Another chilly day in warm gear, did see a glimpse of blue sky in the grey overcast. It always looks as though it is going to rain but the icy winds keeps the rain at bay. Early start this morning to catch up on our TravelPod entries before I download on the Internet later tonight.

Even though the weather was quite crisp we enjoyed our scenic walk down the main (A257) tree lined road past wooded fields and homes into Canterbury. First stop was Macdonald's for a coffee to warm us up had a lovely chat to the people sitting next to us, on our city map they pointed out some interesting sites to see. It is Saturday and the streets are alive with tourists and locals going about their business. The main cobblestone street is crowded plenty of mobile food and stalls, the little fruit/vegie market is busy, buskers everywhere. A very enjoyable walk listening and people watching while looking at the old buildings.

Down a small lane we noticed the Christchurch Gate off the Buttermarket (square surround by medieval buildings) the entrance to the grounds where the Canterbury Cathedral founded in 597AD, Mother church of the Anglican Communion. It houses a Romanesque crypt, 12^th century quire and some of the oldest and most beautiful stained glass windows in the country.

At this time of day there are quite a few groups of tourist and the entry fee is steep plus the cathedral is hidden by scaffolding under restoration. So we gave it a miss it may the oldest and probably the most famous but there will be many others throughout the country and you can only see the cathedral from within its walls.

We wandered through the lanes looking at the different shops housed in the old buildings till we reach a bridge over the Stour River watching the tourist in the river boats and punts pass under the bridge then between houses built on the river’s edge like in Venice. The riverside walk through the park by the canal river was peaceful with people relaxing having lunch on the grass.

Managed to find our way back to the main cobblestone street to the Westgate Towers which has stood over the road to London for six centuries and cars still pass through here it is a very busy intersection. Walked by the Guildhall Tower House to the Westgate Gardens by the Stour River where you see the punts taking tourists round the river canal, the water is so chrystal clear. The gardens are beautifully designed and beautifully maintained.

With all the laneways somehow we managed to find the Dane John Mound where we climbed to the top of the historical mound for views of the city and surrounding areas including parts of the Canterbury Cathedral. Next we walked along the Old City Walls and by this time we had worn ourselves out so it was a slow enjoyable walk back to the Bekesbourne Lane Camping and Caravanning Site.

Caught up with Arthur and Edna who also ventured out for the day and realised they had tickets to the Canterbury Cathedral which they could have given to us. Not to worry there are plenty of other cathedrals to see. Our last afternoon coffee and biscuits with Arthur and Edna they travel on to Hastings and we leave also to visit Richard’s cousin Christopher and wife Gillian in Westbrook Margate. Last discussion of towns to visit and mark our very large map of UK and Ireland hopefully we will meet up in Hastings at the Caravanning and Motorhome Site Fairlight Wood off Pett Road where they will be spending four nights.

You don’t realize the time here as it doesn’t get dark till after 8pm and it is a rush for dinner and retiring can be after 10pm if you are lucky but then we are on holidays and don’t need to get up for work the next day.