in the summer and save our trips there for winter months - it's only an hour or so away from home. Trouble is, this year in particular, everywhere is busy - much more so than normal. Even now, I wouldn't dream of being on Hornsea beach with the dog much after 10 o'clock in the morning.
Sorry we won't see you - not arriving until the 17th.
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I did actually say the pitch sizes were not generous rather than say they were small. When we were there we were on the right as you drive towards the reception. Despite being pitched within 10 thou of the peg it left little room for the awning one side of the van and little room for the car on the other .... hence putting a wheel on the grass. 😲
And I have to confess I confused your van for Another David's Hobby
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The circumstances would matter to me however as to whether I felt safe - not in that crowd in the image. When I have visited and when the pedestrian bridge has been open to let a number of boats out there has been large numbers crossing after such a delay. Stand back for 5 minutes and little foot traffic.
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Sadly, there are folk who think that - because things are a little more relaxed - Covid is all over. My mother-in-law overheard so.eone say as much when she was out shopping! We went to Bourton-On-The-Water a couple of weeks ago and it was absolutely manic! There wer so ma y folk about, we decided not to stop.
I tend to agree with David's 'country of thirds' theory, generally!
David
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Actually, that is normal for Whitby nowadays. It’s the St Ives of Yorkshire, rammed at all times of the year. ET, that is both a road and a pedestrian bridge, walking numbers are so thick you literally have to shunt folks off the roadway. It will be quieter up by the Abbey, as the steps up are a challenge for a good deal of folks, and it will be quieter up by the Whale Bones for the same reason, it’s hilly. It’s a mere 400 metres from the big town car park, so within most folks’ walking comfort zone.
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If anyone does venture to Whitby and heads up to the Abbey, i found a good micro brewery up there. Worth a visit if its open.
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