White Cliffs of Dover

© 2016  Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The 1942 song by Vera Lynn begins…

There’ll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see

The chalk white cliffs facing the Straight of Dover and France were the subject of the popular World War II tune.  Although it was written before America had joined the war, it was penned to lift the spirits of the Allies at a time when Nazi Germany had conquered much of Europe and were bombing England.

Looking forward to visiting the White Cliffs of Dover, I had imagined what I would observe would be stark white cliffs falling away to the water.  This is what one sees in pictures, after all.  English weather, however, was not cooperating on the day that we were touring this part of Britain.  The misty, rainy day did not assist in observing the natural beauty as when wet, the cliffs become much darker.

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Our first glimpses of the Cliffs were from the Battle of Britain Memorial.  Walking to the edge of the cliffs looking out over the Straights of Dover, it was as beautiful as it could have been considering the poor weather.  And we could, however, vaguely make out the French coastline in the distance.  After spending some time at the brink of the precipice, it was time to acknowledge the Memorial.

The Battle of Britain Memorial (BOB Memorial) at Capel-le-Ferne, was also worthy of our short visit. This site is dedicated to Churchill’s famous “Few” who fought in the skies overhead to keep this country free from invasion.

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The site hosts the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall which lists the names of all those who took park in the Battle of Britain as well as replica aircraft, which stand nearby as a reminder of their victory.

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Leaving the BOB Memorial, we headed to the town of Dover which is a major port for ferries traveling to Calais, France.  Overlooked by the medieval Dover Castle which was built to repel invasions from across the English Channel, the town has a welcoming beachfront from which the Pharos lighthouse can be seen as well as the Cliffs.

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Again, the poor conditions did nothing to allow proper viewing.  Protecting cameras from the rain, we did out best to capture the beauty that we knew existed on this waterfront area.  Soon it was time to head on…but, maybe the weather will be better tomorrow…just you wait and see.

I’ll never forget the people I met
braving those angry sky’s
I remember well as the shadows fell
the light of hope in their eyes
and though I’m far away
I still can hear them say
Sun’s up
for when the dawn comes up
There’ll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
There’ll be love and laughter
And peace ever after.
Tomorrow, when the world is free
The shepherd will tend his sheep.
The valley will bloom again.
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his own little room again.
There’ll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
Written in 1941 by Walter Kent with lyrics by Nat Burton.
 
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For more information on The White Cliffs of Dover:  http://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/the-white-cliffs-of-dover/9002

 

Tour Providers Offering Service to The White Cliffs of Dover

For more information on The Battle of Britain Memorial:  http://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/the-memorial/

Opening Hours and Admission

  • March 1-May 31, 10:00am-5:00pm
  • June 1-September 30, 10:00am-6:00pm
  • October 1-February 28, 10:00-4:00pm
  • Admission-Free

 

 

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