Under amagnificent blue sky and radiant sun reluctantly we left Dover wishing to have more time to visit the Cliffs and the 12th century Castle, built on an Iron Age site at the top of the White Clifs.

On the way to the port the Publican Of the local Pub come out to say goodbye, nice man he was going to post a donation for the Danii Foundation.

We left on the 12:30 P&O boat and had a very pleasant trip across. Arrived in Calais part of the Cap Calaisis-Terre d’Opal, a group of 5 communities, it has 100,000 inhabitants. Located close to Belgium and England it is the main port of entrance.

Rich in history it has beautiful buildings dating from 1700s. The Town Hall is relatively new as it was built in 1911 it is an outstanding monument its architecture is Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Flemish and represents the Union of old Calais and Saint Pierre in the early 1900s.

Surrounded by magnificent gardens it has a style of its own. In the middle of these wonderful gardens is the statue of the “Les Bourgeois de Calais” which is one of the most famous Auguste Rodin’s masterpieces. It is made of bronze and was inaugurated in 1895.

Other amazing monuments are the “Watch Tower” that dates to the 13th century when it was part of the fortified defence of Calais, the grand theatre completed in 1906 has a majestic facade, built in Italian style Its major hall is well known for the excellent acoustics and it is selected by many to have important performances.

We stayed in Calais for two nights as we needed to complete all necessary administrative chores such as getting cards for phone and iPad both very difficult chores in France. The identification of individuals is very strict as part of fighting terrorist. We knew we would encounter many obstacles, but finally Richard, the marvellous Messieur Benoit Granciere and friend Nicolas got the telephone card working and accepted in La France what a chore!!.

Benoit was the owner of the Particulier Richelieu House were we stayed. Well it was time to say goodbye again to continue La Via Francigena route.