Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Themes
  • Videos
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Themes
Videos
App & Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  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 350 feet over the strait where Blanchard and Jeffries made their crossing. The white chalk and gray-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

Château de Beynac overlooking the Dordogne Valley in FranceChâteau de Beynac overlooking the Dordogne Valley in France
Holiday lights on Cape Neddick Light in York, MaineHoliday lights on Cape Neddick Light in York, Maine
Château d'If in Marseille, FranceChâteau d'If in Marseille, France
The bell tower in Lake Reschen, South Tyrol, ItalyThe bell tower in Lake Reschen, South Tyrol, Italy
Great Point Light on Nantucket Island, MassachusettsGreat Point Light on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
Formentor Lighthouse at the tip of Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, SpainFormentor Lighthouse at the tip of Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, Spain
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington, for the formation of the modern US Coast GuardCape Disappointment Lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington, for the formation of the modern US Coast Guard
Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, Puerto RicoCastillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Today Bing

Jupiter and its moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

Jupiter and its moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

Jan 07, 2020
Snowy owl

Snowy owl

Jan 07, 2019
Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps

Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps

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

Coyote in Marymoor Park, Redmond, Washington

Jan 07, 2017
The Portuguese Cistern in El Jadida, Morocco

The Portuguese Cistern in El Jadida, Morocco

Jan 07, 2016
Lech, Austria

Lech, Austria

Jan 07, 2015

Related Tags

outdoor lighthouse sky water landscape cloud mountain nature castle shore ocean stone lake distance hillside day tower surrounded sea clouds
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
Download 1920x1080
  • © 2020 Peapix.com
  • Privacy
  • App
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.