Storm in the Channel

Our first real day out since 21st March. We went to National Trust site at Langdon Cliff near Dover and walked to the monument commemorating the Dover Patrol the other side of St Margaret's Bay.

It was an absolutely splendid day, made special by so many things: being the first day out, the tremendous atmospheric conditions, all the natural things around us including yellow hammers, skylarks and the odd kestrel and first coffee and scone out. So very uplifting.

France was so clear across the Channel, the clearest I've ever seen it. A combination of the atmospheric conditions and I suspect the reduction in air pollution. The cliffs at Cap Gris Nez were clearly visible and as you can see from the extras, even the differences in fields show up.

Even better, while we were sitting on the seafront at St Margaret's Bay a Spitfire flew northwards along the coast, did a huge turn and came barrelling back towards Dover. I suspect the flight was partly in  tribute to Dame Vera Lynn whose funeral it was today. But also today is the 80th Anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain. How special to be on the White Cliffs of Dover, on this day, and experience a Spitfire flypast (which was repeated as we arrived back at Langdon Cliffs)

Choosing a shot for today's blip was almost impossible given the never ending changing vistas, so I've had to us up quite a few extras to include some other shots