Canterbury

 Well it's time to bring you up to date with last weeks travels.   We told you about our newest addition Annie, who we picked up while we were in Canterbury, but I haven't told you about Canterbury.

After dropping off our luggage in Southampton, we turned east and drove several hours east, past London to the village of Bridge, just a few miles outside of Canterbury.

Our VRBO for the next week is a converted schoolhouse turned into several cottages.  A nice backyard, shared game room, plus several bathrooms, and washing machine. 

Having arrived later in the day on Sunday, after getting settled in we headed down the street about 500 yards to the Bridge Arms Pub for Sunday Roast.     For those of you who might not know - a tradition in many of the pubs is to put on a Sunday Roast.   For a fixed price you get an option of meat and fixins.   Usually served with Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, and vegetables.

A pint and a roast.

Kate opted for the Beef

And I went for the Pork and Cracklings.

Our big green backyard

Each night around dusk a large Pheasant showed up and strutted around the garden for an hour or so.  His loud call accompanied by the flapping of his wings interrupted the peace and quiet and let everyone know he was in town.

Our downstairs - a large open plan dining/living area.

Monday was spent doing some odd shopping.   Groceries, plus some pet supplies in anticipation of Annie's arrival later in the week.   

On Tuesday we went into Canterbury for a walking tour of the old town.   Narrow cobbled streets turned into pedestrian zones, made it a very nice place to walk around and enjoy the day.

At the end of one of the streets we came upon Westgate Gardens.   Workers were busy planting flats of annuals in anticipation of the summer months.    This garden has been around for hundreds of years, being started in the 15ht century.

Lucy enjoys the last of her peace and quiet before the arrival of Annie

Another must see while we were here was a trip to Dover Castle.    Overlooking the town and harbor from its perch high up on the white cliffs, it sets a dramatic and foreboding vision.   

Built, partially destroyed, and re-built over the years, the current castle originates from from the mid 1100's and Henry II

Inside the great room.

The view from the roof of the Great Tower.   You can see Dover harbor to the right of center, and an approaching ferry to the left of center.   In the distance, about 26 mile away is the French Coast.   On a clear day you could read the time of day from the village clock using a pair of binoculars.

View from Dover Castle Great Tower

The castles kitchen.

On Thursday, our last day of peace before the arrival of Annie - we headed back into Canterbury to visit the world famous Canterbury Cathedral.   Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Cathedral really became world famous due to Thomas Becket.     

The short story on Becket is that he served King Henry II as Lord Chancellor, enforcing the Kings Revenue laws.   Later he was appointed as The Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest religious position in England.  It was Henrys hope that Sir Thomas's loyalties would remain with the state rather than the church, but as the weight of the office settled in, Becket got religion so to speak, and as Henry pushed against the church, his former ally pushed back.   Eventually the pushing back and forth got to a breaking point and a few knights, decided to curry favor with Henry, and on December 29, 1170, they separated Becket from this world.

A square near Canterbury Cathedral

Within 2 years, of his death, Pope Alexander III made Becket a saint and soon the Cathedral became a shrine attracting pilgrims from all over the world.   A shine grew in the Cathedral, and soon the riches held by the church grew to astounding proportions.

Preservation of the Cathedral

During the reign of Henry VII, and his dissolution of the monasteries, the riches of the Becket shrine were seized.   It is said that Becket was summoned to court to answer charges.   Becket, having been dead for about 400 years, obviously did not appear.   So, because he was a "no-show" that became the legal vehicle used to seize all the goods.   The shine was looted and destroyed, Beckets bones were destroyed and scattered, and all mention of Becket throughout the land was removed, including from religious books.

Henry VIII obviously did not want anyone held in higher esteem than himself.

Below, the exact spot where Becket was assassinated.

Kate stands on the spot talking to the docent

One example of the beautiful stained glass throughout the cathedral.

It's a truly impressive and beautiful cathedral.   I think the Italian Cathedrals are more impressive due to the Italians skills with stone working, but it is still beautiful and hard to imagine how they actually built things like that over a thousand years ago.

The candle marks the spot where Beckets Shrine once stood.

On the perimeter of the Cathedral are numerous other chapels pertaining to other things.  There is a French chapel for instance, and below is St Michael's Chapel.  AKA the "Warriors Chapel" it was established in 1439 (53 years before Columbus sailed) and pays homage to various military figures and regiments over the years.

St Michaels Chapel

Well, soon it was Friday and time for me to make a puppy run.    The plan was the driver would leave on Thursday and drive 13 hours from Barcelona to Calais.   I would take a taxi from our place, thru the Chunnel, to Calais, and we would meet at 1230 at a McDonalds.

We arrived a bit early, and like clockwork, at 1225 our driver pulled in from Barcelona.

On the train to Calais

Well we made the transfer, exchanged some chit chat, and soon he was headed south and we were headed back on the train to the UK.

Now Lucy has a little sister

As expected, the dogs are getting along fine.   Lucy as been a bit standoffish from this high energy furball, but as the days pass, she has gotten more used to it, and now they actually lay on the sofa together. 

The next day - Saturday - we had a 3.5 hr drive to our next stop, the Village of Blakeney, on the coast in Norfolk.   Since check-in time was not till 4pm, we had time to kill, so I added a stop at Hever Castle to our days travels.

Hever Castle is the childhood, and family home of the Boleyns.   Remember Anne Boleyn,  Henry VIII's second wife?  She grew up here.

Hever Castle

Hever Castle Moat and gate

The Castle was purchased in 1903 by William Waldorf Astor, son of the famous "Robber Baron" John Jacob Astor.  As a result of his purchase, much has changed inside and a lot of the displays are oriented towards him rather than the Boleyns.   It was slightly disappointing, but beautiful none the less.

There are beautiful gardens surrounding the castle which are a destination on thier own.

Sitting room

Dining Room

After a few hours visiting and giving the dogs a good workout, we got back on the road and headed north to our next destination.    We are now in Blakeney, on the coast in Norfolk, and already have been enjoying all this area has to offer.   Yesterday was a 5 mile walk to the next village and back.

But all that if for our next post.

Thanks for following along.  I hope you are enjoying the ride.