Transcript

First of all I’d like to say that I hope you’re having a lovely day in Robin Hood’s Bay. If it’s your first time here you’re in for such a treat. If you’re returning here, or better yet live here then you know why I say that.

I’ve been to Robin Hood’s Bay a great many times over my life. I came here with my folks as a kid, with aunties and uncles, grandparents and with my closest friends since. I would be here if I could. The reason I’m unable to be here, the reason why I’m confined to my bed as I speak is because of long Covid.

It might surprise you to know that I’m only 32, and was otherwise fit and healthy before the pandemic. The day of the first lockdown I started to develop mild symptoms. A little tickle in the back of my throat and a mild fever progressed to intense breathlessness and ultimately a trip to the hospital in the back of an ambulance.

Since that day my health has continued to decline to the point where I can no longer get myself downstairs, let alone out of the house. I’m very lucky to have the support of my family because I can no longer take care of myself independently.

I need a lot of help. The purpose of me telling you this isn’t to gather any sympathy or to warn you of the dangers of Covid, we’ve all read those stories or experienced them first hand, be that personally, or with our loved ones. Instead I hope that you will drink in your surroundings and make the most of Robin Hood’s Bay. Whether it’s scorching hot or squally and bleak, I really do feel it’s one of the best places in the world to be.

It’s full of stunning vistas, fantastic smells and friendly earthy folk who know how to weather an off season and repair roof tiles that are too often led astray by storms.

If you feel so inclined, please take me with you today. Go on a stomp, have a splash in the sea. Reward yourself with some fish and chips and an ice cream or a well earned pint. Above all, send Robin Hood’s Bay my love.

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Hi Reece, I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through with Long Covid. I’m so sorry that there has never been any serious research investment into M.E, if there had been by the time of Long Covid there would have been understanding and treatments available for you all. I was really happy you picked Robin Hoods Bay, you are right, it’s a very special place. I wish you apple crumble or cake from The Old Chapel Bookshop. I wish you a pint from The Dolphin and a folk tune or two, if that’s your thing. I wish you long holidays in the little fisherman’s cottages in the dark squares of Old Town where the sea is just visible from the attics. I wish you chips from that cafe at the top of the hill and a pebble from the rock pools. I wish you the health to walk the cliff tops all the way to Whitby and not to even mind the howling wind off the north sea. I wish you could wrap yourself in a warm Bay Gansey. I hope someone told you about the resident who built a dalek and sent it round the streets of Bay during lock down. I hope you’ll be back there soon but in the meantime I hope you have hope and that you hold your supportive family really close.