Dover Castle

After the cliffs, I drove on for two minutes to the magnificent Dover Castle. The castle is absofuckinlutely huge, the largest in England and contains everything from a Roman lighthouse to WW2 tunnels. I must hang my head in shame and admit right now that I didn't bother with the WW2 stuff, since it was a long wait to get in, and I was beginning to suffer from old ruins overdose. Apparently the underground tunnels, which was the British HQ during the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, started life as barracks for troops to fight an eventual French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. I pwomise to see 'em and report back next time, mmmkay?

Dover was a very important harbour, one of the Cinque Ports (pronounced "sink") of yore. In addition to regular trade, the area was also home to thousands of smugglers over the years, taxes and tariffs being no more popular than today. The castle itself became known as "the key to England", when the Normans started building it in the 12th century. Like with so many ancient castles, there have been numerous reconstructions and additions. I'll let the pics do the talkin' from now on:

An Irish wolfhound, belonging to one of the many volunteers who act around the castle. About the size of a small pony (the dog, not the volunteer).


From the Royal chambers in the keep - several of the English kings spent time at Dover.


Gaudy colors, but apparently this was quite common way back when. I've even read that the old Greek marble statues used to be painted in bright colors.


This is my hole and I'm bloody well staying here!


View from the roof of the keep - north.


View to the south.


The keep in all its splendor - and this was just one part of the castle.


A model of the keep.


I can't help it... I get misty-eyed when I see Union Jack waving in the wind.


The Roman lighthouse.


Ancient boomstick. So ancient, it's not even boom.


Some modern boomsticks. Now THESE make LARGE boom.


What a scribe's workplace looked like.


Where they kept the money. Sweet, sweet money.


Finally, a wascally wabbit sniffing around the castle grounds.