May 3rd
First, I went to the Templar's
Church... cause this time, it was open. I took pictures for Ben and
wished that he was there, or even that they had a gift shop. It's
impossible to find presents for him! It was cool, but I didn't spend
much time there. I went to the Bankside Gallery, realized it was
tiny... overheard some people complimenting a very abstract painting,
which I thought was funny. It was something I could have drawn
myself. But since it was so small, I was off again, and spent some
time in the Borough Market getting foods before I went to see Titus
Andronicus (Review forthcoming). Came back to the hostel and talked
to Ben.
May 4th
May the Forth be with you!
FANTASTIC DAY.
I woke myself up at six, and managed to
catch the train just in time. Literally, I hurried to get there, and
if I hadn't hustled, even run the last bit, I would have missed it.
As soon as I got off, thirty seconds later that train was on its way.
And I would have had to wait a while longer to get the next one.
So, in time, but hungry... It was about a two hour train ride to
Dover. The first time I saw the white cliffs I literally gasped.
Beautiful. I grabbed a muffin then headed to the info place, they
told me how to get to Samphire Hoe and then to Dover Castle. I had
originally planned to hit Canterbury, but when I realized how long I
was going to be in Dover, my hope sunk. It took me about an hour to
walk to Samphire Hoe, and I only got confused how to get there a few
times. I took the main roads and had to do some backtracking. The
trail carried me over a few large hills. I had to take off my coat
uphill and put it on going downhill. Samphire Hoe is the interior of
the Channel tunnel, all the dirt they didn't know where to put. It's
right down by the water, and offers some great views of the cliffs.
I walked its circumference, sat down, breathed the fresh air... I
walked about a mile there. Then, it was time to go, so I grabbed
some food from the refreshment stand... a cheese and onion sub.
Those are condiments, not sandwich material!
I walked back the correct way, and
figured out why I hadn't found it in the first place. It was a tiny
dirt trail, little more than a deer path. Walking that over the
hills of Dover was really wonderful. And exercise. Ocean and white
cliffs and hiking... mmmm. I need to hike more.
I managed to find my way up to the
castle... key word... UP. I was definitely feeling it in my legs.
My body started to hate me so I fed it a tuna sandwich. The castle
itself was fantastic, so much to explore! I liked the recreation of
the various rooms, because I was tired of making my imagination do
all the work. Dover castle is seriously well-fortified. It made me
feel very safe. Peering from the topmost tower, I saw a smudge of
another land on the horizon... there was France! So now I can say
that I've seen France, too. It also made it very clear why Henry II
would build a castle there. The walls are impossibly thick. The
only way to win out against that castle would be to starve it out.
There were also some “secret”
wartime tunnels that I got a guided tour of. It's where the British
military organized the rescue from Dunkirk. The air raid sirens, of
course, gave me horrible chills. This castle has been used every
century as a key position... I can see why. It's a giant “fuck no”
to anyone thinking about invading... especially with the cannons now.
Giggle.
I come home, VERY sore. Of course, I
grabbed a sub. Why am I so hungry??
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