DOVER & CALAIS DAY 2/2

DAY 2/2

This star represents the Lighthouse association across France!

Nice and early we made our way to the buffet breakfast that awaited us. There was a good range of hot and cold foods, juices, teas and coffees to line our stomachs for the day ahead. Our ferry was leaving at 11am and as we were foot passengers, we had to arrive an hour early for check-in. We asked the hotel to order us a taxi while we ate. Once stuffed to the brim (again) our cab was ready to whisk us off to Dover Ferry Port.
We hadn't realised how strict the 'Arrive 1 hour before departure' was. (What they had really meant when saying that was 'Arrive 1 hour 15 mins before departure minimum as the shuttle bus leaves dead on an hour before departure') and thankfully when we arrived (9:59am), we managed to hold the shuttle bus while we checked in quickly and then hopped on.
The greatest thing that we found about being a foot passenger was that we were the first people (aside from the staff) on the Ferry. We got to pick the best seats (on our inbound journey we had these huge double seater like bed things.

The journey across the English Channel took 90 minutes. Whilst on-board we made conversation with a fellow passenger. He was a masters student studying in London, on his way to the 'Calais Jungle'. He had been a couple times before and from what he described, it was a horrible place to be. This being, aside from the harsh conditions, lack of food and shanty shelters the asylum seekers were living in, the problem was the racism faced from none other than the police. The man described the countless times they had brought water cannons to destroy the homes built as well as gases to stop the protesting of ill treatment. It is clear they are seen as a race foreign to our own, when really they are humans. Amongst those fleeing the war are doctors, accountants, teachers and others with 'respected professions', not that that factor is supposed to make them any more human than the rest, but it is to put in perspective that all these people living in camps across this side of the world are the unfortunate ones, that got caught in the cross fire sparked by the western governments and have lost everything. The man then asked what our plans were for the day... I felt slightly guilty to then explain how we were off for a mini break. Sigh.

Once we had alighted the ferry, we walked about 15 minutes into the town. I love planning ahead and had looked into the Calais Lighthouse located just on the edge of the town. It had 271 steps going directly up to the top... it was a must! On a clear day it was said you could even see the white cliff edges of the Cliffs of Dover. 
It cost 4€ each for a guided tour of the tower, that stood 180 feet high. The guide was a young, extremely friendly as well as fit (if I do say so myself) woman who knew everything there was to know about the lighthouse. She began by taking us into the downstairs rooms and explaining a bit about the building, we then proceeded directly up. Till this day, I can't get the image out of my mind of the young woman talking and walking backwards whilst  hardly even breaking a sweat up the 271 steps that lead to the top. There I was panting away.
When we had finally reached the top we were able to take in the scenery. Calais is not the prettiest of places though the sea itself was quite remarkable to view from such a height. We listened to more interesting facts about the building and its surroundings, walked round the top a couple times then headed back down.

Calais Lighthouse Model

After our visit to the lighthouse we caught the towns free bus service further in. It was a tiny yellow bus (we named it the bubble bus) and was made for tourists, though the locals also get a lot use out of it (it was so cramped half the time). The service ran every 10 minutes from one end of the town to the other, stopping off at tourist hotspots. It was great! We hopped aboard the bubble bus and caught it into the centre of Calais. As we walked around we realised there actually wasn't much going on. It began to rain and in the end we decided to go get some food. Cafe de Paris was one of the few restaurants actually open, with a fair amount of customers, so we got a table. The service wasn't that great. We waited a very long time to even be served drinks. The waiter was friendly but that didn't make up for it. Eventually, when our food was ready, the chef brought it over. It was average, tasty but not amazing. It was also overpriced. This place had one of the top reviews on tripadvisor and I couldn't figure out why! We had filled our stomachs and realised we didn't have much time to get back to the ferry port, and I still wanted to get some cheese!!! The fromagerie was just across the street so after paying the bill we nipped inside and I practised the limited French I remembered from secondary school. We then headed to the boulangerie for some tasty dessert treats to eat on the journey home.

Walking back seemed like the right idea as we had just seen the bubble bus go past, and waiting another 10 minutes would only delay us further. Once again we were rushing, but this time in the rain!

Fortunately, we made it to the shuttle bus dead on time (again) and began our journey home.
We bought hot drinks from the onboard Starbucks once we had departed and indulged in our chocolaty dessert.

