HISTORY OF DOVER CASTLE
Commanding the shortest sea crossing between England and the continent, Dover Castle has a long and immensely eventful history. Many centuries before King Henry II began the great stone castle here in the 1160s, its spectacular site atop the famous ‘White Cliffs’ was an Iron Age hill fort, and it still houses a Roman lighthouse, one of the best-preserved in Europe. The Anglo-Saxon church beside it was once probably part of a Saxon fortified settlement: very soon after his victory at Hastings in 1066, this was converted by William the Conqueror into a Norman earthwork and timber-stockaded castle.
From then on Dover Castle was garrisoned uninterruptedly until 1958, a continuous nine-century span equalled only by the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. The stronghold hosted royal visits by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I’s Queen Henrietta Maria: and from 1740 until 1945, its defences were successively updated in response to every European war involving Britain.
Operation Dynamo | Rescue from Dunkirk: Now Open
For a great family day out in Kent visit Dover Castle, open all year round! Immerse yourself in our dramatic new visitor experience, Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk,Immerse yourself ,in the drama of the Dunkirk evacuation ,of May 1940, open now to visitors.
Spectacularly situated above the White Cliffs of Dover this magnificent castle has guarded our shores from invasion for 20 centuries - now you can enjoy a great family day out with a visit to the 'Key to England'.
NEW FOR 2011
Explore the darkly atmospheric Secret Wartime Tunnels now with a vivid recreation of the Dunkirk evacuation, complete with dramatic projections of swooping Spitfires and real film footage. Watch Heart FM's breakfast team James & Charlie as they experience Operation Dynamo.
Enjoy a colourful contrast with the richly-furnished Great Tower, where costumed actors introduce medieval life at King Henry II's court.
With exciting exhibitions, winding tunnels to explore, ghosts to hunt out - and of course restaurants, shops and the space for youngsters to run around - an action-packed, great value day out awaits!
Photo taken just after dawn. On way into DOVER PORT from NORWAY, on the RYNDAM.
Tags: dovercastle
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I AM SAILING
I am sailing, I am sailing,
home again 'cross the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
to be near you, to be free.
I am flying, I am flying,
like a bird 'cross the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
to be with you, to be free.
Can you hear me, can you hear me
thro' the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
to be with you, who can say.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
thro' the dark night far away.
I am dying, forever trying,
to be with you, who can say.
We are sailing, we are sailing,
home again 'cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
to be near you, to be free.
Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh Lord.
By ROD STEWART LYRICS 1973
This emotional song was released, at a vulnerable time, in my life.
Beautiful , comforting music and lyrics.
Image taken in the DOVER STRAIT. At sunrise-- From the cruise ship RYNDAM.
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View from ship, sailing into Dover harbour.
At dawn.
Nothing like it to see home ground-even after a fantastic holiday.
Tags: Dover
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THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GREAT COMMENTS
BLUEBELL TIME
Maytime Bluebell time
Sapphire stars of perfume
Painted on Welsh hills
By Henrhyde
Location -Fields behind my farmhouse.
taken early evening.
Tags: bluebells hills fields blue maytime
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