European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 5, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Whitby boats Dot the Whitby Harbor. For e4s Richartd Werley Young fishermen try their Luck in the esk. Continued from Page 3 i Silhouette of the Abbey opposite and the 199 Steps that Lead up to St. Mary s Church. It was up these Steps that Dracula ran in the form of a dog from the ship Demeter and in the Church graveyard turned Lucy into a Vampire. Yet the visitor to Whitby finds there is much More Here than the Dracula legend the chief place of interest is Whitby Abbey which was used from 657 to 876 and from 1077 to 1539. The Abbey is one of the most important religious buildings in England being the venue for the historic Synod of Whitby in 664 that fixed the Date of easter. It was founded by Saint Hilda and became famous for its learning and culture a a song written in the seventh Century by one of the monks is regarded As the Start of English literature. Immediately below the Abbey is St. Mary s Church surrounded by a Large Cliff top graveyard. It s easy to see Why Stoker was inspired to set the scene of Dracula s Landing Here. The graveyard can be seen from All parts of the town and Mina in Stoker s novel looks across from the Crescent on the other Side of the River to see Dracula looming Over Lucy. The churchyard affords a Good View Over the narrow streets of the old town. From above it seems to be a confusion of tiled roofs and television antennae with the occasional Seagull perching nonchalantly on one of the Brick chimneys. Below is the tranquil scene of the fishing Harbor where Many Small Craft lie at Anchor. Whitby was once an important shipbuilding town and Captain Cook had. His ships constructed Here. Cook lived on Crape Lane and there is now a memorial museum in his former residence. From this Small House he set off on voyages that took him All Over the world. Walk on in the direction of the sea and you la come to the Maze of alleyways and narrow streets that Marks the old town Here Are Many Small shops specializing in fish and fudge books and Bric a Brac. One shop still Sells Whitby Jet the semiprecious Black Stone that was popular in victorian times. Whitby May be both attractive and interesting but it is _ not the most picturesque town on this Section of coastline. That prize must go to Robin Hood s Bay a Short drive further South. Robin Hood s Bay is the epitome of a sleepy fishing Village a quaint Hamlet with winding streets and alleyways rows of Stone Steps and a myriad of tiny nooks and crannies. The place is supposed to have got its name because it was used by Robin Hood As a hideout. Such myths Are incidental Here. What matters is the atmosphere created by the tiny fishing boats lobster nets and flotsam the ear piercing screeching of the seagulls. For a amps Fllch Aid Mav Artey Whitby has narrow streets and alleyways who whirl overhead and the Saline smell that pervades the whole place what makes Robin Hood s Bay so special is the impossibly Steep Road that winds its Way Down to the Hamlet visitors Park their cars at the top and walk Dow giving Robin Hood s Bay an air of remoteness almost of desolation. This is one place where the browser is rewarded a the rows of solid Stone houses Are frequently punctuated by Steep Well worn flights  or tiny alleyways these alleyways suggest intrigue and Covert operations and hint that Robin Hood s Bay was once an important place for. Smugglers and pirates. Today the residents Are More Law abiding but the traditional pubs which duster near the Harbor look every bit the haunt of pirate bands. For walkers who have just finished the coast to coast a a 190-mile trek across England that finishes in Robin Hood s Bay a the temptation to try a pint of local brew must surely be too great to resist. A Inland from Whitby the North Yorkshire moors abound in Moorland walks across unspoiled scenery and Small quaint villages. The North York moors National Park was the setting for James Herriot s series of humorous books that spawned the television series Ait creatures great and  from Grosmont the North Yorkshire moors railway a a steam train special a winds its Way through the moors to Pickering departures Are almost hourly in summer and the train takes 60 minutes to navigate the tortuous route to Pickering. Not much farther from Whitby is the Village of Egton Bridge. This is interesting for its sets of Slyne slab stepping stones and the Catholic Church where Nicholas postgate the so called moors priest is remembered. Outside the Church is decorated with colourful carvings of scenes from Jesus life. Another Beautiful place is the tiny Hamlet of Beck Hole which seems to have More , residents. The Small old pub next to the Stone Bridge provides the perfect place for a drink or three. Whitby has plenty to offer Dracula pilgrims but the town itself and the area offers far More a be it tiny fishing hamlets like Robirt Hood s Bay or the unspoiled Countryside of the North York moors. Nevertheless when one stands by the graveyard in St. Mary s Church and.  to sea it s easy to. Imagine the sudden storm. That Stoker described and a ferocious Black dog a bounding up the Steps from the Royal Crescent when the graveyard is lit Only by Moonlight it s quite possible a to imagine that you can see Lucy sitting on the Bench. And who is that Black figure standing Over her Richard mover Ley is a free Lance Wollar living in Darmstadt Germany. Stripes Magazine May a 1994