The White Cliffs are not that white!
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2012
1
39
80
Trip End
Jun 26, 2012
Dover, England, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The agenda today is to pick up a rental car, sightsee in the morning and then meet our friends David & Orli (from a previous cruise) for lunch at around 12.00 PM. The rendezvous is to take place in the small village of Yalding, halfway between London & Dover, at a 500 year old pub known as The Anchor Inn. After lunch, time permitting, we will take a circuitous route back to Dover otherwise we shall just take the main arterial back the 45 miles or so to be back on board by 5.30 PM.
It is a half hour walk on a brisk morning to collect the car. I arrive at 8.30 AM and wait in line to be served. There is an Aussie who is taking an inordinate amount of time at the counter. As there is only one attendant, I settle into a chair to wait. After about 10 minutes the transaction appears to be concluding and the Aussie is given his keys and told to check his car for any pre-existing damage before signing his last document. The gentleman in front of me steps up and has completed his formalities in minutes before being asked to check his car also. I then approach the counter and begin my paperwork when the Aussie returns.
The attendant excuses himself for a minute whilst he attempts to finalise the Aussie and then it begins:
Attendant: Sign here for the damage report and you can go.
Aussie: (to wife) Are we covered by our insurance?
Attendant: Sir, you have cover but you can reduce the excess and/or take Loss Insurance.
Aussie: What do you think dear? (Etc. etc. etc. for 20 minutes)
Me: (Interrupting) Just give me my keys, tell me where to sign, I do not want any extras, (insurance, fuel plan, reward points, email notifications or steak knives) and I am now in an extreme hurry!!!
Minutes later I am away to collect Gail and our 2 friends from Savannah, Georgia (John & JoAnn) whom are waiting (patiently I hope) near the port entry gates.
Our first stop is Canterbury (where John & JoAnn will leave us) inside the massive medieval walled city section, and we meander around its narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings that are steeped in history and legend. At the centre is the magnificent Cathedral, which since the murder of St Thomas Becket in 1170, has over the centuries welcomed thousands of pilgrims. Today, it welcomes thousands more tourist pilgrims @ ₤9.50 to observe its gothic architecture and stunning medieval stained glass windows.
After leaving Canterbury we take back country roads in the direction of Yalding. We pass through pretty country villages and rolling green countryside. The drive evokes memories of our 2010 five week drive using the Backroads of Britain touring book.
Around 12.00 PM we are nearing the township of Yalding and we commence a steep drive down a valley which brings us alongside an effervescing river which leads directly to our lunch destination.
We greet David who has regrettably come alone as Orli has been unavoidably incommoded by staff at their London business. Despite this disappointment we enjoy a light lunch, drinks and banter well into the afternoon.
Time once again is our enemy and with brief parting words we set the GPS for the quickest route to Dover and head back for our 6.00 PM sailing.
