Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Some of you may know I am a Dover Greeter,where people can a request for a local person to show them around the area,for upto 4 hours at no charge.
Today I met Darla and Doug from Galvestone Texas who are staying at Mike Mcfarnells Amanda Guest House.They wanted to go up the Cliffs.
I met them at 1pm and walked down Pencester Road,through the Town and pointed out the Roman Painted House the Museum and told them about the Bronze age boat,and they loved our TV screen,then along the seafront which they loved too then climbed up the slope to the cliffs.
We stopped several times to admire the view and I told them what I knew,they were interested in the History of Dover and as Galvestone is a port about the Harbor(Harbour) we stopped for a coffee at the Visitors Centre at the Cliffs and sat down to admire the views.
After a few mins 3 elderly ladies came along and asked if they could join us,and after a few introductions they started telling the Visitors about the War,and how it was growing up at that time,one was from the east end of London the other 2 were from the Deal area,the Americans were fasinated and stories flowed ..and flowed...2 hours later we made our way down to find somewhere for them to eat,but first I wanted to show them a proper English Pub,so I took them into visit our Jeanette.
They were amazed at the White Horse and after sitting down Jeanette came and visited us and told them a little bit about the pub and its History and some of the swimmers details,then into the Town for something to eat,it was just after 5pm on a Sunday and there is little choise of eating places at that time,but I settled them in at Chaplin's and left them to it.They were very impressed with the sights and the History of Dover,tomorrow they will visit the Castle.When they go home what will they tell thier friends and relatives,that they loved Dover and if you go to England you must visit Dover....The Greeters is a simple idea and you don't need any qualifications if you want to help out,just a passion and an understanding of Dover.We don't hide anything we point out the good and the bad as we pass it,but they thought there was very little that wasn't in thier words 'brilliant' about our Town,and when they offered me money for showing them around I couldn't take it as Greeters show people around for upto 4 hours free,what a lovely day I had in Dover with 2 satisfied tourists.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
How charming and lovely!
Ah well done you John
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
great stuff john, they will go home with a great memory of our town, tour guides can never do the same job as an impassioned local.
hope you had richard digance locked away safely.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Always nice to get an opportunity to show visitors around - if I ever bump into some lost tourists on the Heights I always have some pictures to hand :)
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Great stuff John, I can appreciate the feeling you must have had. I`ve met American`s and English up the cliff`s and all it takes is to say good morning and you can have a pleasant conversation.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Well done John. As a matter of curiosity, were the Roman Painted House and Museum open?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
both open sundays in the summer sid. may i echo what paul and colin have said.
i love to point out to vistors the wonders of our town, i always stress that they are in a friendly place free from all the usual low lives that frequent many of the stop offs that they may have visited.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,701
Well done John - thats what we need people in their own way talking up the town and showing the positives
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,833
I am sure the Americans will go home with far better memories than they might have had of their visit to Dover thanks to you.
What luck meeting up with the ladies it can only have enhaced the day for all of you.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Well done indeed John.
I thought the greeters were there for advice and information; I didn't know they were tour-guides (albeit very good ones) as well.
Do you have to have public liability insurance, or because the guided walks are free, it's not required ?
Roger
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
That is an atmospheric post John, and lovely to read. How many greeters are there?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Yes Roger we have insurance,some of the Greeters are older so that gives us a problem if they want to visit the Cliffs or walk,so they ask me as a youngster!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
There should be a lot of Greeters, what an excellent service!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Nice one, John.
Sounds like the visitors had a fantastic time. Great stuff.