Another interesting day in Dover April 29th

I am writing this while sitting in the grounds of Dover Castle overlooking the French coastline, when the fog/clouds lifts.  What a huge place 400 hectares, built by William the Conqueror's grandson.  It has been added to over the years.  The castle design is the same as in London, apparently it was the family design for castle building.  It is a garrison fort, and played a huge part in defence during WW2.

We have just been through the hospital tunnel which was the first place that the wounded were taken for triage or being made stable before being sent to country hospitals.  1800 staff worked there during a normal day, and often they were encouraged to get some fresh air and sunlight.   They did, and kept a watchful eye on the German guns, as it took 36 seconds for the shell to reach Dover.

John is doing the underground tunnel tour, I am unsteady in the low light so opted out.

St Mary's Church 1100's

Castle life, Hugh kitchens, guest accommodation, butchers shop and another throne

There is also a Mi,Italy museum, and I have taken a photo of the medals that Harold Sedgwick would have been awarded in the Boer War, and which were taken from him at his Court martial, bit difficult due to the lightening, also the Crimea medal awarded to one of my great grandfathers.

Throughout the military museum they depicted all the different battles the Foot soldiers were involved with.

Earlier in the morning we tried to find River House home of Great grand uncle Robert Jennings,  but we're unable.  A little way up the road from us is Kearney, where so many of the large homes were. Our host though it was on the road, but it was River View instead, so on we went to Coldred, to find the Coldred Manor where George Jennings lived and then provided a home for his wife's family.

What a lovely village, complete with 1715 pub, opposite the lake where the used to drown the witches. Lovely!  Once again the signboard tells the story, these are all over the place and are most helpful.  The Manor is a Georgian style building.  The whole area was in his day sheep lands, as are the various other buildings, would all have been on the estate.  Wonder where all led to Lyndon another small village where George's wife was born, daughter of Peter Harnett,  but we couldn't find anyone who knew the family name, but no doubt she was christened in the church, which is made of stone, maybe flint.

With good Internet reception on top of the hill, I have a few more photos to share as a reminder of our stay in Dover.

The White Cliffs, Dover Castle, our accommodation and the Mini minor cars

St .Peter and St Pauls Church, the family had connections to it, just behind where we are staying.

Beulah House built 1890