Nav Lights & Museum Marvels

Nav Lights, Museum Marvels, and a Brush with Dover Fame (Almost!)

Today was a curious blend of practicalities and poignant reflection. While the emotional weight of yesterday lingered, the ever-present demands of boat life and the ticking clock of the tides kept us moving forward. The morning was dedicated to essential admin and, crucially, boat maintenance. Our recalcitrant navigation lights were top priority. Arriving in Dover under the cloak of dusk had been a stark reminder that these small but vital pieces of equipment are non-negotiable for our safety. Thankfully, Nick, now convinced of his newfound electrical prowess, traced the issue to a loose connection and a blown bulb. A bit of rewiring, a clean-up, and a fresh bulb later, we were illuminated once more!

Tracey, meanwhile, decided to indulge in the shower facilities at Dover Marina. These were a pleasant surprise – modern, clean, and boasting the unexpected bonus of free hairdryers in the ladies' room! However, a slight heart-stopping moment occurred when the motion-sensor lights decided to take an unscheduled break mid-shower. For those acquainted with Tracey's mild (okay, perhaps slightly more than mild) fear of the dark, this was a potentially traumatic experience. Thankfully, it was daytime, and a sliver of natural light filtered into the building, preventing a full-blown, ghostly streaking incident across the marina! Later, while paying for our extended stay, Tracey recounted her illuminating experience to the marina staff, painting a vivid picture of a potential nighttime dash that would have undoubtedly caused quite a stir.

During a solo stroll with Pepper while Nick wrestled with paperwork back on board, Tracey had a rather unexpected brush with local fame. A reporter from the local news approached her, keen to get her thoughts on the area with the upcoming council elections looming. Tracey was rather glad she'd made the effort with her hair that morning! Alas, her moment in the spotlight was swiftly extinguished by the fact that she was merely a visitor and therefore unable to offer any insightful commentary. Dover, it turns out, is undergoing a significant regeneration project with ambitious plans stretching to 2050. The Dover Harbour Board owns those prominent white buildings along the waterfront, currently housing not only the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club but also a hotel/wedding venue and numerous bars. The long-term vision involves reclaiming these buildings for luxury apartments and further expanding the port to accommodate increased ferry traffic and trade – the very reason for the yacht club's impending move. This transformation will undoubtedly add another layer to Dover's already rich history, welcomed by some and viewed with a degree of nostalgia by others, as is often the case with such significant changes.

In the afternoon, we decided to immerse ourselves in that rich history with a visit to the Dover Museum. The star attraction, and for good reason, is the remarkably preserved Bronze Age boat discovered in Dover in 1992. Thought to be around 3,500 years old, this prehistoric vessel was unearthed by construction workers during the building of the A20 road link between Folkestone and Dover. An internationally significant archaeological find, it underwent seven years of meticulous research and conservation before taking pride of place in the museum. While the boat is undeniably the largest exhibit, the museum's impressive collection of other artifacts did not disappoint, offering a fascinating journey through Dover's past, from Saxon and Roman times to World War II, with insightful displays charting the evolution of the harbour over the centuries. We spent a captivating few hours exploring its treasures.

Later that evening, we turned our attention to tomorrow's plans for our departure from Dover and our passage to Ramsgate. With the route now more clearly visualised in her mind, Tracey felt a renewed sense of confidence. The anticipation for our next leg was building, tempered by the knowledge that we were slowly but surely finding our rhythm in this extraordinary life afloat.Read more