Chalk Walls

Day 2
I was up at stupid o'clock to make the 7 am bus to Dover. Only I didn't make the bus, I missed it by about 3 minutes. I was really irritated with myself, I am usually so punctual.

Plan B was to take the 8:30 am bus. However, the type of ticket that I had was only good on the bus I bought it for. I checked out the last minute price and it was just too much. Part two of plan B (or B-2) was to just try to get on the next bus and play the dumb tourist if it was a problem. Plan C was to spend the day in London, it is London and there are tons of things to do.

I was nervous and hopeful when I boarded the bus.

Bus Driver – Missed you bus did you?

Me – Yes, I got a bit turned around and missed it by about 3 minutes.

Bus Driver – No worries, get on.

Me – Thank you so much, you have really made my day!

Off to Dover I went. As we drove through the town I immediately gave up my idea of visiting Deal as well, Dover was just far to cute to not see it all. I started by walking through the pedestrian center. Immediately a woman approached me and asked if I was willing to do a survey about crisps (chips for you Americans out there), and that I would get a free candy bar. You had me a free. After filling up on different types of smokey bacon crisps I had earned my candy bar and was full to boot.

I headed straight up to Dover Castle after that. When I say strait up, I mean it. There was a steep winding path to get to the castle. I was the only one on it, apparently I'm the only brave one, or the only one cheap enough to not spring for public transit.

My main reason for visiting the castle was to check out the Secret War Tunnels. These tunnels, some built for the war and some from the Napoleonic wars, were a major center of operation duringWWII. The tour took about an hour and was quite interesting. It went through the kitchens and mess halls, as well as the operating theater. Sir Ramsey was the person in charge of the tunnels. He is most know for planning the logistics for Operation Dynamo, later know as the Miracle at Dunkirk. Basically the British, Belgium and French armies were surrounded by the German army and stuck on a beach. They were exhausted and there weren't enough supplies to sustain them f or long. Ramsey's operation rescued 300,0038,000 men. I found it really interesting to learn that 2,026 bombs were dropped on Dover and the tunnels. It's amazing to me that the tunnels survived.

The rest of the castle is really quite interesting as well. There is about 2,000 years worth of history and it took me most of the day to check it all out. The Keep was built by Henry II around 1200. The castle is wonderfully preserved despite WWII and the dozens of attacks before that. Dover Castle is located at the smallest crossing of the English Channel from France and is quite a strategic place. The Romans knew that and built a lighthouse here. It's called the Roman Lighthouse. There were lots of dead birds in there.

There was a small museum on every conflict that Britain has been involved in for the last few hundred years. It was pretty good because it gave the basic facts and the outcomes of each war without getting into to much detail. There was also a special section on the siege from France in 1216. It was a bit creepy with all the flashing lights and dummies. The last place to visit at the castle are the Medieval Tunnels. They were just really creepy.

I had also wanted to take a walk along the White Cliffs, but it was very very windy and starting to rain a bit, not to mention it was getting dark, so I wasn't able to do that. I did try to get an earlier bus back to London but that didn't work out either. I ended up finishing my time in Dover at the Eight Bells Pub. I met a couple of fascinating locals there. It was a great way to end my time in Dover and kill my last hour there.

The bus back to London was uneventful and I was happy to get to my bed after 17 hours of being away.