The White Cliffs of Dover…we didn’t see any bluebirds!

Sunday 29^th September

WARNING: Today’s blog will be short and sweet because not only do I have to pack but Downton Abbey is on TV as well!

This morning we drove to The White Cliffs of Dover National Trust Visitor Centre and enjoyed a walk along the top of the famous cliffs.

In this photo you can see a ferry from Calais, 

France coming toward the very busy port of Dover.

Looking back toward Dover…you can see the port where the ferries come from and go to France. If you look carefully you can see two figures on top of the cliff top…they give an idea of the scale of the cliffs.

Another figure on the cliffs…it’s me! 

Don’t worry mum I’m not as close to the edge as I look.

Dover Castle from the cliffs.

4 roll on/roll off ferries in the harbour…

there is a constant stream of cars, caravans 

and lorries driving in and out of the port.

It was a great vantage point to watch the hustle and bustle of the world’s busiest passenger port. It’s very interesting the way the roll on /roll off system works so smoothly.

From Dover we headed for Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. They undertook extensive renovations simplifying and modernising the home, completely transforming it when complete. 

It is now owned by the National Trust.

The house has been preserved as it would have looked when Churchill owned it. Rooms are carefully decorated with memorabilia and gifts, the original furniture and books, as well as honours and medals that Churchill received.

The interior of the house is an absolute treasure trove but unfortunately there is a no photography policy in the interior of the house and Sir Winston’s Studio.

Sir Winston and Lady Clementine also refurbished the immediate grounds, which fall away behind the house, shaping them into overlapping rectilinear terraces and garden plats, in lawn and mixed herbaceous gardens. They are linked by steps descending to lakes that Churchill created by building a series of small dams, the water garden where he fed his fish, Lady Churchill's Rose Garden and the Golden Rose Walk, a Golden Wedding anniversary gift from their children. The garden areas provided inspiration for Churchill's paintings, many of which are on display in the house's garden studio.

This statue of Sir Winston and Lady Clementine is in the garden.

From Chartwell we headed to The Bakery for our last night in the UK. Again the place lives up to the photos on the internet & we’re very happy with our room.

We have brought our suitcases an all the bits and bobs we’ve accumulated in the car and have it all sorted…ready to do a final pack...this time tomorrow night we’ll be on the plane headed for home.