25 degrees celsius, a millpond ocean, clear blue skies, whales and shearwaters within a few minutes of boarding the boat? No, not California, Sydney or Massachusetts, but the glorious North Yorkshire coast. More specifically Whitby, less than an hour up the coast and venue of one of the most ridiculously easy and pleasant pelagics imaginable this morning.
Thanks to an offer courtesy of our Filey Bay neighbours Keith and Claire, we were leaving the harbour shortly after 0730 this morning on the Eske Belle III with just eight other people (and two friendly dogs) aboard, and before we'd finished marveling at the plate glass sea and cloudless sky, two Minke Whales were wonderfully close and showy by the boat.
 |
| With slightly alarmed Guillemot |
We enjoyed their company for at least the next hour or more, with the added bonuses of about 50 Manx Shearwaters, freshly-fledged Guillemot chicks, Common and Sandwich Terns and plenty more, back in time for breakfast and ice cream by mid-morning. Summer's here.
 |
| Harbour Porpoise |
 |
| One of many Manxies close to the boat |
