My English adventures. Shell Grotto in Margate: a mystery from time immemorial (UK) Margate England

Great Britain is fraught with many historical mysteries, and one of them is the Shell Grotto, which is located in the city of Margate in Kent. This underground corridor, more than twenty meters long, decorated with many shells, was discovered in 1835, and its origin has remained a mystery.

Plan of the Shell Grotto with mosaic diagrams

Almost all surface areas of the walls and ceiling of the Grotto are covered with mosaics, created entirely from shells of local origin. The total area of ​​the mosaic is 190 square meters; 4.6 million shells were used to create it. The shell grotto consists of an underground passage approximately 2.4 m high and 21 m long, ending in a rectangular room (altar chamber) approximately 5 by 6 m. A massive rotunda pillar is located approximately in the middle of the tunnel. Near the grotto there is a museum, a souvenir shop and a cafe.

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The purpose of the structure is unknown, and various theories of its construction vary within 3,000 years. Some assumptions connect the Grotto with the Templars, others with the ancient Phoenicians. The latter statement has recently found more and more adherents in pseudo-scientific circles, since some patterns laid out with shells evoke associations with Phoenician symbols. These speculations are fueled by the fact that the name of the Tenet peninsula, where Margaret is located, is currently believed to come from the name of the Phoenician goddess Tanit. Although many people believe that some parts of the panel are a crocodile, an owl or a turtle, the abstract nature of these images makes these suggestions highly subjective.

Due to the fact that scientific attempts to date the Grotto using radiocarbon dating have not been successful, the age of the structure is currently uncertain. Among other factors, analysis is hampered by soot that has covered the shells over time, as Victorian lamps were used to illuminate the site in the 1800s. Lamp lighting has caused the once colorful surfaces to blacken, which, moreover, are under constant exposure to water and moisture.

In addition, it was discovered that the grotto was rebuilt several times in the 19th century: a new arch was added, the so-called “altar,” and some panels and niches were removed and then restored. The original floor was also completely removed. During World War II, the eastern wall of the so-called "altar" chamber was destroyed by a bomb.

Every year, the mystery of the shell grotto increasingly warms the interest of tourists from all over the world who want to admire the creation of the hands of unknown masters. And there is something to see: thousands of multi-colored shells of sea inhabitants are skillfully laid out in the form of intricate patterns that leave no one indifferent, giving rise to an endless stream of associations and versions of origin in the head of every viewer.

Entrance to the attraction in 1867

Gift shop and cafe near the Shell Grotto

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Grotto

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City of Margate

Margate is a seaside town in Kent, England. The city's population is more than 40 thousand people, 97% of whom belong to the national category “White British”.

The history of the city is closely connected with the sea. For at least 250 years Margate has been one of Britain's leading seaside resorts. This is a favorite holiday destination for Londoners, who are attracted by the city's sandy beaches.

The majority of the city’s working population is employed in the service sector - retail trade, hotel business, medicine and social assistance, education, etc.

Attractions Margate

Dreamland Amusement Park and the Scenic Railway, the second railway built in the world. The park opened to the public in 1863. In 2004 it was announced that the park and railway, now owned by the local government, would be closed for reconstruction.

Royal Theater- the second oldest theater in Great Britain. The building was built in 1787, burned down in 1829 and was reconstructed in 1879.

The Margate Jazz Festival takes place every July in July.

Two-storey Tudor house XVI century on King Street

Somewhat non-standard. I was able not only to visit there while passing through, but also to look a little at the life of the British and be surprised at the difference in mentalities. In the summer, my husband and I found ourselves visiting his parents in a small town called Margate, located in Kent. This town stands on the banks of the English Channel and is surrounded by luxurious roses and other incredibly beautiful flowers. And the sea seems especially turquoise blue surrounded by white limestone cliffs.

The streets of the town are incredibly clean, and at almost every step there are notices that dogs need to be picked up after. Which is what all residents of Margate do without exception. All dog owners carry special cleaning bags.

I didn't get bored in Margate. Having gone out into town for breakfast, my husband and I were attacked by sea gulls, who in the blink of an eye destroyed our fish and chips, causing a real fight. And on leaving the cafe, we were doused with water from the window of a neighboring house. Compassionate townspeople suggested that we call the police. The sergeant who appeared a quarter of an hour later listened to us carefully, learned that we were not going to sue, and promised to take action against the hooligans. We just didn’t understand - to people or to birds.

