Following in Dracula’s Footsteps: Mardi Ballou Does Whitby Back to Blog
Update: Mardi’s winner is…Andrea Cummings! Congrats, Andrea!
Mardi Ballou will give one commenter a free download of any of her
dozen or so vampire stories — check out www.MardiBallou.com
Mardi climbing the 199 steps to the abbey
The mist, the fog, the one hundred ninety-nine steps up to the gloriously ruined ninth-century abbey and an ancient graveyard. No wonder Bram Stoker was inspired to bring Dracula onto English soil in this picturesque seaside town on the northeast coast, where Stoker wrote the vampire’s ship foundered in rough waters. Whitby even provided Dracula with his oh so chilling name.
Whitby Abbey, dating from the ninth century
Walking the hilly, twisty streets lined with shops, not a few brimming with goodies for the twice-a-year Goth fests, today the wary tourist is on guard for who or whatever might lurk until the opportune moment… Tanith Kalinski, the vampire-obsessed heroine of Playing with Matches,
might have spent vacation time here before she looked for a date at Fangly, My Dear. And just to soothe the nerves, Tanith or any wayfarer might choose to indulge in fish and chips or chocolate or ice cream—or all of the above—as well as heartier fare. One can even find jars of Dracula’s relish, purported to be a Bloody Mary made solid, but who can be sure… Perhaps Monsieur le Comte du Montnoir of Young Vampires in Love manages to tear himself away from Paris for occasional shopping, or perhaps a bite of Dracula fare, in Whitby.
The town and Dracula inspire art—magical photos, paintings, and fashion. The writer lucky enough to land in Whitby takes in inspiration with every bracing breath of salt air. It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of the mystique and even carried away just the smallest bit. So when Mardi ducked into the museum dedicated to another famous passer through, Captain Cook, she casually asked the receptionist, “So, does Dracula drop in here often?” The startled woman carefully brought Mardi back to earth: “You do know he is fiction?”
So no, Mardi, there actually is no Dracula. But that stark truth in no way diminishes the charm of the eternal story and its home base, Whitby. Will Whitby feature in one of Mardi’s future stories? Stay tuned…
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Enjoyed your post today. The abby looks creepy and beautiful at the same time. I can only imagine all the history there. You are a new author to me. Going to check out your site next.
Love the pictures and the post. Nice. Sherry
I remember seeing a production of Dracula a little while back on tv. Not long after I listened to the audio and could picture the various places the characters were in the story. Very creepy!
Used to live half an hour away from Whitby and once stayed in the house Bram Stoker was living in when he wrote Dracula. My daughter loved going to he goth weekends. Great article. Andrea
Terrific pictures, Mardi, and what a great way to spend a vacation.
That is so cool. I love going to historic places. Love the photos.
Very cool post! And now I am incredibly jealous. I want to follow in those footsteps!!
Thanks for guest blogging with me!
Good Mornin’ from Mardi now back home on the Left Coast — alas, very far from Whitby but still quite foggy —
Cynthia, thanks so much for inviting me to guest blog! Gave me a chance to “revisit” Whitby (lol, it’s been two weeks…) and to go through the photos. If you can get there, I’d definitely recommend a visit. Hard not to be inspired!
Wow, Andrea, it must have been amazing to stay in the same house as Bram Stoker! I’d love to get to Whitby during one of the goth fests. Judging from the clothes and accessories in the shops, the fests must be amazing to see and experience. One woman was selling a gorgeous long black coat and vest she labeled as for Van Helsing. I myself was tempted to try on some gorgeous, very high-heeled shoes. Alas, walking in them was a challenge.
I’ll pass the compliment along to DH, the photographer. I agree — great place for a vacation. Highly recommended!
Ditto, Viki, on the photos. DH will be so pleased! Speaking of Ditto, that’s the name of a fabulous restaurant in Whitby — If you get to go, and I hope you all do, you’ll be pleased to have a dinner there.
Hi, Sue — Thanks for the kind words. Layers upon layers of history in Whitby alongside the newest of the new in goth fashion and great food. Having the chance to walk around the abbey and the graveyard definitely get the heart pumping — especially after the 199 steps.
Thanks so much, Sherry. Whitby is gorgeous to look at. There’s a famous photographer named Edward Sutcliffe from the late 1800s. His and other work as well as a current artist named Anne Sudworth are among many who really capture the feel and special charm of the place.
Yes, Susan, creepy can easily be the feeling when you walk the ruins, especially in the cold, misty fog.
I love visiting places that are full of history. Your post is very interesting and the photos beautiful. Your DH is very talented.
I must go to your webste and look up all those lovely vampire stories of yours.
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
Awesome blog and pictures, Mardi. I’ve been wanting to travel more lately and this just intensified the urge. What a beautiful place! So glad you had a good time!
I really enjoyed your post, very interesting. I love vampire stories, of course!!
I once traveled to Whitby with my family. I remember the day being cold and so windy that we might fall over. It was a great experience. I love the photos and really enjoyed the blog. Thanks for sharing!
deb ;0)
Maryland
Great interview Mardi 🙂
I have not read any of your books, but I’m on my way to your website, you have definetly intrigued me. Great picture of Whitby Abbey 🙂
M
What a fun travel guide you make! Thanks for posting, Mardi.
Thanks for a great post! I enjoyed the pics! 😀
That was a great post, enjoyed the pictures. Always enjoy hearing about historic places and the history that is involved.
Thanks to everyone for your friendly posts!
Valerie — I so agree with you about historic places. Where are you in Germany? Do you live there? I love the feeling of history in every step, every street and shop in the U.K., which I visit often. I adored Rome, Paris, Prague — all the places I’ve had the good fortune to visit. I love how history lives on, a part of daily life.
Thanks for the kind words, Michele — I’m thrilled to write vampire stories —
Hey, Cris, great to catch up to you!
Thanks so much, Colleen and Jean P — DH is enjoying all the praise for his pictures! He likes taking them so much, he’s never in any — makes it look like I’m the only one who gets to go to cool places!
Travel, travel, travel, Virna — definitely a worthwhile goal. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
Yes, Judy, the eternal fascination of the vampire stories — experiencing Whitby Abbey adds a whole new level of appreciation.
Debra, what fun that you were there! All that delicious cold followed by a nice cuppa and delicious dessert (earned for dealing with all that cold!)
Great post and I love the pictures! I almost been a Dracula fan. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Great post. Cold, misty and windy is great when one’s is indoors or at least in a car. Otherwise, *shiver*
Awesome post & pictures.
Terrific post and photos. What a great inspiration!
The Whitby Goth fests sound like fun. Looking forward to reading your books, Mardi.
I totally agree, Sue. I’ve been a Dracula fan since way back — and now I’m even more so, despite what the museum lady said.
Ah, but all the cold, mist and wind justify chocolate and lots of gooey desserts along with the cuppa, cories — don’t you think?
Thanks, Denise and Edie. I keep looking at the photos and just grinning. Had a great time — and now I’m enjoying the memories!
I totally agree about the Goth fests. I’d sure like to get back to Whitby for one of them. I expect they’d be really inspirational! Thanks for your kind words — I hope you enjoy the books.
I love the picture of the abbey, ever been there though, maybe one day…
Hello, Mardi.
You’re a new author to me and I would like to know what rock have I been living under??? I went to your website and you have so many books I look forward in reading.. and soon.
I love when I get to “travel” without leaving home. Thanks for the “tour” and the pictures.
I hope you do get to go to Whitby Abbey some day soon, Diane. The abbey alone is great, but there’s a lot more to see and experience in Whitby and in North Yorkshire.
I agree, Nancy. Travel is great — even when it’s the armchair type!
Blushing mightily. Thanks, Tracey, for checking out my website. Just my modest, quiet self, hiding away in my books and my fantasies — Happy reading!
I loved the pictures. The abbey looks really cool.
Thanks, Marlene. The abbey is amazing. I’m really glad I had the chance to visit — and to share that visit.
Amazing pictures and I love you web-site. Next time I watch a Dracula movie I’ll be able to visualize the Abby better.
Great pictures with a great story to boot.