The French connection September 16

Hated to leave our digs in Dover(not).
30 pounds including pilgrim discount. It included breakfast but we couldn't bear to see what might be served so we snuk out before 7am. Walked five minutes to the P&O ferry terminal. The ferry was leaving at 8.25am so we waited until a bus came to drive us out to board the ferry. I don't think I will ever complain about our ferry prices. The bill was 60 pounds for two walk on tickets. I thought if these ferries are anything like ours, you should go get in the food line, which we fortunately dig. When the ferry docked we walked off like everyone else but pretty soon a bus came along and we were told in no uncertain terms that we should have waited for the bus. We found our way through town to the beach and walked for about 10 kilometers since we missed a wooden walk way somewhere that was in the guide book.
It was a beautiful day and there were many fisherman surf fishing. The tide was going out and the walking was good in the sand. We went inland along cliff paths to Cap Blanc ( cape white nose) white chalk cliffs, and later down to the beach for the last 5 kilometers into Wissant. There were literally hundreds of kite surfers out in the water. After much trying we located Chez Edwige that was recommended as having good food along with rooms.
The room was $46E for two including breakfast and we splurged on my favorite, escargots along with dinner. Anyone who doesn't take this beach route is missing a good day.

First day walking September 15

Oh my God, it was more like geo cashing for the last two hours or so.
We did really well leaving Canterbury today. The weather was perfect and we did okay with the map reading. Later on we ran into a few problems finding signs behind trees, enlisting the help of an odd cyclist who volunteered to go back to the intersection and check for us. No, there was no listening to the iPod, we were focused as to kissing gate locations and whether or not that was a pilgrim trail or a cow meandering trail. It gets real interesting walking on these b roads with no shoulder and the hedges up to the road. The cars come roaring around the corner until they see us and bear away at the last minute.
When we finally located our hotel in Dover it became evident from the outside that I had made an error in judgement. The guide book mentioned that they were pilgrim friendly. When we registered he dropped the price ten pounds and we thought, how bad can it be. Well it was much worse than we thought. If it wasn't broken, it was dirty
or missing. The pizza stains are a little much but the sheets are clean. I took a picture of the doilies covering the bare light bulbs. We checked the window and it seems the best means of leaving in case of fire. Our legs are sore from the walk that was 32 kilometers but with the doubling back was probably closer to 40. Tomorrow is up 20kms on the beach from Calais to Wissant after we get the 8am ferry.Yes, we will be checking the room before we register. The guide book mentions that there can be rivers to cross depending on the tide. I don't think I will mention that to my partner until it becomes apparent and one can act shocked.

Canterbury Friday 14th

Needless to say we are a bit weary. Air Transat was great but we only got a few minutes sleep before we got into Gatwick just after 6am local time. Two trains later we dropped our packs in Kipps hostel,( 45$ incl breakfast private room)and down to the Cathedral. We got our passports stamped and witnessed the ringing of the bell of HMS Canterbury. The bell is rung every morning at 11am and prayers said for the fallen military of the UK. We received a pilgrims blessing from Frank Allen the Chaplin and he signed our passports with much fanfare and resolve. He also took Derek's name to have prayers said in the local churches. We did walk some of the route out of town so we can be a little more confident in the morning to get started.
Pasta dinner in the kitchen to bulk up for tomorrow.

Finally out the door

We left the house this morning at 5.30am for our 12 km walk to the ferry. About an hour into our walk just as the sun was rising a woman ran out into our path. Lo and behold it was Diane to wish us a Buen Camino, we're we surprised. It was good to have a hot coffee and muffin waiting for us at the ferry. Thanks Vera and John. Getting on the ferry we met Al and Karen from the Ridge who were making there way to Seattle via Vancouver with their suit cases. Thanks to them we got on the local bus at Brentwood for $1.65 each and got to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Since we don't pay for ferries during the week, we arrived at our hotel in Vancouver with outlay of $4.15 each for bus and Canada line fares.

Anxious pilgrims

One more day left before we leave to start our journey on the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome.
We have a goal this year of reaching as far into Switzerland before either our time runs out or we run into (deep)snow. We have to be back to Gatwick on October 24th to return home. We have received a lot of help from Gord and Ruth who walked in July this year as well as others on line in the yahoo group. We will be walking out the door tomorrow morning with our packs at 5.30am to walk 12 Kms to the Mill Bay ferry. Our friends Vera and John are to meet us there with coffee to see us off. We are dedicating our walk to our friend Derek Austin who will be undertaking radiation treatments while we are away.