After breakfast we headed to the sea, hoping to be in peace and quiet. But it turned out that in the morning hours on the embankment there was nowhere for an apple to fall! People were sunbathing while lying on the asphalt and many of them were eager to communicate with us. Having escaped from the sociable townspeople, we unexpectedly came to an impregnable ancient castle, rising on the top of a cliff, as befits a real impregnable citadel. Later we were surprised to learn that this castle was simply an imitation of an ancient one and that it housed an expensive hotel.

In the evening, people come out to the coast to look for crabs and other edible creatures under the stones on the shore. But there are so few crabs, and so many people wanting to eat them, that we found nothing except two completely tasteless-looking green shrimp.

My husband's parents struck me with some oddities, obviously characteristic of all Englishmen. The father-in-law brought only one small cod from sea fishing, explaining that he threw the rest, “unsuitable” fish, back into the sea. Apart from cod, all fish are unsuitable for residents of Foggy Albion. My husband's mother, having bought a new sideboard, chose to saw off its legs only because the rather tall vase with dried flowers could not fit on the sideboard!

We visited several neighboring towns. In Broadstairs we visited the Charles Dickens Museum, at the same time we went to a festival dedicated to the writer and saw enough of the residents of the town dressed up in 19th-century costumes. At the beach kiosks we were offered seafood delicacies, including sea snails, which are a typical food here. They seemed like rubber to me and I didn’t like them at all.

Ramsgate- a small port city, on the pier of which we saw countless snow-white yachts. There is an atmosphere of luxury and eternal celebration in the air here. In addition, judging by the memorial plaque, the great Van Gogh lived in one of the houses on the embankment.

In the next town on our route, Folkestone, we discovered a very unusual museum - a real Russian submarine. True, we were not able to get there - the museum was closed.

Returning home, we noticed a sign inviting those who wished to enjoy fresh strawberries from the garden and take fresh berries with them for a very reasonable fee. The baskets were given free of charge and no one counted how many strawberries you ate while in the garden beds. As a result, I probably ate strawberries for the rest of my life! And she brought with her a rather large basket.

I was very surprised that my fathers-in-law and their neighbors, living about three kilometers from strawberry paradise, did not have the slightest idea about it! The next day, in gratitude for the “discovery,” the neighbors presented me with another large basket of strawberries.

On the way back to London I had another adventure. I went to the toilet on an intercity bus and couldn’t find the flush anywhere. There was no pen or chain around, just a big red button with erased letters. I pressed the button. The light in the toilet went out and the bus stopped. Having got out of the toilet, I found the passengers and the driver having fun from the heart. It turned out that the button I pressed is an analogue of our “stop tap”!

The sun is the source of life on the planet. Its rays provide the necessary light and warmth. At the same time, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is destructive to all living things. To find a compromise between the beneficial and harmful properties of the Sun, meteorologists calculate the ultraviolet radiation index, which characterizes the degree of its danger.

What kind of UV radiation from the sun is there?

Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun has a wide range and is divided into three regions, two of which reach the Earth.

• UVA. Long-wave radiation range
  315–400 nm

  The rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric “barriers” and reach the Earth.

• UV-B. Medium wave range radiation
  280–315 nm

  The rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

• UV-C. Shortwave range radiation
  100–280 nm

  The most dangerous area. They are completely absorbed by stratospheric ozone without reaching the Earth.

The more ozone, clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, the less the harmful effects of the Sun. However, these life-saving factors have a high natural variability. The annual maximum of stratospheric ozone occurs in spring, and the minimum in autumn. Cloudiness is one of the most variable characteristics of weather. The carbon dioxide content also changes all the time.

At what UV index values ​​is there a danger?

The UV index provides an estimate of the amount of UV radiation from the Sun at the Earth's surface. UV index values ​​range from a safe 0 to an extreme 11+.

• 0–2 Low
• 3–5 Moderate
• 6–7 High
• 8–10 Very high
• 11+ Extreme

In mid-latitudes, the UV index approaches unsafe values ​​(6–7) only at the maximum height of the Sun above the horizon (occurs in late June - early July). At the equator, the UV index reaches 9...11+ points throughout the year.

What are the benefits of the sun?

In small doses, UV radiation from the Sun is simply necessary. The sun's rays synthesize melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D, which are necessary for our health, and prevent rickets.

Melanin creates a kind of protective barrier for skin cells from the harmful effects of the Sun. Because of it, our skin darkens and becomes more elastic.

The hormone of happiness serotonin affects our well-being: it improves mood and increases overall vitality.

