The UK. THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER

        The White Cliffs of Dover are quite famous, symbolising the fist approach to Great Britian. From films, songs from the war, and being so amazingly visible as you approach this small, overcrowded land, it is hardly surprising. They are actually chalk cliffs, which stretch for mile, after mile, around the curve of the south coast of England. For those of you who don't know, and I am always staggered about how often I see mistakes on TV, or in films on this. England, is only part of Great Britain, or the United Kingdom (UK). The whole, consisting of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. To be precise, only Northern Ireland, not Southern Ireland are part of the the UK. The south being under independent rule. The historic reasons, being political, and mainly religious at the core. I must admit, Ireland's history is complicated, of long standing feuds, anger, and the fight for freedom from English rule.

        I realise, as I begin talking about Ireland, that this is a whole full, and vital story for another time. A fascinating, and bloody tale, of which my own ancestors must have been involved. My beloved grandmother, came from a  red headed Irish family. Her father, being nothing less than a little fiery headed leprechaun, come to life. She herself, had the most magnificent, wavy dark red, chestnut, hair. Their family name was Keilly, as you might suppose. I myself, like to think that some of my more artistic gifts come from those same Irish ancestors. They being renowned for their story telling abilities, as well as musical talent. That aspect inherited by my brother.

           For now though, back to the White Cliffs. They must always have been a formidable sight, as well as a barrier to invaders. To Hitler, in the last war, they became the symbol of defiance. The British are rather good at defiance. Not always a clever response, but they can be a belligerent race, and very determined. Illustrated, by how they spread so far around the globe. Good, then, at sticking two fingers up to the world. The sign showing the backs of the fingers, not the front, as in Winston Churchill's famous V for Victory sign.

           The story of the two fingered salute, ( showing the backs of fingers to the world) is an interesting one, and not unrelated to the cliffs. It comes from the past, when the bowmen of England were renowned for their skill, with long bow, and arrow. Before the days of guns, and bombs, when war had something of chivalry in it still. Although, no less bloody. The best of the English bowmen, the foot soldiers of whichever King held the throne, came, traditionally from Kent. The Kent Coast stretching down to the cliffs, and for a good stretch along towards the East of the land, past Dover. This county reaches right from the cliffs, up to london via the east coast. 

         When these bowmen held sway, then it was the law that every man must practice on the village green, every week. The yew bows, were not small, they were as tall as the men themselves, needing considerable power, and skill to pull, and shoot. Throughout those generations, it was common for the enemy, who feared, and resented these accurate, successful battalions, to take prisoners. When they did, the two fingers the bowman needed the most, the first, and second fingers of the right hand were removed. These are the fingers that hold the arrow steady on the string, for aiming, if you like. The hordes of bowmen, as they advanced, would, in defiance, hold up these two fingers, as they held them on the bow. It was an aggressive gesture, pretty much as used today, a 'f... you' kind  of response. See, we still have these two fingers, nothing will stop us dropping you where you stand. A formidable force, taking the opportunity to show nothing stops them. 

         Much as the message, the sight of the white cliffs would have delivered. Especially if, as a foreigner, you did not know the coves, and beaches where you could gain access to the land. Those chalk cliffs, are not as solid as they appear, being honeycombed with passages. Some naturally made by the ingress of water, filtering down, and along. Some either partially, or totally dug out deeper, and wider to provide easier access to men. It is still possible to see cave openings in many of the cliff sides. In the last war, whole communities lived, and worked in networks of these tunnels around Dover. Hiding, and holding troops, and vital communications to the war effort. As well as being used for protection during bombing raids. You can still visit, and walk through many of these today, some accessed from Dover Castle, high on the hill overlooking the harbour. Which today, is a bustling ferry port, running regular trips for vehicles, and passengers to the continent.

          Long before this, by some hundreds of years, were the smugglers. These enterprising sailors, both stored, and  ferried illegal goods through hidden tunnels, from beach to cliff top. The entrances hidden behind bushes, or rocks. All in an effort to avoid the customs men, and the taxes. Their spoils being mostly, alcohol, and tobacco from across the channel. Today, many of these tunnels still run under the towns, and villages. Easy to dig out, they have been traditionally used for storage, and cellars under many houses. One famous resident of Ramsgate, even lived in one, becoming a recluse, under a house which was actually, quite grand.

            With that, you see there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the White Cliffs of Dover. Both famous, and adaptable. Who knows what might be their use in the future.