Jun 6th - Jun 7th - End of the cruise... UK Dover
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| White Cliffs of Dover |
We had a leisurely breakfast on board and left the ship at 9.00 am.
We waited at the dock and after some confusing texts...long story not for
here...John and Sue arrived, well and smiling. We dropped by the rental car
agency and added Derek as a second driver and set off to see Dover castle. It was an intriguing visit
comparing the various additions since 1100 a.d. and in the knowledge that
Hitler had the castle off limits in the blitz as he wanted to use it as an HQ. The medieval tunnels were interesting but a highlight was the World War II
tunnels and exhibit for Operation Dynamo... Dunkirk.
We moved on to Canterbury to find that the Four Seasons B & B was better than expected
and enjoyed a cuppa before walking into town. Had a brilliant early dinner at
the Parrot pub (oldest in Canterbury) and then wandered about including a stroll around the external
grounds of the Cathedral and the cloisters, which was enhanced by the strains of operatic music emanating from the main hall of the cathedral... a private concert of some sort. We had a pleasant walk back to the B and B. A great day and so good to see Sue and John.
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| VERY ancient staircase |
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| View from castle.. Our ship on far right |
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| Sis Sue, John and Janice |
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| Our Favourite Sisters |
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| View from castle |
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| Taken from cliff opening of WW2 tunnels |
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| Ship in Danger?? Brits are serious about defense |
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| The Parrot.. oldest pub in Canterbury |
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| Great pub meal!! |
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| History of The Parrot pub |
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| UHHH..Leaning? or Have I had a pint too many? |
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| This really is leaning from age!! |
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| Canterbury Cathedral |
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| Cloisters |
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| Fascinating bosses on the ceilings throughout |
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| MANY years since I 'pulled a chain' |
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| Inside Canterbury Cathedral |
Saturday Jun 7 - Canterbury Cathedral to Clapham
Well our first full day in England required a full English breakfast, heartily
enjoyed by John and Derek, Janice had Eggs Benny and Sue had a smaller vegetarian fry
up...exercising admirable constraint.
We tottered off to walk around the town center (picked up a UK SIM for
the phone) and view the inside of the Cathedral. We spent a few hours
there, learning the heritage and soaking up the early English history.
From
Thomas Beckett's murder, (right there in the cathedral) the tomb of the Black Prince, and several other kings ans queens, the oldest
stained glass
window in UK, to the numerous tombs, exhibits and stories, this is
certainly
heritage England.
In the late afternoon we traveled on to Sue and Johns place in Clapham, (near Bedford) enjoying the lovely English countryside on the way. We relishd the home-prepared JFH signature chicken curry.. delicious!! Another great day with family.
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| Main Pulpit!! |
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| SO decadent.. yet beautiful |
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| Tomb of King Henry 1V and Joan of Navarre |
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| Gloves, hat, vest, shield of Edward |
