Canterbury and back to the Netherlands

Canterbury Park and Ride

7th of June 2023

We spent two nights at the Canterbury Park and Ride, where they have a designated area for motor homes , a popular place as it is only a 19 mile drive to Dover and it’s ferry ports. For 11 dollars a night, which includes the bus ride into the town, it also has a dump point and plenty of rubbish bins, great value. In the morning we spent some time doing a clean up and disposing of some surplus items, in readiness for the sale of the Bunyip. Mid morning we headed to explore the town of Canterbury.

A Memorable Day Trip to Canterbury: Exploring History, Canals, and Hidden Gems

Starting Off at the Park and Ride: Our day began by catching the bus from the convenient park and ride facility, which allowed us to explore Canterbury hassle-free. With ample parking and frequent bus services, it’s was the perfect way to start our journey into this historic city.
Upon arriving in Canterbury, our first stop was the tourist information office. The helpful staff provided us with maps, brochures, and valuable recommendations to ensure we made the most of our time in the city. Armed with information, we’re ready to embark on our Canterbury exploration.
We made our way through the charming streets of Canterbury, and came upon the statue of Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet and author of “The Canterbury Tales.” This iconic statue pays homage to Chaucer’s literary contributions and serves as a reminder of the city’s rich literary heritage.

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Geoffrey Chaucer
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This building houses the Tourist Information Office, art galleries and Museum
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Next, we walked up to the old town gate and through the streets until we came across the beautiful canal that winds its way through the heart of Canterbury. It was such a beautiful day and there were many taking advantage of the day by being taken for a ride on one of the boats that float through the canal. Surrounded by lush greenery, the canal offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city center. We enjoyed the peaceful ambiance and appreciated the picturesque views that unfolded before us.
Lunch in a Cozy Pub called the Cricketer : As our hunger pangs grew, we sought out a traditional pub to savor a delicious lunch. Canterbury is renowned for its cozy pubs, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere. We indulged in a hearty meal, and even enjoyed a pint of ale and a refreshing cider. The pub’s charming ambiance and friendly locals made our lunch experience truly memorable.
While Canterbury Cathedral may be the city’s most famous religious landmark, we decided to give it a miss, way too expensive. So, we delved deeper into Canterbury’s winding streets, and stumbled upon a lesser-known church that housed a peculiar relic – the finger of Thomas Becket. This intriguing artifact connected us to the fascinating history of Canterbury and added a unique twist to our day trip.

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Walk along the canals of Canterbury
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Ewout with friend
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Canterbury Cathedral, they charged $30 AUS to visit, we declined.
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St Thomas' Church in Canterbury
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Thomas Beckets finger, why? is my question.

Map of the Canterbury Park and Ride

Plenty of great doors in Canterbury

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I have picked this one out to be the "Door of the Day"

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Dover to Dunkirk

8th June 2023

Our ferry departed Dover at midday and we arrived in Dunkirk at 3 in the afternoon. We drove through Belgium and into the Netherlands, deciding to drive through the west side of the Netherlands rather than take the motorway past Antwerp. Our over night spot was in a car park with sea views and there was a takeaway stand which we purchased chips, croquettes, bami hup and a cheese thing!!, Not very healthy but we were too tired to cook.

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Waiting to board our ferry.
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Our spot for the night

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