[best viewed full sized] This shot of Captain Cook's Monument was taken in Whitby, North Yorkshire, last Tuesday. We had got up early for the morning light from this POV and my camera info tells me it was just before 6am. This was such a wonderfully tranquil time before the usual crowds enveloped the town and Chrissy, aka BibbyBear, and I enjoyed spending it together without another soul around. A picture of the nearby Whalebone Arch taken moments before this one appears in her gallery (click on the above link to see this.) About fifteen minutes after this the sun was too high and bright for any more pics on this side of the cliffs. (The seagull on his head isn't a permanent fixture!!) Captain Cook was born on 27th October 1728 at Marton-in-Cleveland, but it was the nearby coastal town of Whitby where he was to begin his training as a seaman. From the bronze statue of Cook looking out to sea on Whitby's West Cliff there is a panoramic view of all that makes the town what it is: the ancient Abbey and the squat St Mary's Church visible across the harbour, pantiled roofs of cottages little changed since Cook's time here. He lived on the east side, over the bridge in Grape Lane. It was here in John Walker's house that he began his apprenticeship, working late into the night reading about navigation and seamanship. By 1755 Cook was an experienced and trusted seaman, and Walker offered him the command of the ship. But James Cook had other, bigger ideas. Today the house forms the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and houses even more artefacts connected with Cook. Room settings and changing exhibitions give a flavour of the maritime trade of Whitby and the age of sail. Thanks for looking and any comments and critique are,as always, more than welcome and valued!