Up and Down and Up and Down

 I am typing on an obstreperous iPad and hoping it will cooperate with me this evening. We have put quite a day in, and I may not be able to stay awake long enough to write about the events of the day.

That old old old hotel was so quirky and so fun that we all have talked about it on and off throughout the day. We were served breakfast in our rooms. And it was absolutely lovely. For people who never eat breakfast, we indulged way beyond what we should have done. But it was worth it.

We started out the day walking a short distance to the Canterbury Cathedral, a building that goes back to 597 when. That was when the Pope sent Augustine as a missionary to reintroduce Christianity to England. The cathedral was magnificent and so rich with history that it boggles the mind. Everything from the martyrdom and subsequent sainthood of Thomas Becket to the fire watchers of World War II who saved the cathedral from being destroyed during the bombing raids.

We spent a few hours there talking to very knowledgeable docents who were more than happy to answer our many questions. It was fascinating and inspiring and amazing to think that place was built over a thousand years ago without the aid of computers, earth movers and the myriad of building materials we have today, yet here it stands, centuries later as a testament to the abilities of people who lived so long ago.

After a drive of about 35 to 40 minutes we arrived at the very imposing castle set upon a hill in Dover. Once again we found ourselves in awe of what people have accomplished throughout the course of history. We trooped though, peeping in corners, gazing out windows and listening to information from docents about the castle’s history.

From the castle, we drove another half hour or so to an area where we could see the Cliffs of Dover. We had lunch at a small cafe and then walked along the shore, taking in the majesty of the place. We could see France in the distance, just a pale blue line on the horizon - almost could have been clouds.

Ethan and SK decided to walk down the cliff - on a steeply inclined pathway on the face of that famous landmark. We watched first as they disappeared into the broad expanse of lush green before descending the cliff. Erin caught a glimpse of them but we didn’t get a picture. I couldn’t believe SK really wanted to do that! That is amazing ambitious for a 78-year old. It must have taken them over an hour and a half to go down and up again. I am grateful I didn’t go! Although they were both beaming when they came back, faces flushed with the excitement of conquest - victory over the cliff.

We found our hotel(s) for the night. By some fluke, I booked two rooms in two different places! And they were far enough away from each other to cause a great inconvenience.

We checked into ours, and Ethan and Erin were kind enough to carry our suitcases to our room - on the third floor - up some narrow creeky old stairs. It is clean and nicely furnished - quaint. And the lady who opened the door for us was very kind. I guess they are more of what you would call a Bed and Breakfast than a hotel, but both the one in Canterbury and the one here in Dover are really very nice. I hope Erin and Ethan’s is this nice.

We walked all over Canterbury Cathedral, up and down ancient and worn smooth stone stairs. We walked to the top of Dover Castle up and down stairs, in and around the grand rooms. Erin and I took a fair walk out along the English Channel, and Obvious SK and Ethan did some serious walking/climbing and descending on the face of the cliff.

Somehow this evening, walking up the steps at this cute and old (1700’s) Bed and Breakfast may be the last thing my legs will let me do tonight. But Erin and Ethan were so kind to carry our heavy suitcases up for us. I know they must be as tired as we are, and they are still kind of on Arizona time, and still trying to adjust. It is so incredible to be able to share this place and this land with them.