Thursday 31 July 2014

Wells

It's lovely in this weather to walk around the garden in the early morning while the shadows are long and everything is quiet.


The lawn is starting to suffer from such a long drought. But look how the yew has grown - I'll make a decent topiary shape of it yet!

I see why garden photographers like to take their photos at the beginning or the end of a day, the contrasting light is so dramatic.
We had to go to Wells and I took my camera. I've photographed there before but I seem to recall it was a dull, damp day. Yesterday the city (although small, Wells is a city because it has a cathedral) was crowded with holiday makers. The shops have changed over the years, now they cater more for the tourist trade and eating places have replaced antique shops, fabric and book shops, all places that I used to enjoy.
They take their floral displays seriously in Wells,

a lovely balcony at the Swan Hotel, 
which has a fine view of the cathedral from the front door.
It was early in the day and the cathedral west front was still in shadow. It is a fantastic example of medieval sculpture.
On our recent holiday in Croatia I photographed buildings and examples of stone carving. There are many equally pleasing things here in Wells, so close to where we live.

This is my favourite street.
It has direct access to the cathedral up steps under this archway. The houses were built as accommodation for the Vicars' Choral so there will have been a great deal of popping back and forth.
With their tall chimneys they are rather charming,
sort of the same 
but different!




There is always a pleasing atmosphere in Wells, rain or shine.

14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Good. I'm sure you would enjoy having a wander around Wells.

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  2. Good morning Rosemary,
    I have to say that your garden is looking lovely, and agree that walking around in the early morning is one of the best times. We are staying in Wells during September, as we have tickets to see 'The Sixteen' perform there. A lovely city. Shame the antique shops are disappearing though. Have a good weekend.

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    1. The camera, and you, are very kind! The garden, seen in close-up, is looking very forlorn. So many flowers have given their all and packed up for the year and the autumn colour has arrived early and is struggling with the draught. (Our first rainfall in many weeks fell yesterday - hurray!)
      Wells in September. Now I'll have to look up 'the Sixteen' and see who the heck they are!

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  3. Yes it the architecture I photograph most when I am traveling. I am sorry to hear the small shops are closing...it is something we find here in the states as well. As a tourist, it is the local shops I crave, especially book and wool shops. Thanks for such lovely pictures! Bonnie

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    1. The problem with the small, individual shops is nationwide. I think you would enjoy Wells, Bonnie, in spite of an absence of book and wool shops! It has a lovely atmosphere.

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  4. A pitty about the small shops, I do enjoy a good antique shop. Enjoyed your photo tour very much.

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    1. Well I suppose no antique shop means no temptation!

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  5. Such a beautiful pictures of Wells, especially of the cathedral between the hanging baskets. I think it's a pity of the bookshops and the antique shops too. Visiting bookshops is one of our favourite things when going to England.

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    1. There is a lot of talk in England about the death of the high street as more and more people choose to make their purchases online. It is certainly increasingly hard to find individual, one-off shops as they are being squeezed out of existence by big companies. It's a great shame.

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  6. Thanks for sharing the photos of your garden and of your tour of Wells. It's lovely to be able to visit these places from my armchair! -Beth

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    1. The blog is certainly good for armchair travelling - I do quite a bit of that myself!

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  7. What a lovely city. Well, somebody should tell them, that lots of tourists prefer all those little shops ... I especially love fabric shops ... than eating places ;o).
    Your garden looks beautiful and yes, mornings and evenings are the best time to make beautiful photos.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Alex

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    1. There used to be an excellent fabric shop in the market square. I bought Viyella remnants there to make dresses for my daughters when they were small. There was a tiny but really well-stocked bookshop that sold must-buy books and a very good quality antique shop. I suppose that if they had made enough profit they would still be in business.

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