Vitamin D strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and performs anti-rickets functions.

Why is the sun dangerous?

When sunbathing, it is important to understand that the line between the beneficial and harmful Sun is very thin. Excessive tanning always borders on a burn. Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells.

The body's defense system cannot cope with such aggressive influence. It lowers immunity, damages the retina, causes skin aging and can lead to cancer.

Ultraviolet light destroys the DNA chain

How the Sun affects people

Sensitivity to UV radiation depends on skin type. People of the European race are the most sensitive to the Sun - for them, protection is required already at index 3, and 6 is considered dangerous.

At the same time, for Indonesians and African Americans this threshold is 6 and 8, respectively.

Who is most influenced by the Sun?

People with fair hair
skin tone

People with many moles

Residents of mid-latitudes during a holiday in the south

Winter lovers
fishing

Skiers and climbers

People with a family history of skin cancer

In what weather is the sun more dangerous?

It is a common misconception that the sun is dangerous only in hot and clear weather. You can also get sunburned in cool, cloudy weather.

Cloudiness, no matter how dense it may be, does not reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to zero. In mid-latitudes, cloudiness significantly reduces the risk of getting sunburned, which cannot be said about traditional beach holiday destinations. For example, in the tropics, if in sunny weather you can get sunburned in 30 minutes, then in cloudy weather - in a couple of hours.

How to protect yourself from the sun

To protect yourself from harmful rays, follow simple rules:

Spend less time in the sun during midday hours

Wear light-colored clothing, including wide-brimmed hats

Use protective creams

Wear sunglasses

Stay in the shade more on the beach

Which sunscreen to choose

Sunscreens vary in their degree of sun protection and are labeled from 2 to 50+. The numbers indicate the proportion of solar radiation that overcomes the protection of the cream and reaches the skin.

For example, when applying a cream labeled 15, only 1/15 (or 7 %) of the ultraviolet rays will penetrate the protective film. In the case of cream 50, only 1/50, or 2 %, affects the skin.

Sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the body. However, it is important to understand that no cream can reflect 100% of ultraviolet radiation.

For everyday use, when the time spent under the Sun does not exceed half an hour, a cream with protection 15 is quite suitable. For tanning on the beach, it is better to take 30 or higher. However, for fair-skinned people it is recommended to use a cream labeled 50+.

How to Apply Sunscreen

The cream should be applied evenly to all exposed skin, including the face, ears and neck. If you plan to sunbathe for a long time, then the cream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and, additionally, before going to the beach.

Please check the cream instructions for the required volume for application.

How to Apply Sunscreen When Swimming

Sunscreen should be applied every time after swimming. Water washes away the protective film and, by reflecting the sun's rays, increases the dose of ultraviolet radiation received. Thus, when swimming, the risk of sunburn increases. However, due to the cooling effect, you may not feel the burn.

Excessive sweating and wiping with a towel are also reasons to re-protect the skin.

It should be remembered that on the beach, even under an umbrella, the shade does not provide complete protection. Sand, water and even grass reflect up to 20% of ultraviolet rays, increasing their impact on the skin.

How to protect your eyes

Sunlight reflected from water, snow or sand can cause painful burns to the retina. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses with a UV filter.

Danger for skiers and climbers

In the mountains, the atmospheric “filter” is thinner. For every 100 meters of height, the UV index increases by 5 %.

Snow reflects up to 85 % of ultraviolet rays. In addition, up to 80 % of the ultraviolet reflected by the snow cover is reflected again by clouds.

Thus, in the mountains the Sun is most dangerous. It is necessary to protect your face, lower chin and ears even in cloudy weather.

How to deal with sunburn if you get sunburned

Use a damp sponge to moisten the burn.

Apply anti-burn cream to the burned areas

If your temperature rises, consult your doctor; you may be advised to take an antipyretic

If the burn is severe (the skin swells and blisters greatly), seek medical attention

City:
Location:	Close to the city center, Westbrook area
School name:	Rutland School of English
Student age:
Operating dates:
Accommodation:	Host family
Possibility of living in a residence:	Yes (Guest House is a family mini-hotel with several rooms of 2* class), if necessary, it is possible to book a hotel of a higher level
Adult training opportunity:	Yes
Accommodations:	As a rule, double rooms. A family can have 1-2 or more students, depending on the size of the house and the capabilities of the owners. Families are usually within walking distance of the school
Nutrition:	Breakfast, dinner and box lunch
Center equipment:	The city school is small in size, has no sports equipment or its own territory (there is a small garden), the city infrastructure is used for the entertainment program (swimming pool, disco, cinema, bowling, etc.), where students are given paid tickets
Student level:	A1-C2 (Elementary to Advanced)
Number of people in the group:	10-15 people
Distinctive features of the center:	One of the oldest schools in Kent. Language courses for foreigners have been running here continuously since 1959.

