Yesterday, Andrew, Christine, Peter & I went to Dover to see the White Cliffs as well as Dover Castle. We soon discovered that there is really not much more to see in Dover! Its kind of a dive actually ... but the Castle was well worth the 2 hr. drive. So, as usual, I'll give you a short history lesson on the castle: It was originally established as an Anglo-Saxon fort because of its close proximity to the ocean and adjacent France. During the Napoleonic Wars tunnels were dug deep inside the white chalk cliffs and used for military strategy; they were so useful that they were used right into the 20th century and during the Second World War. In May 1940 Vice Admiral Ramsey used the tunnel network to plan and implement Operation Dynamo, which served to rescue trapped British & Allied forces from Dunkirk in France. Today you can tour a very small section of the Secret Wartime tunnels, which we did. It was really extensive and very intriguing - we were disappointed however, in our guides' lack of exuberance in the subject matter and the fact that we felt rushed to get through. Regardless we did see the room/artefacts in the Telephone Exchange Room as well as the Command Centre where Winston Churchill viewed the Battle of Britian. Regrettably, we weren't allowed to take pictures down there ... maybe the tunnels are still a secret ??? ; )
In 1539 Henry VIII visited Dover Castle as part of an inspection of the coastal defence systems. There is an exhibit that offers a tableau of the preparations for his visit including his bedroom, where he ate, where visitors would have waited to greet him etc. From that part of the castle we went up to the roof and took some great pics of the Dover Channel and the surrounding countryside.
On site is also the most complete Saxon church in Kent, which was used by troops stationed there for several hundred years. Inside the church you can see the ancient 'sedilia', that is a stone seat carved out of the stone wall used by the Priest. Also, in some of the stones you can see symbols and images engraved into the stone by the masons who built the church. Very cool. Next to the church is a Roman lighthouse which is said to be one of the best preserved Europe.
The day was windy, but warm and sunny so it was a great day to be walking outdoors - we had a really good time. When we came home Peter had to pack and get ready to head to the States this morning. He and his fellow fixed wing classmates were going to do some work there at the United States Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. He'll be back on Saturday and we're planning to head to Legoland with Andrew & Christine. Meanwhile, I'll be accompanying them on some day trips this week so there will be more posts to follow : )
Team PM
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