South Foreland LightHouse and Fan Cove

The weather was amazing on the Saturday so we took a walk along the cliffs, going to the South Foreland Lighthouse and Fan Cove Deep Shelter. We could walk to the lighthouse from our caravan so this was our first stop.

Our guide was brilliant, really informative and funny and we learnt a lot about the lighthouse. Including that Michael Faraday used to work there, working on an alternative power source to whale oil. 

Lighthouse keepers desk

The light - glass made in Birmingham.

View from the top

Unfortunately we couldn't go out at the top as they are repainting but it was still good.

                                     

Back down we got lunch at the cafe, which is amazing. And sat looking out over the sea, before starting our walk. 

Over Dover.

Fan Cover

View from the entrance to the tunnels.

We went down the tunnels and took the tour which was as good as las time.

How it would have looked.

The tunnels took 100 days to build and were meant to be accommodation for soldiers. But the condensation made it unliveable so it become an emergency shelter which was often used during WWII.

Office water cooler.

Fossil.

We went out onto the cliff front and the guide explained the concrete sound mirrors, used to locate boat, planes, and troupe movements in the Channel. And they still work. They were covered up after the war so were protected until uncovered in 2015.

Fungi.

Giant shell

We walked back to the lighthouse for a cuppa before making it back to the caravan. But we knackered Mom out. Her ankle still isn't up to as much walking as we put her through.
We eat at the caravan that night with mom resting her ankle with an ice pack. Oops!

Foraging!

The main reason for the trip was to go foraging (with expert guidance!). I went on this trip last year and Dad really liked the sound of it so I brought them vouchers for it. (And tagged along of course.) This time was near Ramsgate and more sea plants than the oysters and seafood last year. We got there a little early and wondered around the park.

Sunny!

Directions to Rome

Viking ship!

This was a much bigger group than last time (~25 compared to 3). We set off along the cliff top  first.

sea fennel.

Lucia explaining Alexander seeds to mom and dad

We went through a field and round the back and through some woods. I am not sure if was really a path.

And down to a tunnel through to the sea front.

Heading in.

Day light!

Scramble down to the bottom

Out on the white cliffs.

On the beach front, Lucia showed us samphire and sea-blite which can both be eaten rare.

Samphire

Sea-blite 

After getting samples to take home, we headed to the camp for lunch. Mom and dad especially enjoyed the Sea buckthorn juice.

Drinks list

Menu

It was all really nice and very different from my normal lunch. But my favourite was the desert, a trio of cakes and a glass of elderflower cordial.

After lunch, we headed to an abandoned car park which sounds odd but was the home of the lovely sea buckthorn. We all descended on the trees and collected as much as we could. It sounds bad and we did feel a little guilty but Lucia assured us there was lots around and it was a sustainable plant. 

Sea buckthorn

Way home.

We headed back to st. Margarets and were hoping to check out the lighthouse. But could not figure out how to get to it. (The last time I walked from Dover along the cliffs but we were not doing that.) However we did find the beach so that worked!

Dover cliffs.

That evening, we didn't want a lot to eat so just had a snack at the bar and headed back to mom and dad room (and away from all the kids) for a bottle of wine and movie.

Dover Castle

The last day of my road trip was spent at Dover castle. I once again got the annoyingly early and had to wait somewhere. The ticket desk suggested I go to the tours first as they get busy. They are of parts of the tunnels used in WWII but after Saturday, it was really boring. All you did was move between a few rooms and watch videos. They have miles and tunnels and you get to see very little.

View from outside the tunnels.

After lunch, I went to the castle part which was much better. The castle was built my Henry II so one of my heroines, Eleanor of Aquitaine, his wife, would have stayed there.

Entrance

Draw bridge.

Heading up the keep.

Eleanor of Aquitaine was an amazing woman, who ended up basically ruling England and France at a time when women were just property.

Banquet room.

Top table

Guest bedroom

Chapel for Thomas Becket

Throne room

King bed.

There were some great guides hanging around, happy to chat and answer questions.

View from the top of the castle

View over Dover from the top of the castle

I had to head back fairly early as I was back at work on Monday and wanted to relax. :( But at least the drive back was good (despite my SatNav having a few issues making my get off the motorway and straight back on again, for no obvious reason). But I did come back with a tan from my weekend away. :)