Catching Up

So it has been a few days since I posted to the blog. We have been busy and our Internet access in Paris was not very good. So we are now at Our Chalet and the Internet access is better here. Not cheap, but at least it is better. We should be in shape when we get done with this because of the hiking that we are and will be doing.

So to update everyone. I last left you when we were headed to Dover. We arrived in Dover without any problems about noon. It was a nice train ride. Our B&B was close to the train station. We checked in and settled into the rooms.

Then we decided to hike 20 minutes to Dover Castle. Unfortunately, Dover Castle was built on a hill and most of the hike was UPHILL! I guess it was good practice for Switzerland. The castle was neat to see. It was built in the 12th century and they had it decorated and furnished in that time period. It was interesting because I am reading a book right now on Eleanor of Aquitaine who was the wife of the Henry that built the castle. We were able to climb to the top of the Tower in the middle. While I was up there with a couple of girls, we watched a thunderstorm roll in across the Channel from France. The castle was built in the 12th century, but there was also a lighthouse from Roman times and a church that was between the two time periods. The other interesting thing about the castle was the underground tunnels. These were built in the 18th century and used for housing troops and supplies, especially during the World Wars. A hospital was also located in some of the tunnels. After spending several hours at the castle, we walked back down into Dover.

Since we were running out of clean clothes. We found the laundramat and did laundry. There was a restaurant across the street where we all ate dinner. They had good English food that we enjoyed. Once our laundry was complete we headed back to the B&B to go to bed to be ready to go to Paris in the morning.

This day was Brittany´s 17th birthday. At breakfast we gave her a card signed by everyone and sang Happy Birthday to her when she came down for breakfast. I had a card for her from her mom and dad and she enjoyed it too. Later in Dover we bought cakes and had a small party on the front area in front of the B&B.