Much cooler today and somewhat overcast. We made swift progress on gravel tracks and quiet country lanes to arrive in Canterbury for about 10 am.

We went straight to the Cathedral to purchase our Via Francigena “passport” (£5). This entitles “pilgrims” to discounts along the way. Including free entry to Canterbury Cathedral!

We had our photos taken in front of the door of St James who was a pilgrim and whose logo is a scallop shell. Apparently this is what pilgrims do 🤷🏻‍♂️.

We visited St Anselm’s Chapel in the cathedral. He was archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. He came from Aosta where there are a number of cultural references to him. The chapel has a new altar 2006 made from marble from Aosta and given by the Valle d’Aosta Regional Government. We also spotted his carved statue on the south west entry porch.

We then took a photo of the “official” start of the Via Francigena route (Canterbury to Rome via Aosta). It’s a small stone. It’s no good for posing for photos as the larger sign to the toilets is right on top of it 😂.

We enjoyed other parts of the cathedral. The crypt has an exhibition of some of their relics. Some nearly 1,000 year old embroidered slippers and stockings from an archbishop. In such good condition. And the Black Prince’s funeral outfit.

We bought a picnic lunch and set off along the Pilgrim’s Way. After a few km it became apparent that Anna had a puncture. We pumped the back tyre up but it went down again. So we stopped in the shade for lunch and replaced the inner tube. The gears were not properly aligned after this so will need a fiddle at our hotel.

There was a “Road closed” sign on a key part of our route on the outskirts of Dover. Usually this means that cars can’t get through but pedestrians and cyclists can squeeze through. Not so with this one, so we back tracked and took a long detour. We were persuaded to follow a cycle route sign to Dover which was pointing in an unexpected direction. This took us through a housing estate and then into a large business park still under construction. The cycle signs stopped and so did the road. Abandoned on the outskirts of west Dover. So another long backtrack uphill to follow the proper diversion 🙄🙄.

We approached Dover on the top of the cliffs by Dover Castle. Steep downhill run into the centre and along the front to the ferry port.

There is a red line for cyclists through the port as we have different check-in facilities and safe routes. We got an earlier crossing and waited in our own boarding lane. Bikes go on and come off ferries first 👍🏻. So first on and first to the bar/café 👍🏻. Coming off at Calais, we had to follow a van which escorted us through the port and out onto the road system. It was a short ride to Calais town centre to our hotel in the old town. About 9pm Calais time.