White Cliffs but no Bluebirds

Larks with their unmistakable song rising over the grassy slopes and a solitary linnet, in the windswept bushes...but no bluebirds.

A quite glorious day for a walk along the clifftops at Dover.

I can just imagine the feelings of returning soldiers from the wars, as they caught their first glimpse of the glistening white cliffs, symbolizing their homeland. 

It is true to say that those cliffs can be seen clearly from France.

We were able to see the dark mass of land rising above a band of sea mist.

The sound and smell of the ferries regularly coming in and out, the distant tannoy system as they headed off, all adding to the atmosphere.

Dozens of walkers kitted out in many ways, young, old and in between, foreign visitors and children.

All making their way along the myriad tracks worn into the chalk.

Some areas slipping into the sea with chasms on either side....

.......looking at the old, now unused paths, was a bit of a toe curling experience and made me hang on to my Samsung more tightly as I took photos.

We made our way up the wide graveled path flanked by recently reinforced banks, dotted with a mauve creeping flower, which I still need to identify.

I was actually disappointed with the lack of wild flowers, having expected to see clumps of cowslips on the chalky soil, but it was mostly self-seeded kale and ground elder.

The views and vistas more than made up for it.

Facts and figures are carved into the fence.....such as

 "The Channel is the busiest shipping lane in the world."

It was two miles to the lighthouse with a picnic lunch on the way.

At the lighthouse they were serving looseleaf tea in china cups with a selection of scrummy cakes.

We resisted the latter and sat at picnic tables to savour the view with our tea.

On our way back, the slight breeze was behind us.

We flaked out on a green sward for a rest before the final steps.

In the extensive car park......a tantalising glimpse into a huge marquee, full of volunteers, sorting and pricing plants for a sale over the weekend.

How I would have loved to find a few gems amongst that lot.

The proceeds will go to help maintain the White Cliffs.