Fri May 8: Canterbury

Opposite the pub was once a large flour mill, long since burnt down. We walked across the sluice and alongside the old mill race on the crystal clear River Stour and into Canterbury centre.

Duck
Wonky building

Got a coffee, and then had a look round the cathedral.

Cathedral
Site of the murder of Thomas Becket, 1170
Up
In St Gabriel’s Chapel
Tomb of Edward the Black Prince, 1376
Black Prince’s gear
From the street
Above the gate

Then we had a look around the Beaney House museum, which housed an interesting assortment of paintings, taxidermy and miscellaneous items.

Lunch at the Foundry brewpub.

Brewpub

After lunch, because it was just round the corner, we went on a 45-minute punt tour on the River Stour. Our punter, Anthony, gave an informative and funny narrative as he punted.

In the punt

There were several very low bridges.

Medieval cat’s paw print in a brick
The pub where we’re staying, from the punt

Mayflies were hatching from the river. Sparrows, impersonating Flycatchers, were darting out from the banks to gobble them up.

A different punt
Mayfly