The First 4 Days in Ely

Hello to all who are following:
Sorry it has been a few days but I was hoping I could upload pictures to this and so have been fussing with that and not writing. So if you want pictures, right now you have to go Facebook to see them until I figure something else out!

So let's see...we got here in Ely at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon...the flight was long and the Virgin Atlantic staff were not too friendly. They actually scolded my row at the exit for not watching the video on what happens in case of an emergency...then they quizzed us on what we would do if we started going down! We all passed the quiz without watching :)...sleeping was light, getting through customs was a breeze, and then the charter bus ride for 2 hours to Ely...glad I can sleep most anywhere!

The hotel is very quaint and old1 We had to lug our baggage about a block to the hotel, store our luggage for a few hours and then check in. The day we arrived was really warm so learning we had no air and no elevators was a bit much for most folks. But we put smiles on our faces and had cocktails, went to evensong at the Cathedral, and then dinner at the hotel. Then off to the local pub to watch the World Cup. Basically we were doing anything to stay awake so we could finally sleep. The hotel is really a old English Inn that has not been renovated in a very very long time...and on y floor we have an exposed pipe dripping into a bucket...do I smell mold???!!

Monday cooled down some...spent the day exploring this little village and taking pictures of places and interesting settings. Rehearsed and then sang, went to dinner and to the pub! Got to do some dancing in the pub but not enough for me!!!

Eating seems to be the main activity we do...I am now on a fast! LOL...(right now I have BBC Comedy on TV and it is cracking me up). So, Tuesday we spent really walking the Ely area, having a lunch in a pub, learning about the Cathedral and Ely. Ely used to be an island in the 6th century and in the 1600's they found a way to make channels and use the land for agriculture. Very interesting...also went to the Oliver Cromwell house, found a lovely country store, and great walking by the river. Then to the movies where the ads prior to the movie were hysterical and full of sexual overtones selling shampoo, milk, butter, alcohol...we the Americans were howling in laughter!!!

Today we went to Norwich, a city of about 150,000 with another beautiful Norman Cathedral that was saved from destruction during the 1600's. Our docent was an elderly Englishman with a great sense of humor. The a few of us walked to Mark and Spence (a grocery store) through this great outdoor market in search of Ginger Stem cookies which I still haven't found...maybe in London! Then we were looking for a place to eat lunch, couldn't find something, so I went into a hair salon and the wonderful stylist left his client, came outside and showed us were to go. We had this marvelous Spanish meal of tappas and Sangria. Then back to the bus for evensong rehearsal at 4 and service at 5:30. Then back to a different Indian restaurant for dinner...now I am done with food for awhile!:)

Tomorrow we are going to Cambridge to go Punting (something about a boat and a pole in a river). Should be interesting! I have looked for a dance studio but they all seem to be on holiday and there are no lessons or groups...ugh! So I am just practicing in my room and I hope that I remember how to do it  when I return!

I just love it here...the beauty of the landscape, the ancient buildings and my amazement at how the builders accomplished what they did in such difficulties...mind blowing! And the English gardens are so beautiful...I could live here!

Signing off for tonight...go see the pics cuz they are really fun!

Nite, nite!