I was due to leave for Canterbury on 18th February for four nights, and then Storm Eunice hovered and was due to hit on the day I was leaving home. Having found out that my train ticket would be valid to use either on the 17th or 19th due to the storm, I rang the hotel to see if I could book in a day early. Once that was confirmed, I had a frantic time packing. All my plans seemed rushed. I have never packed so fast and with little thought! I’d rung them in the afternoon and I arrived around 6.45 that evening. In the dark it was hard to spot the hotel, but I arrived, quickly unpacked, and went for a meal in the dining room.
No one knew quite what would happen the next day, except winds were due to reach between 60-80 miles and hour. We received the highest warning (Red). I made the right choice as I’d not have got here otherwise. Trains were suspended, planes had trouble landing (some aborted landing and flew back). Building collapsed, roofs were blown off including part of the O2 building in London.
On that first morning, I did little except pop out before the peak hit, just to get my bearings. I had a nice nap in the afternoon while the wind raged. By 4pm things had died down and I ventured out and took a walk around part of the city walls (not Roman, but built on top of them), took a stroll through Dane John Gardens and watched the sun set from the top of Dane John monument. Dane John is from the Norman ‘Donjon’. The Normans raised their first defences here. At the top it was really scary as the wind was strong still and I clung to the railings to take a few photos. I was glad to get down again.
Canterbury is the birth place of Christianity, the place where Thomas Becket was martyred, the birthplace of Christopher Marlowe and the story of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. It is also the birthplace of the creator of Rupert Bear, and has the oldest church in the English speaking world. Canterbury also has many Roman remains. Walking in the city is walking on Roman buildings and roads. Even the hotel where I am staying has part of the Roman Theatre beneath it. In the foyer is a glass floor where you can see part of it.
Because there is so much to see and do here that I am splitting this blog into parts.
Yesterday I had a four hour window (with sunshine!) to get out and take photos before heavy rain set in. I wanted to see the River Stour and ended up walking a fair distance of it. Westgate Gardens is a beautiful part of it, and I enjoyed being out in the sun. The wind had dropped and it was pleasant.
On my return to the city, I had a few places I wanted to visit. These included The Beany (House of Art & Knowledge) which is also the city Tourist Information Office, Library and has galleries. But that, I’m afraid, is for next time.
My London+ 