[Forgot to do this at the time, so relying on the itinerary and my faulty memory]
Day trip to Peterborough. Whee. Shopping, not much else. Tried to get my cell phone unlocked, but nobody could do it…suggested I try in Cambridge or London. Took the early bus back to the hotel and napped. Back to Ely for evensong in the main sanctuary, then return to hotel. Several of us take a taxi into town to a Chinese buffet, which was pretty decent, if expensive (most places are compared to Houston), but found out I like Lambrusca. Also found out that Tuesday night is gay night in Peterborough.
Month: August 2004
[Forgot to do this at the time, so relying on the itinerary and my faulty memory]
We head out early for Ely, getting a nice gawk around the Cathedral before we rehearse a bit. Stroll up and down the high street looking for a shot glass for one of Camille’s coworkers, then have a nice lunch in a shop set in the cathedral wall. Go to the Ely Gaol Museum, watching a fascinating video about eel-catching (really!) and see some pictures of the local group that did G&S in the 20’s. Stop by a bookstore and find David a birthday present (heheheh), then back to the cathedral for rehearsal and evensong in the Lady Chapel. The Lady Chapel has a marvelous acoustic, better even that the charter house at Yorkminster, but it has the most hideous statue of Mary I have ever seen: a large, buxom Asiatic-looking woman wearing a bright blue robe holding her arms as if someone has just scored a touchdown. Bus to Peterborough, where we’re staying (Holiday Inn) while singing at Ely (Why??? It is miles from Ely, and nothing to do at night, since we’re not even in Peterborough proper…maybe no place near Ely was big enough to hold us.) Dinner a disappointment after the great food in Chelmsford.
[Forgot to do this at the time, so relying on the itinerary and my faulty memory]
In the AM we sing the choral eucharist at the Cathedral, then a bunch of us head out for some Indian food. Evensong rehearsal then evensong in the afternoon, followed by dinner at the hotel. Don’t remember much else happening this day…sorry.
[Forgot to do this at the time, so relying on the itinerary and my faulty memory]
Free morning spent wandering around, looking at the various and sundry places. Rehearse for concert, then have the concert (poor Paige took ill and Laurie had to sub on the duet with Camille). Tried to have dinner at the crowded fish and chips place I had found previously, but the gang wanted sit down, not take away, so we eneded up at a place on the hight street with another group from Palmer, taking up every outside chair and then some. We were so large that they had to fetch more fish from another shop down the street. After dinner I wandered around looking for some playing cards (none at Tesco, but did find two books, Terry Pratchett’s ‘A Hatful of Sky’ and another one whose name I forget at the moment), but did finally find some a a little shop by the university. Teach Camille, Paige, and Jeff how to play Durak, which (after having some fabulous dessert at the hotel) we play outside for a few hours before it gets too windy. Jeff, hopped up on sugar, gives us a lovely new song.
[Forgot to do this at the time, so relying on the itinerary and my faulty memory]
unevenrtful flight, except for the fact that I actually got several hours of sleep, which I almost never manage going east because I’m so excited. Arrived at Gatwick spot on time, then boarded the bus to head northeast. We stopped at Penshurst Place, the home of Sir Philip Sidney (whom I know of primarily through the Monty Python sketch); lovely gardens and home. We arrive in Chelmsford around 3 and have a rehearsal at the Cathedral, Britain’s newest (1914) and smallest. Head to the hotel (Atlantic Hotel), and proceed to have one of the best meals of the trip! From the ginger soup to the beef medallions to the chocolate tart, everything is first rate…who’d of thunk it at a Best Western? And am able (sometimes) to get wireless access in my room from the University down the road.