I did a little bit of backtracking today and went to a really sweet town called Wells. Its around 40 minutes drive south west of Bath (where Im staying the night again) and is home to a really amazing cathedral and Bishops palace. I decided to spend the 5 pounds on the cathedral rather than the palace and I think it was certainly worth it.

The site itself has been home to a cathedral for at least 1500 years although the current cathedral is only a mere 800 years old. Its great to be able to walk into a space that commands a presence like this - I felt instantly at home and in awe of the place. In contrast to St Pauls I think think this cathedral does the “Oh god you are so big …” in a much more down to earth manner. Its history is evident everywhere - with ex Bishops in their sarcophagus and other benefactors entomed underneath the cloistered hallways.  I think the best way to get a sense of place into a church is to bury their members under the floor - do you think it might catch on in Australia?

As always the stand out was the lady or Mary chapel. Its simply amazing how the Mary chapel in  each church or cathedral Ive ever visited outshines the rest of the building with its humility and intensity. THe St Francis Mary chapel in Melbourne is my favourite thus far - I think no body does it like the Catholics do it.

I finally downloaded some images from the iPhone to the laptop so take a look at the few I shot of the chapel. Ive been balancing using the iPhone with the camera and I think ill try to take more shots with it in the following days. Check out the other posts as well to see some of the images Ive uploaded. Actually none of the images of Wells are very good on the iPhone and I was expressly asked not to take photos without a permit … so this is kind of the best I could do under the circumstances and the existential guilt that I faced by taking it.

The Cathedral and Palace are on the edge of the town square. I know its pretty obvious but a good town square really anchors a place. There was such a good feeling in the place that I wanted to just to sit and chill but alas my parking time had run out.