Stage 2 Thursday 18 Sept: Shepherdswell to Dover (14km/8.7m)
Similar weather today as we made our way from Shepherdswell to Dover. After a false start because the trains weren’t running this morning, we headed to the bus station… but there are no buses to Shepherdswell. Into a taxi and we set off at last, and ended up paying less than we did for train tickets yesterday!
At St Andrew’s Church, ShepherdswellFlint embedded in the walls. We’ve seen this on a number of old buildings Another Via info signYou’ve got to love a place that leaves fresh water and dog biscuits out, and is open, and has a stamp for our credentials!Some interesting and varied terrain todayMonumenta Romana: This artwork is a contemporary folly that takes the form of a cupola, designed to complement the nearby Belvedere at Waldershare Park (thanks Google)Nora and Ralph, wire haired Hungarian Vizslas with Jo, their human (off screen)Waldershare House, an historic country house that has now been turned into apartments Bill, a Patterdale Terrier, with his human, MartinPiddle Wood, as identified in the above sign All Saints, Waldershare… open and with another stamp 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼This is the closest thing we’ve seen to any wildlife! (Except a squirrel that ran past us later in the day)The sign reads “Burrows in this fallen tree are homes to Rabbits a fox and insects”This enormous yew tree is said to be over 1000 years old We were directed through this paddock and not to take the private trackWith the cattleAnd a skittish calf or twoLovely thatched roof and cool vintage MG at this place Hedgerow gap between paddocksWindy!The Via Francigena from Canterbury to Dover follows the same route as part of the North Downs Way which runs from Farnham to Dover (246km/153 miles)Houston, we have a problem!!!A friendly bullA Shaggy Inkcap, also commonly referred to as Lawyer’s Wig or Shaggy Mane (thanks Google)A Birch Polypore fungus, also known as Fomitopsis betulina or birch bracket (thanks Google)Good foraging today… lots of ripe blackberries as well as apples Into Dover and these waymarkers appeared embedded in the pavementsThe blue sign reads: GERTRUDE TOLAND MD. FRCS 1901-1985 LIVED AND PRACTISED AT CLYDE HOUSE SURGEON AT BUCKLAND HOSPITAL SAVED MANY LIVES FROM DUNKIRK EVACUATION & BATTLE OF BRITAINDover Castle at the end of Castle Street At St Mary’s Church with James who very helpfully retrieved the stamp for our credentialsAt the Elephant & Hind Bar with Sam. A delicious meal prepared by Matthew… great fish & chips and fabulous service & advice from Sam .Into the museum next door… Lynn reckons this is an early female pilgrim… there’s still not many loos along the way!The Channel Swimming Association’s trophy cabinet. Some highlights from the information boards: YOUNGEST SWIMMER TO CROSS THE CHANNEL: 1988 Thomas Gregory aged 11 years, 336 days. Since 1994 the rules forbid solo attempts by swimmers under the age of 16. OLDEST PERSON TO SWIM ACROSS THE CHANNEL: 2014 Otto Thaning at 73 years 177 days.Sorry about the bad photography!An Aussie! This Bronze Age boat was discovered in Dover in 1992 and dates from 1550BC It measures 9.5 x 2.4 metres (31 x 8 ft) and is made from four oak planks held together with oak wedges and yew stitches. The seams and stitch holes are packed with moss and beeswax. The boat is as discovered with no added or replica pieces. Buildings on Dover’s foreshore promenadeViews of the famous white cliffsWalking back through town through an installation… as if there wasn’t enough mizzle today!On the bus (top deck, front row) heading home to CanterburyDinner in the hotel lounge… sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, trail mix, chocolate mousse… it was a feast!
Morocco Food Tour 