There'll be bluebirds over ...

Today we made our way over to Dover - and whilst Vera Lynn may have promised bluebirds, the closest we got were magpies - it just doesn't have the same ring, somehow.

I think I've already mentioned that John and my dads were together in 55 Squadron Desert Airforce (he tells me) in WWII.  Three years ago today, his dad died so it was particularly poignant that we took his mum with us and visited the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel le Ferne near Folkstone.   It's a relatively new memorial (within the last 10 years).  There was a wall naming the 2,800 plus pilots who had flown out to Dunkirk ... many of whom, of course, never returned.  John's showing the Bristol Blenheim long nosed variant plane that our dads' squadron operated.

Not to be outdone, Peggy and I joined John in front of one of the two replica planes - that's just about the distance I accept having my photo taken with no wide angle lens required.

In the centre, there's a sculpture of a pilot, looking out across the English Channel towards Dunkirk.  The second picture is MEANT to show you what it all depicts ... the pilot is sitting in the centre of a propeller - in the foreground is one of the propeller blades.

 All the UK based squadrons had a dog as a mascot - and this sculpture represents them all.  We all know I'm a sucker for a nice dog so it goes without saying, this has to be included.

From there we drove to White Cliffs Park above Dover.  There was quite a sea mist around so I won't bore you with the excellent photos I took of the channel ferries arriving into the port, through a very narrow gap.  They didn't come out!

 But I will bore you with my sensational photoshoot of Vera's topic without a seagull or magpie in sight ...

and I will finally provide a photograph, taken from the car window, with which I totally excelled all expectations.  John (as you may have noticed in the first photograph) sports a rather splendid camera, and is devastated by my expertise!   He cruelly pointed out that the castle I was taking a photograph on the brow of the hill is to the right of the picture, and what you are seeing is, in fact a medieval church and you can't even see the roman lighthouse beside it.  (I've known this man far too long!!)

But the reason I wanted to include it, is because it sets the scene for a little history lesson (from one who achieved 25% in school certificate history!).  It interested me at least.  Evidently there are 'Medieval Tunnels' beneath the castle and the whole place was used to house underground barracks for over 2000 soldiers.  At the beginning of WWII those tunnels were recommissions, extended and housed a bomb-proof centre for the defence of Dover and the coast.  And from there, Vice Admiral Ramsay directed 'Operation Dynamo' - the evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk in May and June.

It's been a lovely day - clear blue skies, great company and a lovely meal at a restaurant right beside the Bristol Channel.  Who could ask for more?