Kent Snapped!

Breathtaking views of the Channel and the White Cliffs of Dover

The SIA Brat – In Kent

Ever since I got my iPhone 5s I fell in love with taking panoramic photographs. I like that it allows me to fully capture the vastness of the landscape. It helps me to capture the view as close to what my eyes can see.

Before technology allowed us to simply turn our body and capture a panoramic image in one smooth motion, photographers had to crop an image and amateurs like me had to snap multiple photographs and piece them all together.

But I shall ramble on about my panoramic fever in a separate post dedicated to it. Right now, let’s talk about this photograph I snapped in Kent.

After Singapore Day 2014, my friend and I stayed on on our own dime in London. But we didn’t just stay within the city centre, we took day trips and explored outside of London as well.

In 2011, I had gone on the Viator tour to Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Dover, but my friend had never been to these places before so I decided to accompany her on the tour.

It was awesome to get the chance to go a second time. It allowed me to get a better look at Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and the White Cliffs of Dover. But the highlight of this tour was a surprise stop at The Battle of Britain Memorial on the White Cliffs at Capel-le-Ferne.

Situated somewhere between Dover and Folkestone on the coast of Kent, the memorial site features replicas of a Hawker Hurricane, a Supermarine Spitfire and the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall.

As I understand from the tour guide with us that day, this memorial site is dedicated to Winston Churchill’s famous “Few” who fought in the skies overhead to keep Britain free from invasion from the Germans during the Second World War.

Back in 1940, it fell on the shoulders of just under 3000 men from the Royal Air Force Fighter Command to be at the forefront of British resistance. These brave men kinda remind me of the 300 Spartan men who courageously fought invading forces despite being greatly outnumbered.

It was fascinating to hear these stories while en route to the memorial site. But truth be told, as it was just a 15 minute pit stop at the site, I only had time to run towards the edge of the cliff to hurriedly snap photographs of the breathtaking views before me.

And ran I did. I mean look at that view! How could I not run towards it? I got as close to the edge as I possibly dared and stared out at the Channel. Trying my best to see if I could see a bit of France from where I stood.

One day I would love to revisit this site and take the time to honour the purpose of this memorial grounds. But for now, I shall look at this view and dream of the day I would return.

What do you think?
Have you visited The Battle of Britain Memorial before? What about the memorial affected you the most? What is your favourite memorial in the world? What other memorials should I include in my bucket list? Is there a better vantage point to view the Channel from? Let us know in the comments below.