Photo: Dover Castle
Feb 7, 1979 My bike was fully loaded down as I made my way out of London and headed southwest toward Dover on the coast. I had little trouble following roads and on the way to Kemsing I saw crumbling Eynsdale Castle. I was not able to stay at the Kemsing hostel because I did not have a reservation. The local librarian helped me find a bed and breakfast accommodation in the private home of the Biesgel of Seal.
Also renting a room in the Biesgel house was David, an accountant, who had just received his company car. Besides this type of compensatory perk, Britons also got 4 weeks of annual vacation.
Feb 8, 1979 Before I set out I was served a large British breakfast which alone was probably worth the $7.00 accommodation fee. I rode the rest of the way to Dover on the coast. The total distance from London to Dover was about 90 miles and my rear end was sore. The hills, though not steep, I found difficult. This was primarily due to the 60 lbs of gear on the sides of my bike.
I found the Dover youth hostel at 5:30 PM. The manager recommended a local grill noted for its seafood, but I found the fish and chips dinner to be greasy and poor tasting.
Photo: Man Trap at Dover Folk Museum
Feb 9, 1979 Among the sights of Dover were the local Folk Museum and Dover Castle. The castle appeared to be in very good condition, but little of it was open to the public. That evening I had a couple of beers with some American students attending Cambridge University.
Feb 10, 1979 In the morning I went to the east ferry dock and bought a ferry ticket to Calais, France. Before leaving, I had an argument with British customs. I should have gotten back tax on my bike since I was exporting it. But they told me that since I could return and resell the bike in England that the tax refund could not be allowed. Though they could not produce a regulation supporting their position, I was not able to get a refund.
Map of Southeast England
