David poses at Leeds Castle

Geez, where do I start? Up at 5:30am to be ready for a “Golden Tours” pick-up at 7:00am began our day and we did not return to our hotel until 8:30pm – a 15-hour marathon. Yes, we did all those things I listed yesterday and each one was special indeed.

     A delightful couple (Jose from Honduras, and Emparo from Columbia) were two of our traveling companions and I was delighted since I could show off my command (in my own mind) of the Spanish language. The rest of the tour bus was a collection of peoples from all over the world – Central and South American, Asians, Germans, Americans, English, and others too hard to identify. Our tour guide, a serious-minded woman about 60 years old, who epitomized English dry humor and wit, was interesting, but not much fun. The people behind us called her a “Drill Sargent,” as she chastised them for eating smelly food on the bus with complete disregard for fellow passengers. I was surprised at such boldness but grateful since the food was smelly and distasteful. Jose, a self-described “hyper man” kept everyone alive in spirit and laughter with his antics and picture-taking that exceeded the most rabid Japanese counterpart.

Debbie at Leeds Castle-Cherry Blossom Trees blooming

     Leed’s Castle was romantic and beautiful. Opened in 1178 it was built by Henry I son of William the Conqueror! ^th century, Kings and Queens from King Henry I to Henry the Eighth and their wives and lovers used Leed’s as a getaway place for fun and relaxation. It eventually fell into the hands of an American heiress who gave the land, castles, and more to the English nation in 1927. Restored for the public it is a magnet for locals and tourists. The pictures are good, but do not do it full justice.

Often called the “Home of Queens,” it certainly was that and more. Built in the 12th Century. Built in the 12^th century, Kings and Queens from King Henry I to Henry the Eighth and their wives and lovers used Leed’s as a getaway place for fun and relaxation. It eventually fell into the hands of an American heiress who gave the land, castles, and more to the English nation in 1927. Restored for the public it is a magnet for locals and tourists. The pictures are good, but do not do it full justice.

Leeds Castle is surrounded by a pond and beautiful grounds

     The tour guide noticed my walking cane (my Hurrycane) and stated, “I’m sorry I didn’t see your stick.” Later Debbie and began to laugh out loud thinking what Christina would say about that. She has a very different definition of what a man’s “stick” might be. At any rate, my stick did help me get around more easily than otherwise. And before the day is over, we will have covered 13,517 steps, or 6.37 miles! Our pace has not diminished.

Canterbury Cathedral home to the Angelican Church

Ceilings and arches were amazing

David poses outside huge doors

     Driving on to Canterbury along rolling hills, on narrow two-lane roads, through hedges and trees creating tunnels of green, and over plateaus overlooking farmlands and herds of sheep here and there, we can see why Pope Gregory the Great in 597AD sent a monk, Augustine, to establish a monastery and Cathedral in the city. He did so, and later became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church (the Episcopal Church in America).

     It is interesting to me that in London we came upon the birthplace of Methodism (via John Wesley), and now the first headquarters of the Episcopal Church. Fascinating, because not only did I teach in a United Methodist Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri (for 10 years!), I was also an acolyte in the Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri (also for 10 years!). Life review is a great thing, and this trip to England has stirred up memories for sure.

     Another famous Archbishop of Canterbury was Thomas Becket. In 1170AD, four knights overheard Henry remarking that he wished Becket were dead. To show favor the knights took him at his word, travelled to Canterbury and killed the Archbishop (in the Cathedral). The King was horrified and regretted having said it; let this be a lesson to all those in power, be careful of your words and what you really mean. It was claimed, however, that many miracles occurred following the murder, so perhaps not all was lost.

     Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury and we passed by the remains of the church in which he was baptized. The city is also known for Canterbury Tales and the original is the best example of Old English. To conclude, our visit to this small medieval and walled city (only 38,000 population) was interesting and relaxing; the pace was a polar opposite from London.

  

Dover Castle sits high on a hill above English Channel

The White Cliffs of Dover

   It seemed a short distance to the White Cliffs of Dover. Here the ghosts of World War II hung in the air. While the cliffs were simply magnificent and the English Channel (on a clear day you can see France) beautiful, the lives lost on both sides of the Channel (Dunkirk in France, and Dover in England) were hard to ignore. It was easy to see how a number of people have successfully swam across it, and why this spot, the closest point between the two countries, was chosen by the respective armies and navies to duke it out.

     The beaches of Dover consisted of rather large sand pebbles; Debbie picked up several souvenirs, including a white rock (which we will surely claim came from the cliffs). The stop was basically a photo opportunity as we only stayed there about 15-20 minutes. I stayed on the bus.

 

The Greenwich Me

David is freezing as the temp falls and the wind blows

     Reaching the time of day that I usually take a nap is probably why I slept for more than 90 minutes on our way to Greenwich on the River Thames. A meridian is a north-south line selected as the zero reference line for astronomical observations. By comparing thousands of observations taken from the same meridian it is possible to build up an accurate map of the sky.The line in Greenwich represents the Prime Meridian of the World - Longitude 0º. Every place on Earth is measured in terms of its distance east or west from this line. The line itself divides the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth - just as the Equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres. The only visible part is this building pictured which lies behind the Queens home on a hill. The red ball used to be raised and lowered to reflect the noontime for sailors.

We would have enjoyed this city more on a warm day. Instead the wind was blowing fairly strong creating a wind chill that was almost unbearable given the amount of clothing we were wearing. The National Maritime Museum was there but not on our schedule of stops. The home of the English Navy was, however, and the buildings were impressive for sure. Included at the dock was the famous Cutty Sark ship that carried tea from China many years ago and after which a famous brand of Scotch is named. Finally the river bus arrived (we could have used our Oyster cards) and we made our way up the Thames back to London.

     The boat bus ride took us by St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, and the Tower of London. We had visited these sites on previous trips

View of St Pauls from the river Thames

to London, but seeing them again certainly lifted the spirits. The history surrounding each of them is worthy of our time. We exited at the “Embankment” dock, walked toward Westminster, and caught the #24 to Camden Town, and the #31 to Swiss Cottage where we again dined at the same Italian restaurant as the evening before, Pasticcio’s. And again it was delicious. My calamari was second only to the calamari enjoyed with Steve (Zweig) and Susan (Even) in Santorini, Greece in 2010.

Henry the VII and his wife are buried at Canterbury

St Augustine Chair First Archbishop of Canterbury

     Finally returning to the Marriott, we quickly punched in the keys to check the NCAA games. We watched the score as Kentucky upset Wichita State, cheered to see that Stanford beat Kansas, and lamented that our Missouri Tigers were behind at halftime.

     Tomorrow we go to Stonehenge; hopefully fewer steps; a goodnight to all, and to all a goodnight.