Margate

Margate is a famous resort on the south coast of Great Britain, a medieval town (founded in 1264) in Kent, near Canterbury and just an hour and a half drive from central London. Among other things, it has an excellent sandy beach.

The school offers accommodation with a host family.
Family accommodation is usually in double rooms. One family can have 1-2 students or more, depending on the size of the house, the number of free rooms and the capabilities of the owners.
Families are located mostly within a 5-20 minute walk from the school (distance not guaranteed). If necessary, students purchase a bus pass. The cost of a travel ticket is about 12 pounds per week.

School building

Rutland School of English is a small city school. There is practically no sports equipment or private territory (there is a small garden); the city infrastructure is used for the entertainment program (swimming pool, disco, cinema, bowling, etc.), where students are given paid tickets.

The school provides an extensive entertainment program for students, which, along with sporting events, discos and films, also includes one full-day excursion per week (at least one trip to London is required), two half-days, daily afternoon activities, as well as one free day (usually Sunday) to book an additional full-day excursion directly on site. This can be either a repeat trip to London or to any other city at the request of the group.

A wide variety of full-day and half-day excursions allow students to visit many attractions. Excursions, combined with the active program offered by the school, will become a memorable event for students and will allow them to spend their time interestingly and usefully.

Street panorama. Cecil Square

Street panorama

Local entertainment center

Embankment

Embankment

Location on the map

Rutland School of English,
78 Canterbury Road, Westbrook, Margate, Kent
CT9 5DF
United Kingdom

Approximate stay program for 4 weeks

It is possible to order additional excursions not included in the program

Price group studying in the UK for 2019

		Payment before 01.12.2019 Discount 25,000 rub. from the full cost of 2 week programs		Payment before 01/01/2020 Discount 20,000 rub. from the full cost of 2 week programs		Payment before 02/01/2020 Discount 15,000 rub. from the full cost of 2 week programs		Payment before 03/01/2020 Discount 10,000 rub. from the full cost of 2 week programs		Payment before 04/01/2020 Discount 5,000 rub. from the full cost of 2 week programs		Payment before 05/01/2020 Full price, no discounts. It's better to pay in the fall!
		Family	Residence	Family	Residence	Family	Residence	Family	Residence	Family	Residence	Family	Residence
1 week	Non-cash f.l.	76 191	87 091	81 641	92 541	87 091	97 991	92 541	103 441	97 991	108 891	103 441	114 341
	Non-cash legal entity	74 094	84 694	79 394	89 994	84 694	95 294	89 994	100 594	95 294	105 894	100 594	111 194
	Cash (additional discount!)	69 900	79 900	74 900	84 900	79 900	89 900	84 900	94 900	89 900	99 900	94 900	104 900
2 weeks	Non-cash f.l.	130 691	179 741	136 141	185 191	141 591	190 641	147 041	196 091	152 491	201 541	157 941	206 991
	Non-cash legal entity	127 094	174 794	132 394	180 094	137 694	185 394	142 994	190 694	148 294	195 994	153 594	201 294
	Cash (additional discount!)	119 900	164 900	124 900	169 900	129 900	174 900	134 900	179 900	139 900	184 900	144 900	189 900

If the ruble falls relative to other currencies, prices may be changed at any time. After the conclusion of the contract and full payment, they do not change under any circumstances.

Additional charges:

• Air ticket (purchased separately)
• Non-departure insurance (mandatory – 5500 RUR)
• Visa – 13,000 rubles. when filing in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, 19,000 rubles. – when submitting in Rostov-on-Don

Group 5+1, 10+2, 15+3, 20+4, 25+5, 30+6 – managers free of charge

To any city on the program in the UK you can add accommodation in London or Edinburgh in a 3* hotel with breakfast:

3 days/2 nights in London or Edinburgh – 19,900 rubles.
Included: meet-and-greet, accommodation, meals

The number of nights may be increased. Estimated cost: 120 USD/night.

Excursion services can be added upon request.

Any other additions to the program are possible at your request.
Their cost will be calculated individually according to your request.