Dover Dover, We're Coming Right Over

 Flags have been half-mast all over England this week, as this country mourns the loss of the grandfather Philip.  We've seen pictures of him in frames sitting in foyers with appropriate tributes, and bunches of flowers and cards outside of public buildings. We've heard and read many expressions of condolences to the Royal Family, as well as quite a few not-so-nice comments about him.  The BBC was overwhelmed with complaints when they supplanted popular programs with memorials to Philip.

Dave began our mission call this evening talking about the funeral today - a very Christian service.  He praised Prince Philip, the Queen, and this great country.  He said that they have been valiant in preserving the cause of freedom, and they are still openly Christian, and they treat us as a church and as people very well.

We got home just in time to tune in to the Saturday night call.

Yesterday, we drove south past London to Canterbury.  We got away by three in the afternoon, and hoped to be there by six.  We sat at a complete standstill for about 40 minutes on the freeway that skirts London.  There was heavy traffic from Oxford To Canterbury.  We arrived about four hours later.  It took us a little while to find the bed and breakfast place that I had reserved online.

The advertisement said that it was hundreds of years old, a good value for the money, and sparkling clean.  It was all true.  But it is funny how much isn't said there.

It was in the industrial part of town.  The proprietor (he reminded me a lot of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady) said that the building was first built in the 1300's.  And that you can still see beams in the ceilings from ships that had traveled the world.  I am still dubious about that.  

It sat atop a pub, which just opened again after COVID.  It was packed with raucous people who were elated to finally be outside again drinking.  We felt a touch conspicuous in our badges.  Nevertheless, SK struck up a good conversation with Doolittle about why we are in England. And finally, the entire room was on a slant.  Like a room in a crazy house.

After checking in, we walked around the downtown area before returning to the little pub.  But before we turned in to the pub, we walked down the street another block and got fish and chips, which we carried back to our room.  As we were walking, I felt a plop on the back of my head.  A bird had deposited you know what on my head and back.  I couldn't believe it!

Today we met eight other senior missionaries at the Canterbury Cathedral, which was awesome.  It was closed because of COVID, but we walked a little way in and it is massive - huge - cavernous.  I hope we are able to go back when it is open officially.

This memorial to the more-than-8,000,000 horses that died in WWII was just outside of the Canterbury Cathedral.

We all drove to Dover, where we had lunch, and climbed to the top of a very steep hill to look up and down the coast.  I only got a couple of shots of the cliffs, but that is something else, we want to return to see.  We ran out of time, and opted to see the Dover Castle with the remainder of the afternoon.  It was a good choice even though I had been excited to see the cliffs.  

The castle is amazing.  It too is huge.  There is the wall around the castle and a number of buildings, and then the keep - which is the real stronghold,  Everything was closed, but come summer, I am betting it is a grand thing to do.  Not only because the 12th century castle is amazing, but because I think they have costumed players who walk around and tell people about the history of the place.  

See the ferry dock for France, and see France beyond?

A catapult!

You can see the fortress castle in the background (with flag at half mast), but you really don't get an idea of how massive it is.

It figured heavily in WWII - you can see the anti-aircraft gun in one photo. It's position is very strategic.  It was from somewhere all up and down the coast here that the boats crossed the channel to save the soldiers at Dunkirk.  We could see France from the castle.

SK wanted to see more of the coast, so when the London seniors departed, we drove around some more, which was pleasant, but added to the time of our journey home.....five hours.  I'm so tired, and I know SK is.  But what glorious days of seeing sights I've only heard of.