Ely and Cambridge

Neither of us had visited Cambridge previously so we decided to spend a few days here en-route to the continent. We had read about Ely cathedral so this was our first point of call viewed from the adjoining gardens.

The octagonal tower is quite unusual so a closer inspection was required.

Upon entering the cathedral the floor starts with a maze. If you were to follow the maze (which I couldn’t as all these visitors kept blocking my path and giving me strange looks) its length is same as the roof.

You are allowed to climb the tower with the help of a guide. Part way up requires crossing an open roof with spectacular views of the surrounding country side as well as a pretty good view of the tower.

The tower is made from oak and the main uprights are huge weighing at almost 17 Tons each. They would have taken some 250 years to grow and as the tower is 700 years old they are coming up to their millennium. Given the tower in total weighs some 400T - I decided to take this photo slightly from the side. From the floor you can just make out that the inside of the tower is decorated with painted angels.

However, when you are in the tower and level with the angels you can see that not all are painted.

Our next day trip was to Cambridge. As we started meandering the streets we caught site of an arch into the first court of Christ’s College. There are over 30 colleges in Cambridge. They offer accommodation, libraries and many have chapels to look after the students pastoral welfare. All are immaculate.

The decoration over the passage to the second court was pristine.

While the gardener must have cut grass most summer days to maintain these lawns at their prescribed height. (No ride ons here!).

Of course going to Cambridge meant having a punt. Helen opted not to gamble on me handling the pole so we went with a professional. Here one sees the “back side of the colleges”. There are numerous bridges including one based on the Venetian Bridge of Sighs (the first of the two bridges in this shot).

Other bridges are less substantial but still attractive.

The largest chapel belongs to Kings. It is as large as the average church. Alongside is one of the accommodation blocks.

Even from across the river it is an imposing site, although the cows weren't impressed.

There is so much to photograph and see that one day and half a blog can never do the city justice. This laneway with its wonderfully regimented chimneys

Was quite a contrast to the grasshopper clock which was recently opened by John Hawkins and is opposite the above laneway.

And I confess that I do not begrudge the banks making a profit if they spend it on building and maintaining a piece of architecture as magnificent as the Lloyds Cambridge branch. Queuing is a pleasure as it give time to take in the gloriously tiled walls and glass roof.

With our continental adventure beckoning we headed off for an overnight stop at Harwich (a very basic site) prior to boarding the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry.