We arrived at Heathrow after a very early flight from Dublin, collected a car, and drove to Dover. Dover as a deliberate destination is apparently original and a source of hilarity to some of our English hosts. When asked about the places we have visited in England, we’ve found it best to be vague. This avoids a blank look, or even an incredulous. “You came to London and drove straight to Dover?” In Hexham, a delightful medieval city on Hadrian’s Wall, our host said, “I’ll dine out on this for weeks!”. I said she could stretch it as much as she wished so she said, “I’ll tell everyone you spent your nine weeks in Dover!”
Derek has long wanted to see The White Cliffs of Dover. Sometimes we hear about places in our childhood and they retain a place in our hearts. Our afternoon in Dover was interesting and with its iconic white cliffs, and fascinating Dover Castle, we are glad we included this destination. However, having subsequently been to Cornwall, Cotswolds, Snowdonia, Lakes District and Scotland, I’m very pleased we went to Dover at the start of our time in England, and not the end.