A bus and a walk brought the group to the front gate. We walked through the outer courtyards to the oldest keep the first part of the fort that was constructed. The history of the place was relayed in a concise manner and we entered. The stones were rough and grey, the corridors dark. None of the opulence of Windsor Castle, yet the weight of its history remained. Without modern comfort besides electric lighting it was easy to imagine standing in the sanctum of Dover Castle in any of the ages that it has been defending Albion. The worn and cobbled streets again underfoot we entered the tunnels that had served as a military operations center in WWII. Now only a museum to the deeds of the past. The labyrinth was eerie in its quietude, besides the tour guides voice and sound of footsteps at times only a soft shifting of air from the ventilation fans was all that was to be heard. Graffiti carved into the chalk walls of the tunnels was the only artifact from the service men and women stationed here in the War, their only ghosts.
It was then that we left for Canterbury. The college town had a different atmosphere from Dover, it felt more alive, more connected to the here and now. The streets supported dozens of beautiful English buildings as we wove our way towards the Cathedral which is perhaps the most important of the Anglican faith. We wandered the interior of Canterbury Cathedral for the better part of an hour. Breathing in the importance of the location, the beauty of the architecture, and the stunning stained-glass. Although we retired for the afternoon we returned as the sun set for Evensong service. We sat in the chancel the service was conducted and it was truly amazing to hear the choir’s song. It was after the beautiful sights and sounds that we began our evening drive to London.
In London we treated the day simply as it was: our last. We visited the most famous sites of the city: Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the London Tower. It was to see and enjoy the last day of a life changing and monumental event in all of our lives.