“…SPECIALLY FROM EVERY SHIRES ENDE/Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende/The hooly blisful martir for to seke/That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.” So begins Chaucer’s Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.
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Chaucer is "de Man" in Canterbury
Few knights, millers, reeves or cooks still make the 125-mile pilgrimage from the Tabard Inn in Southwark but thousands of tourists travel from London and pay the £14 admission. Our journey—a bus ride from our AirBnB in Whitstable on the coast north of Canterbury—was hardly a pilgrimage. We weren't much on saints and martyrs when we visited Canterbury ten years ago. Still aren't! We had our English Heritage pass so the Cathedral was free—today’s admission is a whopping £14!—and the Christchurch Gate is under construction; a bit off-putting. Never mind, there was plenty else to see in Olde Canterbury.
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Tour group waiting at Christchurch Gate
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Old (1500) Weaver's House, most scenic view in Canterbury
Kindle in hand, Connie lead us on yet another Rick Steves walking tour. Rick owns a US tour company, has authored about a gazillion European guidebooks and hosts a long-running travel show on Public Television. His guidebooks are essential for DYI travel in Europe. We wandered past breweries and butchers from days gone-by, always with the Cathedral tower in view. Besides the Cathedral, his only other recommendation we skipped was a punt ride on the Great Stour. It seemed hokey and at £15 a bit pricey. My photos will have to do.
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Canterbury Cathedral from Butchery Lane
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Public Gardens and River Stour
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Punting is big business in Canterbury
By the way, here is a translation from the Chaucer’s English: “…specially from the ends of every county/Of England to Canterbury they travel/To seek the holy blissful martyr/Who helped them when they were sick.”
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Dover Castle looms over the White Cliffs
Of course we visited the famous White Cliffs of Dover, just a hop, skip and jump from our flat. It was windy, just like the last time we were there with Dover Castle looming over the busy harbour. I guess it’s another pilgrimage of sorts.