Filey Without Fret

Several weeks ago I visited Filey and paddled along the coast from there to Scarborough and back, but there was almost nothing to be seen. The Yorkshire coast is frequently fogbound with dense sea mists locally known as 'Sea Fret' and on that particular day we were deprived of any views. This time the coastal journey was bathed in glorious sunshine, good visibility and blessed with unusually calm seas.

Leaving Filey Brigg and the North Cliff behind us we explored the reefs that extend over 500 metres offshore from Grissthorpe Cliff. In stark contrast to my last visit these reefs were eerily quiet with one lone sea angler and several seals to break the spell spun by the glassy seas.

The rock ledges form long channels and sandy bottomed lagoons infested with kelp which are surely happy hunting grounds for the seals and cormorants.

The popular broad sands of Cayton Bay with its attendant buildings break the spell of solitude and wilderness, but the coast still has its charms. The wooded cliffs around Osgodby Point and White Nab are also footed by the sandy beaches of Cornelian Bay.
The protective reefs of 'High Scar' and 'Perilous Rocks' hold names that have been earned through years of mariners fear and respect.

Once around White Nab the holiday delights of Scarborough are a little over 2km away and fish, chips and mushy peas were beckoning. The food of gods was devoured eagerly and without fuss and fully re-fuelled the return to Filey was soon underway.