Thursday 20 February 2014

In Ely


I rather fancy a mooch around Ely today. We've been before to look at the Cathedral, but this time I want to look at the town which, just to clear things up, is pronounced Ee-lee not Eli. It may get its name from the eels which once formed the basis of its wealth - and the local diet!


Having arrived by train we can take a little short-cut down to the river which was once the life-blood of the city. Before the Fens were drained Ely was on an island, The Isle Of Ely, so everything had to come in by boat, including all the stone needed to build the Cathedral. Nowadays the riverside is a place for walking, relaxing and, of course, boating.


Some hardy souls still live on the river in houseboats and converted barges. The one photographed above is called "The Tipsy Gypsy" which might give a glimpse into their lifestyle. The castle which is painted on the boat is a very traditional theme for boat decoration. Nearly every working narrowboat was adorned with paintings of castles and roses; presumably symbols of settled existence that the skippers of these vessels could only dream about.


Nearby others who spend their lives on the river were swimming serenely by. But after our taste of the riverside it's time to venture up towards the town.


By the look of it someone has stayed too long in the local tea shoppe and their bike is now securely attached to the fence by vegetation.


As you might expect there are many substantial houses in the vicinity of the old dock area.


Now we're in some sort of time warp. Not only an ancient bicycle by the door but a fine Morris Minor parked outside. 


When I said "venture up towards town" I meant up. I told you it used to be an island raised up above the marshlands and in this case you can see the elevation. In other parts of the fens you need a very well-tuned eye to spot the differences. You will look for a long time for the hill at a place called Shippea Hill, for instance. But all these places whose names end with an "ee" sound, Thorney, Ramsey, Manea, Whittlesea, Eastrea etc. as well as Ely used to be islands above the surrounding undrained marshland. 


An old sign tells you that this clothing shop was opened in 1810. Well, it seems to have fallen on hard times recently and is now no more, but I was attracted to this wonderful peeling paint work.


This shop, near the market, seems to be thriving however, despite having little room for expansion!

I said we weren't going to have any pictures of the cathedral today. OK, just one then....



Take care.



21 comments:

  1. Hi John, great post. I absolutely love this series of photos. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  2. You are a great tour guide of this pretty town John, your photos do it proud and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at each and every one of them. Thank you so much!

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  3. Thank you for an interesting tour. Ely Cathedral is one of the many places I'd like to visit and the town looks equally worth a look.

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  4. I was delighted by your photos. So colorful, sharp and enjoyable. I examined all the parts of your highlighted architecture and was amazed at its fine craftsmanship. Your text descriptively rounded out the meaning of each photo. Thanks for taking me to this lovely little place in your country. -- barbara

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  5. When I read a post of this nature I find I'm compelled to learn a bit more about the geography of the Fens--there are number of land terms [fens, downs, moors] not used in the USA although we may have some similar ground. As always, you are a fine tour-guide.
    You can be as random or as specific as you like in your wanderings--the resulting photos and descriptions are equally interesting.

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  6. All the vertical ridges in the cathedral walls remind me of big cacti minus their prickles. The Morris Minor is such a friendly, comfortable looking car. It looks great next to the cherry red door. The white bike covered in vines certainly leaves one wondering...

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  7. We too arrived by train, a couple of times. I really and truly love the place, the welcome of the priest in the cathedral to all visitors was a first for us, the sadness of the beheaded carvings in the Lady Chapel, we did find two that Cromwell's mob had missed, the pork pies and cider and the little woollen goods shop . . .

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  8. There is so much to like about this town, especially if you have a camera in hand. I like how the Tipsy Gypsy used old boots as planters. The bike to the fence, the old Morris Minor scene, plus your low POV of the shot just above that, good job...great post John.

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  9. Wonderful photos, John. Very sharp. I can't believe they were taken with a point and shoot. Jim

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  10. The fine vintage bike and car photo is straight out of time! I love the time warp quality, that glance "up" into town is fantastic. Too bad the eels all went.

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  11. Another of your wonderful and educational posts. Love the top photo, and the one with the swan, and the peeling paint, and the castle, and . . .

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  12. a great into' photo, beautiful moody sky and reflections. A grand walk with lots of variety; thanks John for a little snapshot from the other side

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  13. Great shots, I wish I could take a walk around Ely myelf

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    1. Myself, rather! seems the "s" got away from me somehow.

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  14. A lovely walk around this quaint village with it's cobbled streets and colourful river-life. Beautiful captures John of a place I'd one-day like to visit.

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  15. A lovely tour round a place that has been on my 'must visit' list for sometime. You really do take some spectacular shots and combine this with a wonderful commentary! Nice one, John. Loved the Moggie (about 1968?) and the bike, by the way!

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  16. LOVE that first photo with that gorgeous reflection! Actually all of your photos here are delightful. Amazing that the town was once an island.

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  17. I enjoyed that trip from beginning to end John. Loved the old boot planters on the Tipsy Gypsy, bet they're a colourful 'crew' :) Also the shot of the Morris minor & bicycle is brilliant, some scenes never change! Let's face it you were never going to walk straight past the cathedral :)

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  18. What an amazing place! And I like that Morris Minor.

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  19. Hope that these places are not reverting to the wet lands they once were - unlike my home county. I have relatives who need a wet-suit and snorkel to get to the shops in Somerset!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  20. Great pictures and commentary. There are nice views from the train too.

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