Text and pics contributed by Christina
On a sunny Saturday morning, 11 IOG’ers met Glen at the Ipswich Railway Station to board the 09:58 train to Ely and its cathedral. Our train trip was part of the fun. We had a relaxing journey through scenic mid-Suffolk before emergence into the Fenland beyond Soham.
In Ely, Glen led us on a lovely walk of around 9 miles which started along the riverside of the Great Ouse with its numerous bobbing boats and its cafes and pubs which were buzzing with visitors enjoying the river views. We then proceeded around the outskirts of Ely and enjoyed a taste of the Fenland before making our way back to civilisation. A small group had left us after about six miles to enjoy some shopping whilst we others explored some more of Ely’s green outskirts before we too had some time to ourselves; some explored the Cathedral, and there was time to have an ice cream and some cake and tea at a nearby café.
I found Ely a green and very attractive town and definitely worth a visit because there are numerous things to explore beyond its cathedral: its monastic buildings, independent shops and a Craft, Food & Vintage Market, not to mention the Oliver Cromwell House which includes a Civil War Exhibition and Ely Museum.
A big ‘thank you’ to Glen for organising this great outing.