Eye of Ely

The first overcast morning so far - made a little more serve by the surrounding trees. Cool outside but waking to the  view of the river and the surrounds goes some way to compensate.

Had breakfast and then walked into Thetford. A sleepy small country town but when you scratched the surface it had my h going for it. The home of the philosopher and theorist behind the American War of Independence, Thomas Paine. A public lecture  was happening this morning. The Dad's Army Museum was of interest. 

Built with flint-stone - no larger stones in area

The building materials were mainly in small stone and brick because timber and large stone were not available in the area.

Within a couple of minutes of each other both Maddie and James phoned. Maddie was heading home in Melbourne and James was organising  to jump a train for Ely.

Drove to Ely to meet James. Spent the afternoon wandering this old town taking in the Ely Cathedral - the only medieval list building in the UK. (That's not completely correct but let's not spoil a good story!)

Ely Cathedral

... another view!

Late in the afternoon we drove through the Fens, visiting the village of Ramsay, the flower show and the ruined abbey gates.  Interesting to follow the system of waterways draining  the Fens from the 16th century.

Moved onto Peterborough where we settled for the night near the lake. Had a few drinks with James before retiring to bed.