England Day 1

Since Steve and I have been to England before and did the whole "London" thing...this trip we decided to rent a car and hit the countryside. After renting the car and turning on the Garmin (GPS) we were on a way to Canterbury. Canterbury is one of England's most important religious destination. The Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most important churches in England. The original ground breaking happened in 597...that's old!! In 1100 and something it became a world famous because of the murder of the archbishop, Thomas Becket. It was amazing to look at and tour inside. You will never find something like this in the states. It made me think a little of my tour of Notre Dame in Paris. Canterbury is a cute town, heavily populated with students. We were happy to come upon a Subway for lunch. After walking around a little we headed to Dover Castle.

Steve outside Canterbury Cathedral
Trisha inside the Cathedral

Walking down the streets in Canterbury to the entrance of the Cathedral Grounds.


Steve and I were really excited to see Dover Castle...Steve loves Castles! I had heard of the "White Cliff's of Dover" and the Secret War Tunnels, but that was it. It was all that and more. The castle sits on top of the Cliffs looking over the English Channel. On a clear day...which it was mostly...you can make out France only 20 miles away. I, of course, became nostalgic for Paris. We first toured the Secret War Tunnels which were really interesting. After which we toured the grounds...practically by ourselves. Seriously, at time Steve and I swore we were there all by our lonesome. The medieval tunnels gave me the creeps...seriously it was scary being the only ones down there. The caste, the green grass land, the sea of in the distance...it was awesome.

The side of Dover Castle...the flag flies over Henry II's Great Tower.

Steve and I outside Contstable's Gate...thanks to the tripod we got more pictures together!

Us sitting on the Dover wall with Peverell's Gate in the background.

Me climbing down into the Medieval Tunnels...ssscccaaarrryyy!

Steve in the Medieval Tunnels. It was very cold and camp down there. I can't imagine how cold it would have been back in the 1100's in the winter after the sun hadn't been out for days, maybe months.

Steve driving down a very common side road in England. Just enough for 1 car...but we had pull over for a several second cars...crazy, but isn't the road so cute. Notice Steve is on the other side of the car.

We would see these fields everywhere as we drove in country. They're fields of, unfortunately, rape seed. The farmers did it more for the beauty of it, then need for actual seeds. In the summer many of the country side is blooming with Lavender. Can you just image how that would smell?!

We had hoped to see Leed's Castle on our way back to London for the night. However, all the Castles close at 6 and we simple ran out of time. The guardsman was nice enough to give us directions down the road to a point where we could see the castle from a distance. We couldn't see...and of course the photo couldn't capture, the mote that encircles the castle.

P.S.

Can you see me? I am peering over the side of the wall.