Out & About …

… on the North York Moors, or wherever I happen to be.

Tag: obelisk

  • James Cook Memorial Garden

    James Cook Memorial Garden

    On 25 May, 1769, James Cook wrote in his journal “Most part of these 24 hours Clowdy with frequent Showers of rain”. Pretty much like the weather this morning in his home village of Great Ayton then, if a tad warmer. Cook’s ship the Endeavour was moored offshore Tahiti in preparation for his task of…

  • A few moments later it was snowing

    A few moments later it was snowing

    Well, it was white and it was falling from the sky. I’m not sure if the Inuit, with their fifty words for snow, would have one for the snow that fell over Capt. Cook’s Monument early this morning but the Scots do have a nice word flindrikin usually a light, flimsy garment but which was…

  • Capt. Cook’s Monument

    Capt. Cook’s Monument

    A hostile environment of supercooled ice crystals, 20Âș below freezing. And 20,000′ below those cirrus clouds, it’s the hottest day of the year. Capt. Cook’s Monument, the obelisk on Easby Moor, that’s visible for miles around, towers above a group of schoolchildren enjoying being outside. It’s great to see some schools still value outdoor education.…

  • Easby Moor

    Easby Moor

    Easby Moor and Captain Cook’s Monument viewed from Aireyholme lane. Ayton Banks Farm is in the foreground. The crags on the left are the disused sandstone quarry on Cockshaw Hill. Open Space Web-Map builder Code

  • Castle Howard Gatehouse

    Castle Howard Gatehouse

    Set on the Jurassic limestone of the Howardian Hills, the Castle Howard estate dominates the landscape. A spectacular example of 18th-century opulence. Approach from the south is through the Gatehouse with is pyramid roof, was built in 1719 by Sir John Vanbrugh, who designed Castle Howard itself. Maybe. There is some doubt whether Vanbrugh actually…

  • Capt.Cook's Monument

    Capt.Cook's Monument

    I recently read an article which suggests a Masonic connection to the obelisk and with the great man himself. Apparently obelisks symbolize the Egyptian sun god Amon Re and its cap  or ‘benben’ is actually a pyramid. Now a pyramid forms the basis of the Freemasonry symbol The Eye of Providence, a symbol which can be seen on the reverse of the Great…