Wells

The trip was on the 28 April with other international students, origanized by Julian and Mary.

The main attraction of Wells, a town slightly south from Bristol is its magnificent cathedral that date back to the 10th century.

While the exterior of the building is dashing, it is the interior that is absolutely awe-inspiring.

In the Nave, as you slowly approach the scissor arches at heart of the cathedral, it feels like walking under the canopy of a white forest.

The ceiling is one of the features that most fascinates me in this building of much ecclesiastical importance.

The crucified Christ at the center of the scissor arches. The curve organic shape lends itself well to framing the statues and beckoning you to come.

This is the Lady Chapel. It reminded me somewhat of Elrond's council.

The star-like ceiling that topped the Lady Chapel.

And the tree-like columns around it.

The ceiling above the Quire, between the Nave and Lady Chapel

These fleet of stairs lead up to the Chapter House, another white room reminiscent of Minas Tirith. I really like these well-worn steps. You can see how the feet of the faithfuls must left their unmistakable mark in the uneven concave step surfaces. I also find the 90 degree turning towards the right special, in how smooth it almost look, like a gentle slope instead of steps from this angle.

More trees and octagonal stars in the ceiling. The lone column in the perfectly symmetrical room rises like a blossoming flower or a trumpet of praise.

Descending from the Chapter House, stood the second-oldest surviving clock in England on the north transept .It is a 24 hours medieval clock, showing even the phases of the moon. Comical jousting knights come out above the clock as it strikes every quarter. Here perhaps, is a good example where profundity meets simple humor, as life should be.

One of the unexpected attraction in the cathedral is their elusive celebrity cat, Luis (or Lois, or something that sounds like that, I didn't get the spelling). It must be quite a honor for the feline to be 'canonized', where souvenirs of it are sold in the cathedral shop among other memorabilia of the ancient structure. There seems to be an implied link between this Garfield and Puss in Boots.

The stone statues of the 4 evangelists stood beside the northern facade of the cathedral. As you should realized by now, I have a penchant for pictures of stone lions.

Above the lion was another clock connected to the mechanism of the interior one. I suppose men too easily forgets the gravity of time. One more reminder is always welcomed, especially when it is so beautifully adorned.

I am sure I will be visiting many more cathedral before the summer is over.