Welcome to my Place

Hi everyone,

I hope you will enjoy my place and my photos, I am looking forward to visits from friends, old and new.

Please respect the copyright on my photos. Thank you.

Saturday 29 October 2011

Ely Cathedral–The Octagonal or Lantern Tower

IMG_0848

Looking up into the Lantern Tower from the centre of the Cathedral.

As promised in my last blog, this is all about the Octagonal or Lantern Tower of Ely Cathedral. The tower was built in  1322  to replace the original Norman Tower which collapsed. The construction of the Lantern is an amazing feat of Medieval architecture, and is constructed of wood, supported by 8 massive stone pillars.

IMG_0917

IMG_0952A

IMG_0960B

The tower is in the centre of the cathedral, to stand underneath this amazing construction is just awe inspiring. We had booked a tour of the tower when we first arrived at the Cathedral, and I have to say it was well worth the wait, I was just amazed….it does seem that I am being drawn to climbing up towers in Cathedrals and churches, I just love seeing what is behind the facade of these buildings. Last year St. Pauls (that was a real feat for me, over 500 steps up to the top, but wow it was worth the climb. Ely this time, Bath Abbey a few weeks ago, it is one way to keep fit LOL)

IMG_0979

On the roof of the Cathedral.

IMG_0981

Looking down on the Lady Chapel.

IMG_0988

Some of the gargoyles Smile

IMG_0983

We climbed up a spiral staircase and emerged outside, at roof level, the roof to the right of us, a metal barrier to the left, and oh the view! We had time to take some photos, then went through a tiny space and we were inside the Octagonal Tower, behind the angel paintings. From here we could see the construction of the tower, and although there has been a lot of restoration some of the original medieval beams are still in place!

IMG_0992

Inside the Lantern, these are not the Medieval timbers.

IMG_0996

Some of the timbers you can see under these are Medieval.

IMG_0995

The back of the painted Angel panels are on the left of this photo.

The angel panels are Victorian, they surround the interior of the lantern under the stained glass windows. Our guide opened the doors of a few of the angel panels, so we could see (and photo!) the beautifully decorated ceiling and look down to the floor of the Cathedral.

IMG_1005

The angels, with some of the doors open so we can look up and down!!

IMG_1002A

Looking up…..

IMG_1014

…and again….

IMG_1020

….up again….

IMG_1004

…and down…

IMG_1010

The centre of the Cathedral from the tower.

IMG_1022

The Choir and just visible, the High Altar.

We then went up a further staircase and emerged on the roof, above the angel paintings, level with the stained glass windows. As said before the lantern is constructed of wood, this is covered on the outside with lead cladding, and a parapet of stone surrounds the roof. I was amazed at what we were seeing, and so glad we had gone up there. It was also great getting up close with the gargoyles, to think they have been up there for hundreds of years, probably with very few people seeing them tells me of the pride of the builders of this wonderful building, and the skill of those medieval builders.

IMG_1033

On the roof..

IMG_1067

Close up to the tower.

IMG_1071A

Looking towards the West Tower

IMG_1074

IMG_1036

the stained glass windows which are above the Angel panels.

IMG_1037

IMG_1059

I love this one!

IMG_1084

IMG_1083

If any of you are ever in Cambridgeshire I can thoroughly recommend climbing the Octagonal Tower, you will be very pleased that you did. Now I want to visit Wells Cathedral and a few others…..

IMG_1024

The angel panels just because I love them!

IMG_1028

IMG_1029

Have a wonderful weekend, take care all of you x

IMG_1065A

 

Saturday 22 October 2011

Ely Cathedral – The Ship of The Fens

IMG_1113A

The Lantern Tower

IMG_0911A

Just one of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Cathedral.

I have wanted to visit Ely Cathedral for a very long time, and was thrilled when my husband took me up there in July. We left home early one morning and arrived in Ely about 11.30. The Cathedral appears across the Fens as you drive towards the city, looking exactly like a ship which is the reason for its nickname.

IMG_1114A

The front of the Cathedral.

A lovely place for a picnic on a sunny day.

IMG_0828

The main door into the building.

IMG_0943A

We drove into the first car park we came too because the navigator (me) missed the turning to the Park and Ride….imagine our surprise to find that, not only is Ely a tiny little city but the car parking is free, which made a good start to our day. We could see the Cathedral over the rooftops so we walked into the City Centre. Ely (Island of the Eels) has a very peaceful atmosphere, and because of its size bears no resemblance to any other city that I know.

IMG_0827

The sight that greets you as you enter the Cathedral.

IMG_0852

A side Chapel with wonderful flags many of them very old.

IMG_0853

I am standing under the Lantern Tower here looking back to the entrance.

IMG_0841

One of the side aisles – the roof was brightly painted at one stage.

A cup of coffee was the most important thing on the agenda, we found a lovely little cafe, which backed onto the Cathedral Green, so we could feast our eyes while satisfying our thirst!!

IMG_0836

IMG_0922A

You can just see the remains of the ceiling painting in this photo.

IMG_0899

Just breath taking!

IMG_0904A

Wonderful ceiling decoration.

The Cathedral is a wonderful building with two towers, the Octagon Tower and the  West Tower. Originally there was a Norman Central Tower which fell down in 1322 and was replaced by The Octagon Tower, which is an unique structure, and is awe inspiring to see.

IMG_0939A

The modern cross at the West end of the Cathedral, showing the irregular path that each of us takes through life.

IMG_0935A

Looking up, the South West transept, wonderful architecture.

IMG_0934A

IMG_0940

An amazing Norman archway.

We spent some time wandering around the Cathedral and booked the tour round the Octagon Tower for later in the day. The tours round the West Tower were going to be too late for us, so sadly we did not get to see that tower, but we were assured that the Octagon Tower was the best one to go round.

IMG_1088A

Looking through The Choir to the main Altar.

IMG_1097

The Altar.

IMG_1102

Looking back to the entrance from the Altar. You can just see where the Octagon Tower is at the top of this photo, more about that in the next blog.

IMG_0854

The pulpit.

IMG_0870

Looking down the South Choir Aisle towards the entrance.

As usual with my blogs I am going to let my photos so the talking, but I have decided to do two blogs on this amazing building, the next blog will show you the inside (and outside) of the Lantern Tower, as we go on a tour.

IMG_0862

The Lady Chapel, the largest Lady Chapel I have seen, and it is the largest one attached to any British cathedral.

IMG_0866

The doorway from the Lady Chapel, looking along the Processional Way which leads back into the main part of the Cathedral.

IMG_0873

beautifully enclosed spiral staicase.

IMG_0898

The organ in the Choir.

IMG_1098

By the Altar.

IMG_0927A

The carving above The Prior’s Door

IMG_0928A

And one of the two figures guarding the doorway.