Ely Gathering: Our eleven boats all collected at Ely for the last week in July. Some moored in the Cathedral Marina and others along the Town quay opposite. This was to be the final gathering of all the boats before our dispersal to home moorings.

The Cathedral: The highlights were the tours of the Cathedral arranged for us by Sallyann, the Stained Glass Museum and the Choral Evensong performed by a visiting choir from the USA.

Ely is one of the finest examples of Norman cathedral building in the UK. Although considerable renovations and rebuildings have occured these have for the most part been carried out in the original style. One major rebuilding was in the 1300s when the square tower over the crossing collapsed. This was replaced by Ely's most famous feature of an octagon tower and lantern.

Octagon Tower: The tour took us up the spiral stairs in the South Transept across the roof behind the Lady Chapel and into the roof space around the base of the lantern. This gave us views through the openable angel panels up to the high level glazing and down to the nave below.

Other Entertainments: Amongst the shops, pubs and other attractions of Ely we were recommended to the Drayman's Arms. A micro pub on the hill up from the river they carry a large stock of craft ales and ciders and had won three CAMRA awards in 2018 including Best Pub.

Fish and Chips: On the Sunday night thirty-six of us squeezed into The Red Herring for a celebratory 'last supper'. Good service and wine - a fitting conclusion to a great weekend together.