An Historical Trip to Ely (which has hills!!)

Sometimes I feel that all I want to do is float on a river, with the sun on my back just listening to the water faintly hit the shore or the side of a canal boat.  Just rise and fall with the ebb of the tide.  No cares or worries even for just a moment.

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my piece of artful photography of the glass, which is still glistening in the sunshine while the insurance company argues on who is going to pay (don't get me started on that one!).  However, onwards and upwards, my week was not going to be spoiled by the dark cloud that hangs over my house at the moment, my car was fixed so I was able to take the teenagers and Mumsy out again.

We had planned to visit Ely during the last holiday but snow was pending so we postponed that trip, however we were promised sunshine during the early part of the week so off we set.  I decided that we would go by train as I didn't want to tempt fate, so we had a leisurely train journey from Spalding to Ely through the very damp fens!

Ely is another Cathedral City.  I had read about it, seen photos, skirted past it while travelling around, but never actually been.  So we were all interested on what we would find.

So, are you ready again with your nice cup of tea and snack of your choice while we go on a little discovery tour?  Here we go then...

The Cathedral is built on a hill and has the nickname the Ship of the Fens.  From a distance it certainly looked impressive.

The resident donkey certainly was a happy soul.

Now, Mr and Miss Teenager having lived in Lincolnshire most of their lives, do not experience hills that often.  I was surprised at how excited they were when faced with this one, and promptly raced to the top to come rolling down.  So, one arm hurt and trousers muddied...we continued.

Along with the happy donkey there was a horse that was enjoying the low branches of this tree.  The whole time we were there she was busy having a back scratch, totally oblivious to the hilarity that was going on with two teenagers rolling down a hill!

On we went to Ely Cathedral.

The Cannon was given to the people of Ely by Queen Victoria in 1860.

The side of the Cathedral shows the magnitude of the place (however, not a patch on Peterborough Cathedral - but then again I am biased!).

Do you want to take a look inside?  As you are now aware, I am obsessed with doors!

Inside there was a business exhibition.  Now this made taking photos difficult due to the amount of bill boards advertising around the tombs etc and took away some of the magic of the place.  However, we persevered.  The ceiling was beautifully painted.

And the nave led you on to more beautiful structures.

The area below the octagon tower was very interesting with its different architectural styles.

And looking up at the octagon tower made me feel as though I was looking through a kaleidoscope.

A closer look at the ceiling within the tower...I could have stayed under this for hours!

Then through the screen towards the high altar.

The high altar was incredibly impressive.

And I fell in love with the candelabras next to it.  The ornate carvings, the glass work, and then the stonework behind.  Exquisite.

In amongst this area were all the tombs of the previous Bishops.  Incredibly ornate.

And the stained glass was so colourful and perfect.

Regimental flags adorned parts of the Cathedral.

Some along by the altar.

But time was ticking by and there was still so much to see around Ely.  So off went to Oliver Cromwell's House which is just across from the Cathedral.

We really enjoyed our time in here as there were people in period costume demonstrating how the Cromwell's would have lived.  But, not these two!!

There are only two remaining buildings that have survived that Oliver Cromwell lived in.  This one and Hampton Court.  Apparently some parts of this house date back to the 13th century.  Cromwell inherited the house along with the title Farmer of the Tithes which could be translated to local tax collector.

Here we have the kitchen with its hearth and fridge (which is the little room at the top of the picture).  Here they prepared all the food, a favourite of Mrs Cromwell was Eel Pie!  Oliver Cromwell's favourite was roast veal with oranges.

Here we have a welcoming room (?!) where a video is played before you go through the little door to the next part (they must have been very short in those days!).

And here he is in the study.

Now then, I took some photos in the bedroom, however the atmosphere was not particularly pleasant in that room and the photos I took showed orbs.  Perfectly acceptable if you don't believe in orbs and suchlike, but we were all individually shaken by that room.  Once we left we found out that others say that there is a presence of someone in the room and that the Ghost Tours actually visit the 'Haunted Bedroom'.  Cromwell died in 1658 but was exhumed and posthumously executed in 1661.

Anyway, on with the tour!

Like Kings Lynn (my previous post here), there are a number of various centuries represented in the architecture around the City.  I just love this little cottage which is called 'St Mary's' and is dated 1550 (about the age of my previous old thatched cottage home).

And then there are the grander style homes.

This is the Chantry.  Notice the flag flying half mast in respect of the announced death of Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Then, going through the streets heading down to the water front there are little streets such as this with its red post box (pillar box).

And just further down is this beautiful dinky little cottage with herring bone brick work and beams.  I love the neighbour's sash window too with its little cottages on the ledge.  

So now on to the river bank and...drum roll...my heart skipping like a little kid...CANAL BOATS!!!  As well as old doors, canal boats are my ultimate dream!!  

Mr and Miss Teenager are so bored by my love of them, but can you imagine just messing about by the water.  Time would be of no consequence, in fact time would be going backwards.

As we walked (rather a long way) along the river bank I couldn't stop smiling.

To me this life would be home.  No broken patio doors to contend with, no endless housework and drudgery.  Just a small cabin space to fill with functional and happy things.  AND THEN...there it was...my dream canal boat.  Exactly what I spend so much time thinking and dreaming about...

Isn't she beautiful?  The right colour, the right design, the right accessories.  One day my beauty, one day!

So, with time now seriously against us, we watched the funny looking Muscovy Ducks having a wash.

 And that elegant sleeping swan gave me one last look before we headed off.

Back to the station we went to wait for the train and a well deserved sit down and rest for half an hour.

So that is Ely now ticked and off the list of things to see.  Tomorrow (Friday) both me and Mumsy are off to Sandringham to the craft fair.  This is a regular thing we go to which is set within the grounds of Sandringham House.  It looks to be rainy but hey, this is crafts!!

Thank you all for your lovely comments and to my new lovely followers, welcome and thanks again!  Have a wonderful weekend with all your inspirational creations.

Take care.

This week I am sharing with:

Weekly Top Shot

Simple and Sweet Fridays
Show Off Friday
Sunny Simple Sunday
Memories by the Mile