Everything Dover!: The Castle & White Cliffs

Hello, everyone!

The White Cliffs!

Back: Jay, April, Emily, Heidi, Karolina, Heidi

Front: Josh R, Kylee, Karen

Special thanks to Cristina for taking this photo :)

Happy wonderful Wednesday. :). Today was a very special day, as it marks our very last group excursion (the trip to the airport Friday doesn't count :) .)

Today we spent our day in Dover.  It was about an hour train ride from London; very scenic once we passed two of London's international airports.

Outside Dover Castle... with sheep!

No wool was pulled over our eyes; Dover Castle was extraordinary!

Dover Castle sits quite high; buildings and rooms within buildings are strategically placed for the utmost protection.  Rooms are furnished, providing a realistic "live in" feel, and age-appropriate music and sounds were projected in various rooms.

Fun fact: the walls of Dover Castle range from 23 feet thick at the foundation, narrowing to 18 feet thick at the top.  While many castles of this time rely on a "double wall" with crusher filling the gap, the walls of Dover Castle are solid, meaning greater strength and resilience against enemy attacks.

April provided a wonderful tour, highlighting areas of significance in and around the area.  Afterwards, the group was free to wander and explore until we departed for lunch in the town.  

After a lovely lunch (thanks, Allotment Cafe!), we trekked out to the White Cliffs.  My goodness, they were beyond magnificent.

Back: Juliet, Paulette, Heidi, Emily, Casey, April, Jay

Front: Yuri, Cristina, Paulette, Kylee, Josh R

A Cristina selfie with friends :)

If the beautiful park and scenery weren't enough, the White Cliffs park is full of wild ponies!

A wild pony in the foreground, with Dover Castle in the background.

Our hosts could care less about our arrival and departure...

After a very full and wonderful day, we jumped back on the train from Dover back to London.

Tomorrow is our last full day across the pond, and it is also our final free day.  Students have expressed interest in using their BritRail passes to visit Wales, York and Stonehenge, while others will take advantage of a London visitors' special to see five hallmark sites of London at a discounted rate, while others will partake in museums and restaurants of interest.

We look forward to seeing how everyone spends their free day; until tomorrow... :)