Coastwalk

Folkestone → Dover

Distance: 7.2 miles
Ascent: 387 metres
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Island no more?
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It was hard to believe the weather forecast this morning, driving through the rain and mist along the M25. But by the time I reached Folkestone I'd passed through it all and managed a dry walk to Dover.

I must have sailed from these ports to France a dozen times or more. As a family we always preferred Dover, and looking at the rather run-down harbour at Folkestone you get the impression the rest of the country agreed. Halfway between the towns though, is the new challenger. The photo here shows the last entrance to the Channel Tunnel at the foot of Shakespeare Cliff.

This was another beautiful walk. It took a while to climb the cliffs east of Folkestone, but once at the top the path remained fairly level most of the way.

The cliff-top path here is littered with the souvenirs of war. At Capel a lone figure looks out to see from the Battle of Britain Memorial. Further along, a sound mirror provides a reminder of pre-radar technology. Everywhere, pillboxes and gun emplacements provide further reminders of our island's history.

And so I approached Dover, even the clear evidence of Eurotunnel's 'dry' link to France wasn't enough to convince me that we really are connected to the land on the horizon.