WHITBY

Whitby is a pretty little coastal town of about 14000 inhabitants situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. It's main industry is fishing and tourism.

Most of the waterfront is made up of old fisherman's cottages and little laneways like this

whilst the large grand houses are located at the top of the hill overlooking the town. The cluttered cottages and winding streets and alleyways do have much more character. However, this thought was probably not on the minds of the wealthier people when the town was developed from the 1600's onwards.

Whitby also has a very famous abbey which dates from the 7th century, and which dominates the East Cliff.

A view from the West Cliff at Whitby with the ruins of the abbey

just visible opposite

Karen had organised to get her hair done by a friend of her hairdresser in Australia, so that sort of freed up the whole day for the girls and I. Whitby is famous for its fish and chips so we had a go at that. They say if you're going to have fish and chips anywhere in the UK then Whitby is the place. Unfortunately, Whitby has not missed out on 'progress' so fish and chips are served in a polystyrene container, instead of yesterday's newspaper, which took some of the mystique out of the experience. The actual food component, however, was very good.

Next up we braved the cool breezes coming up the River Esk, and took a cruise up the harbour and out to sea. Not exactly Sydney Harbour, but well worth the effort.

Chanelle and Chloe rugged up ready for the big boat trip



Chugging up the river with Whitby in the background

Unlike Great Yarmouth and most UK seaside towns, Whitby does not have a pier in the true sense of the word. This has not stopped businesses opening amusement arcades on the waterfront

A view of the 'grand' houses at the top of West Cliff

Chanelle does her 'Titanic' routine

Looking back into Whitby from the sea

There is an Australian connection to Whitby of course. This was the town where way back in 1747 a young Jimmy Cook started his sailor's apprenticeship. What isn't so well-known is that Captain Cook (as he was to become) was actually born at Marston, near Middlesborough further north around the coast, into a farming family. However, it was whilst employed as a grocer's apprentice that his love for the sea began.

Whitby, naturally, pumps up its tourism potential by capitalising on the Cook connection, and he is commemorated with a statue on the West Cliff, which bears the following plaque, apparently given by the "People of Australia", so good on ya Cobbers for thinking of old Jimmy.

Chloe reflects for a moment on the existance of James Cook, without whom, history would have worked out differently, and she'd possibly now be wearing clogs in old Amsterdam