Dover
Our reason for visiting Dover was to see the Dover Tunnels under Dover Castle. The website said the castle was closed, but Google said the tunnels were open. We called that morning to double-check and were told the tunnels opened at 10 AM, so we set out to see them.
It was a “short” walk up to the castle. Now, the distance might have been short, but medieval castles were generally built on the highest point in the area. This one was no exception. We met a lovely man who directed us to a shortcut to the castle grounds…bless him!
On arriving at the castle, we were greeted by the gatekeeper…the castle, and therefore the tunnels, were closed. When we protested that Google said the tunnels were open, he pointed out that they couldn’t control what was written on Google and that we should follow the official website.
So although the walk was in vain, we did clock over 13,000 steps that day.
We wandered around Dover, especially through the town, taking photos. A retired photographer came up to us and recommended some additional places to shoot. Now, had we had the energy—or been 10 years younger—we probably would have followed up on some of his suggestions. Instead, we took the flat route and walked along the seaside to get a glimpse of the white cliffs.
Then it was back to the B&B—which was also uphill—to pick up our luggage and catch the train to Canterbury.
Dover Castle
St. James Church
The original church on this site was a Norman building, built sometime in the 11th century. The “new” church was built in the latter part of the 19th century. Both buildings were damaged during World War I when a seaplane dropped bombs nearby, but both were restored in 1931.
Both the old and new churches were damaged again during World War II by German artillery firing across the Channel. The new church was demolished in 1953, and the tower of the old church collapsed in 1951. The ruins of the old church were later secured and preserved.