Now back in Dover we got in a taxi that took us to Dover Priory where we had to catch our fast train back to St Pancras station. The journey was meant to take an hour but as we arrived at Dover Priory, we were notified that only the slow train was leaving from this station due to engineering works. C'est la vie.
We were tired and wanted to get home, so we found cosy seats in a quiet carriage and slept for the remainder of the journey back. At one point I remember waking by a sharp (but tasty) smell coming from my bag. It was the cheese! The heaters had been on and were cooking the poor cheese by the second.
After almost 2 hours we arrived at London Victoria station and were almost home.

Peace&Love
Willow 

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DOVER & CALAIS DAY 1/2

Now, I L-O-V-E a good deal. Who doesn't?

To find the top travel deals (which also seem to miraculously cheer me up) I often look to deal sites such as Travelzoo and WOWCHER. On this occasion, I had hit the jackpot on Wowcher. An over night stay at the 4* Ramada Hotel Dover, including a three course dinner and buffet breakfast, plus inclusive return ferry tickets to Calais for two at just £89. Say whaaaaat?! No no no, not per person, for two!
Booked.

DAY 1/2

We were off again, this time for a petite weekend break. We left on Friday 4th March as after doing some research, I found that Calais was best to visit on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, this being many of the shops and restaurants would be closed. I, as usual, missed my bus ( I promise I try to be on time, the damn buses are always running early when I need to be somewhere important!!!). I ended up pulling over a local taxi that charged me the standard (overpriced) rate to the underground station. 
We made our way to Victoria, the station where our mainline train would depart to Dover Priory. The journey from Stratford through to Dover totalled to around 2 hours 45 mins, this was due to the fact that we had got tickets for the slow train. Unlike the quick zippy London underground rides I'm used to, the mainline services that take a couple hours really show England off for what it is all about... beauty!

We arrived in Dover at 2pm. The station was located around 5 minutes walk to the town centre, so we decided to have a wander. I had contemplated going back to the hotel to check in and drop off our bags, but as it was located a while away it seemed logical to build up our appetite while enjoying the outdoors and then retire to the hotel later on.

Once in town, there were plenty of signs directing us to Dover Castle and The White Cliffs. I was hoping to see them at some point, and tomorrow we would be in Calais, so why not! We continued on. First we walked up one hill, then another and then along a tiny roadside path that we mistook to being the final leg. We turned a corner to then see an enormous roadside hill that lead directly to the castle. The problem was, it was SO steep. The two of us had been walking around 25 minutes and already we were feeling it. There was no way I was allowing us to stop because there was actually nowhere safe to stop.
After about 10 minutes of steep incline, we had made it... and the castle was closed. It was a Friday afternoon and the castle was closed to the public. Humph... we sat, surrounded by sheep, catching our breath. At least The White Cliffs will be open. I opened google maps and typed in 'White Cliffs'... walking time: 1 hour. You've got to be kidding me. That was the last straw, we were calling a taxi!

From the Castle to The White Cliffs the taxi cost £5 and took around 5 minutes to reach. As we hopped out it was fair to say we were blown away (quite literally) with the incredible views before us. It was very windy, but being 350 feet above sea level during early March, it was to be expected.
We took a stroll along the cliff edge, taking in the views before us. The English Channel seemed so serine... rocking back and fourth, and every so often colliding with the rocks that lay below. In the near distance we could see the ferry port, unfortunately, this vital trading hub for the UK somewhat disturbed the serenity.
When you're on a cliff edge the extraordinary realisation that you, ultimately are in control tends to home in. Cynical it may be, but it is the truth. One brave (?) move and you could be done for... finito. You could become one with the sea...How many times a day do you face death... and walk away?

After a living on the edge for a while and now freeeezing cold, we decided to make our way to the warmth of the hotel. On arrival at the Ramada the staff were very friendly and made check in quick and easy. We booked a table in the Olive Tree restaurant for 8:00pm and went to relax!
8pm came around quickly and we went to feast on our 3 course meal. The food was great, all three courses. As I approached the final mouthfuls of the Creme Brulee I ordered for dessert I realised I couldn't go on. It is very rare that I go to a restaurant, have 3 courses and fail to finish the dessert. 
We left the restaurant looking 4 months pregnant, and ready to K.O.

Peace&Love
Willow 

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