Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Canada
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. Canada
  3. 2021
  4. January 07
  5. White Cliffs of Dover, England
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios White Cliffs of Dover, England

January 07, 2021

White Cliffs of Dover, England

© LisaValder/Getty Image

Of balloons and lost pantaloons

We all fly by the seat of our pants now and then, but how about flying with no pants at all? That was the plight of Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries, who on January 7, 1785, made history over these chalk cliffs with the first aerial crossing of the English Channel. When their hydrogen-filled balloon dropped altitude due to overloading, the two tossed all the cargo they could into the drink below, britches included. Reaching France in their underpants, the undoubtedly chilly pilots still received a warm welcome.

Known worldwide as an emblem of England, the White Cliffs of Dover rise 106 metres over the strait where Blanchard and Jeffries made their crossing. The white chalk and grey-black streaks of flint match geologically with shorter cliffs on the French side—evidence of a land bridge that existed long before we primates got the notion to fly. Of course, even soaring over the waves is a bit outmoded now that you can zip under them in the Channel Tunnel, which has its entrance just down the coast.

outdoor sky water lighthouse cloud landscape ocean cliff stone shore day

Related Images

Jiaxiu Tower under a full moon, Guiyang, Guizhou province, ChinaJiaxiu Tower under a full moon, Guiyang, Guizhou province, China
Container ship near a commercial port in ThailandContainer ship near a commercial port in Thailand
Venice Beach Skatepark at sunset, Los Angeles, CaliforniaVenice Beach Skatepark at sunset, Los Angeles, California
The light installation 'Global Rainbow' by artist Yvette MatternThe light installation 'Global Rainbow' by artist Yvette Mattern
Southern white rhinoceros males, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South AfricaSouthern white rhinoceros males, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Roman-inspired aqueduct, Arkadia Park, PolandRoman-inspired aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Splügen Pass, Graubunden, SwitzerlandSplügen Pass, Graubunden, Switzerland
Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, PortugalMilky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Portugal

Today on Bing

Wool and mohair yarn

Wool and mohair yarn

Jan 07, 2023
Nazaré Lighthouse atop Forte de São, Nazaré, Portugal

Nazaré Lighthouse atop Forte de São, Nazaré, Portugal

Jan 07, 2022
Moons of Jupiter—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

Moons of Jupiter—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

Jan 07, 2020
Snowy owl

Snowy owl

Jan 07, 2019
Stelvio Pass in the Ortler Alps, Italy

Stelvio Pass in the Ortler Alps, Italy

Jan 07, 2018
Coyote in Marymoor Park, Redmond, Washington

Coyote in Marymoor Park, Redmond, Washington

Jan 07, 2017

Related Tags

sky outdoor lake water night landscape ship tree park cloud outdoor object grass nature moon city watercraft boat sea vehicle ocean
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
Download 4K Ultra HD
Download 1920x1080
  • © 2023 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.