London 2015 Day 12 July 11 Our Kent Tour

London 2015 Day 12 July 11 Our Kent Tour

Since we wanted to go to several places in the Kent countryside without a car, we had booked a private tour guide, Jane Martin's Tours of the Realm. She is based here although she gives tours for up to four people all over Great Britain including Scotland and Wales. She was lovely and it was a perfect day, sunny and warm with breezes nearly everywhere.

First stop was DOVER CASTLE built in the twelfth century by Henry II and improved over the years. Dover of course is closest to France, and England is always fearful of invaders. But although Hitler bombed much of Britain, he never hit Dover as he wanted the castle for himself, so they say! We climbed and climbed up to the top for a wide view of the town, including the cars and trucks loading and unloading the huge ferries to France, still used despite the Channel Tunnel.

After this wonderful visit we drove along the coast to the tiny village of St. Margaret's Bay and down, down, down to the bottom of the cliffs. Here is that magical view of the huge WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER!! They are simply beautiful, every bit the advertised wonder! We walked along the small bay here, took photos of course, the drove back, back, back up the cliff road to a hidden Tea House in a very windy spot atop the cliffs for a nice lunch.

Next stop was DEAL, a coastal holiday town with many nicely restored large houses facing the seaside road. We made a brief stop here to walk along the beach footpath (as sidewalks are called here!) and drive through some very narrow streets.

Then on to the former Cinque Port of SANDWICH. There is a village near the town called Ham, and its address is Ham Sandwich! Did they name it that on purpose? Which came first, Ham or Sandwich? There was a Holiday Fayre (as advertised!) taking place so the little market square was crowded with tables and festivities. We watched some of the Morris dancers with bells on their legs, doing a sort of jig. Other groups were scattered throughout the town waiting their turn or milling about after their performance. Sandwich is very well preserved as the estuary silted up over the years and it is now over two miles from the sea! There were river cruises of course, but we just walked through the old gate house and then found a nice quiet spot for tea and scones!

Back to Canterbury and goodbye to Jane after a full day! For dinner we found one of her recommendations, Deeson's British Food for some tasty Kent specialties. We had their cider and a cod dinner. Walked around Canterbury for a bit, and there were lots of strollers and bar sitters and loungers! Lively town for a Saturday night!