Day 52: Brandon to Ely

Well, the weather finally broke last night and it rained; so we set off this morning in our wet weather gear. However, we were soon too warm: so off it came again and despite one shower, we were rain free. Fortunately the shower fell around lunch time, and there not being a pub in sight (that doesn't happen too often) we found a handy shelter at a country railway station and had our lunch in the dry. By the time we were ready to move on the rain had stopped and we were good to go. But I deviate from the narrative. Again we were staying on the edge of town and so we were off into the countryside very soon.

We reached the Hereward Way just outside Brandon and followed it for most of the day. For a large part of the time we walked through the Fens and enjoyed both the scenery and the water birds including the ubiquitous swans...

and the lovely sedge.

A view of an old house through the sedge.

I find the. Wetlands both haunting and beautiful.

And those swans.... well they are so photogenic.

After lunch we followed the path through the rural landscape until we reached Prickwillow (yes that is its name) which is just short of Ely our destination for today. Prickwillow, or the main part of it, and our onward path, lie just over a river. This normally is not a problem, however this bridge, or at least the road over it, were closed for repair. And they really meant business... Large fence and all.

Intrepid walkers that we are we do not let such things stand in our way! After sizing up the situation: and following the suggestion from Keith that we climb along the side of the bridge past the fence (no way I was doing that) , I lifted one of the fence posts out of its socket, swung it opened and walked on through. However my smugness dissipated when I reached the fence on the other side and saw the sizeable lock and chain. Needs must and I grabbed the fence hoping to prize it apart enough to squeeze through.... Only to discover that the chain was only wrapped around the pole and not fastened at all! Having safely reached the other side we decided that a celebratory coffee was in order at the local Museum and tea rooms. As the lovely volunteer lady was making our coffee she said, wth a distinct twinkle in her eye "so, how did you get over the river then" I decided that she was to be trusted and said with an equal twinkle in my eye "over the bridge". "thought you might have" she said and smiled as she handed us our coffees. The rest of the walk was uneventful.