Friday, 20-10-23

 Morning, everyone.
I'm starting with an apology.  Yesterday evening, the internet connection kept crashing and it was taking so long to get my photos uploaded, in the end I gave up.  I got the food photos done and decided the evening wasn't long enough for the rest
So today's blog is words and later on today I will work on the photos for tomorrow's post.  Fortunately, my connections seems to be back to normal today.

We were so lucky with the weather.  It was drizzling a bit when we set off but we obviously moved out of the rain and Ely was dry and even sunny occasionally with just one downpour.

We started at the cathedral where we had a guided tour from a gentleman who looked and sounded worryingly like Gyles Brandreth.  Unfortunately, he wasn't as interested as Gyles although he did give us plenty of information about the history of the place.  It was quite stunning both inside and out.  Very Norman (big and bossy!!) but with such a sense of space and airiness.
The stained glass museum was absolutely fascinating.  After an introductory talk from a lady who, oddly, reminded me rather of Sue Perkins.  She certainly knew her onions as far as stained glass was concerned.  Then she took us round, going into more depth now and then.  It was good.

I had a little wander round that part of town (lovely buildings and lots of charity shops!) before having lunch in the Cathedral Almonry restaurant (delicious) and then heading back to the coach.  As I left the Almonry, it was obvious that there had been a very heavy shower of rain that I had been completely oblivious to!  Lucky me!

Here's what I had and it was delicious for such a simple lunch.

I had some nice chats to people on the coach.  One lady was, almost inevitably, a mum of a pupil from decades ago - I recognised her and we had a little chat.  Another lady, catching my name, asked me about a Christmas song I wrote, again, decades ago, for the kids at school which a local musician had mentioned (how on earth and why???) and wanted to use in something.  I said 'tell her I'm on Facebook!'  Interesting but probably nothing will come of it.
And another lady gave me contact info for another coach company that's doing a trip to Ely for the craft and gift fair which she says is always very good.  I'll look that up later today.

We then visited two village churches that feature Rosemary Rutherford inspired/designed stained glass but I will talk more about that when I have the photos.  Suffice it to say it was stunning.

Finally, on the way home, there's always a raffle.  A seat number is drawn and the prize is a £10 voucher towards another coach trip.  You know what's coming next, don't you.  Yes, I won it.  Very nice!

As we entered Chelmsford, the drizzle started again!

Again, apologies for no photos, but I have to be out for Slimming World group.  I'll definitely post them tomorrow (assuming the connection remains up and running).
In the meanwhile, have a lovely day, everyone.  I hope the weather hasn't been too bad for you.  xx