Britain 2011 - Day 23

Introduction

A day in Whitby. This time, we might be able to visit the James Cook Museum - we had tried twice before and found it shut. Then a stroll around the town, maybe a sail on the replica Endeavour and then dinner somewhere. The town was still full of people, still showing the signs of yesterday's sunburn. Some were still dressed so as to catch some more sun, but others were dressed for the overcast day and occasional light showers.

Our memories of Whitby are the harbour and the fishing boats, people, more people, dogs, more dogs, and people with sunburn - all eating fish and chips - yes even the dogs.

Whitby - The James Cook Museum

Whitby was of course the home town of Captain James Cook, RN. The house where he boarded as a young sailor has been turned into an excellent museum. We walked down the hill from our B&B, along the waterfront shops and over the split bridge to the museum.

Looking down onto the entrance to the port at Whitby

The view up the harbour and of the split bridge that opens to allow boats in and out.

Whitby Abbey occupies the hill above the port

Reminders that this is a tourist seaside town are everywhere.

Coming down the steps to the quayside

and more of the steps

The quayside started filling up with people. The Magpie Cafe in the distance.

Magpie Cafe without the queues.

The main entrance

Quayside and dogs.

A reminder that this is the seaside.

Where people try anything

and buy anything.....

including too many fish and chip dinners.....

Then it was across the bridge

to the other side of the harbour.

down the alley, to....

The Museum, at last..

Must be in here - and its open!

passing the 1688 building

and the courtyard outside the Museum.

The view from the upper window

across the fishing boats.

The view the other way of the top atelierwindow.

Then it was back up the quay for more shops..

Whitby - walking up to the old Abbey

Looking out over the town is the derelict Whitby Abbey. It has had a long history, but one intriguing aspect was the Synod of 664AD held here to decide when Easter would be observed. As a result ofthis decision we have Easter at the first full moon after the equinox, and this decision set the structure for the rest of our calender.

Across the bridge the road heads up towards the Abbey.

Up the crowded street..

More dogs..

More people.

Lots of window shopping.

but few seemed to be buying.

Then the start of the 199 steps.

With narrow lanes leading off.

Looking down,

and further down..

And eventually the view over Whitby from the top.

The quay and the harbour.

with the coast beyond..

and the beach.

The entrance.

And the line of the breakwaters.

Looking up Hudson St to the Church. Our car is the first on the right.

Beside the abbey is the old church..

The headstones show the signs of salt and wind weathering on the limestone.

And also the flaws in the original rock..

But some families paid extra for slate, that did not weather.

The remains of the Abbey.

This also shows the signs of weathering.

Adjacent is Chomley House.

With imposing gates.

And cobblestone courtyard.

The carved cross to Caedmon.

Who composed many hymns..

Then back down the 199 steps (the same number as going up).

Past the small lanes.

And into the crowds.

More dogs. (yes, that carriage has two dogs in it....!!!)

People will buy anything at the seaside - Wiggley Worms indeed!.

Whitby - Replica Endeavour

As with all tourist towns in Britain, anything that might attract a tourist to part with a Pound is fair game. So someone built a 40% replica of Cook's ship and now takes passengers for a quick trip out through the breakwaters and into the North Sea. All very jolly, but you do get a good view of Whitby from the sea. So off we went.

Everyone scoffs fish and chips in Whitby - ..

Even the dog!

But guess who missed out this time!.

Queues at The Magpie Cafe - dine in.

and take away.

But the rain dampened the feeding.

Tour the town in the rain...

Or by old steam bus

The replica Endeavour, complete with diesel engine steaming out.

and back.

Ready to come aboard

In the rain.

Shags on the pier....

Whale rock

Whitby from the sea

The pier..

The pavilion by the beach

and hotels overlooking the beach

The RNLI making another dramatic rescue

Bathing sheds.

The largest hotel in Whitby The Royal Whitby

The James Cook Memorial all alone at the top of the cliff.

Whitby beach

Sailing back into the harbour

passing the steps

and the pier

And back to the harbour.

Locals waiting for us on the wharf.

Whitby - The Pier

After returning from the boat trip, we braved the light shower to walk out onto the pier and breakwater that defines the mouth to Whitby Harbour. Part of the pier was closed due to unsafe conditions, which the locals were blaming on neglect by the local council. But by the look of the salt erosion on the red sandstone of the lighthouse, the environment out there is very tough.

A sign for all occasions