Canterbury Cathedral

　The name of Canterbury reminded me of "Canterbury Tales" written by Geoffrey Chaucer which I studied in a history class when I was a student. Also they say that Canterbury is the "gate to Heaven", so I began to want to go there.
　 This journey took me one hour and fifty minuites from Victoria bus station to Canterbury. Unfortunately, it was Easter Monday, so almost all of the shops were closed ; Were the residents pious because Canterbury is the "gate to Heaven"? Therefore, I had a lot of time after I visited Canterbury Cathedral, so I got on a bus to Dover, the departure point to France.

Canterbury Cathedral

　Since Thomas Becket was murdered here in 1170, Canterbury Cathedral became the center of one of the important medieval pilgrimages. Whenever I visit a cathedral or church, I am awe-struck. It happened once again when I went to Canterbury Cathdral. An cold atmosphere of tension made me deeply moved thinking it was the gate of Heaven.

　
left 1 : the entrance of Canterbury Cathedral
left 2 : There were many people who wore period clothes in the town of Canterbury.
right 1,2 : You can take some pictures inside if you pay one pound. I was embarrassed because I had to put on an armband as an evidence of permission.

Dover

　When I got off the bus, I didn't know the direction to Dover Castle. Anyway, I began to go up the road named "Cliffe Top". After a fairly long time, I found Dover Castle on the oposite side! I was already tired because I climbed a pretty steep slope. However, I decided to go to Dover Castle, because I came to Dover all the way from Japan and I thought Dover Castle was the main spot in Dover. Again, I got lost! I saw the castle, but I couldn't find the entrance. I asked the way to the castle many times. When I eventually arrived at the castle, I was exhausted.

left : Dover Castle ; middle : the sea from Dover Castle ; rignt : the scenery from Dover Castle

St. Augustine's Abbey
　After St. Augustine arrived and began his mission, he founded this abbey in the sixth century. When I came back from Dover to Canterbury, I still had some time, so I visited here although I was pretty exhausted.

right : a jet stream over St. Augustine's Abbey

(2002.3.29)

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Trip to England