Faith (and Grace and Gabriel! in PiP!!)

The gatehouse to the Bishops's Palace, Wells, Somerset on a lovely sunny day. This beautiful medieval palace has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Crossing the drawbridge across the moat you can see to your right a bell with a cord attached hanging from a window. The swans on the moat pull the cord, causing the bell to ring until they are fed.

Grace and Gabriel are the new swans brought in from a rescue centre and trained to ring the bell in time honoured tradition. Please see PiP.

I have added Faith's Song by Amy Wadge as a link

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gzZEtiusO4

Best viewed large I think. Thankyou

Bruno Suignard, Günter Klaus, Marije Aguillo, Makrofan and 66 other people have particularly liked this photo

85 comments - The latest ones

Steve Paxton ^club

I was always taken by the history of England and just what you have as a pallet so different to the rest of the world.. HFF and enjoy your weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Steve Paxton ^club

Thank you very muich Steve. I love the history of plaes and the old buildings and traditions. It seems the older I get the more interested I am in the past! HFF and have a good weekend

5 years ago.

Roger (Grisly) ^club

Like the shadows on the building and the lovely pip in this terrific capture!
Wish you HFF and a nice weekend

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Roger (Grisly) ^club

Thank you very much Roger. I am pleased you like it. HFF and have a good weekend

5 years ago.

Peter Castell ^club

A lovely setting for your fence Carol, I like the shadows of the tree on the brickwork, I hope you have a HFF and and a nice weekend

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Peter Castell ^club

Thank you very much Peter. The weather helped and I have not watched the swans ringing their 'dinner bell' in years. HFF and have a good weekend

5 years ago.

David G Johnson ^club

Brilliant !... a most quintessential and charming old English tradition.. I can imagine tourists going mad to capture a picture like yours here.. a great catch... // ''HFF'' Carol.. and have a fine weekend too... Cheers from ...> Dj.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club

Thank you very much for your lovely comments David. It was delightful watching the swans ringing their 'dinner' bell and the pigeons 'going in the back door' amused me. HFF and have a good weekend

5 years ago.

William Sutherland ^club

Awesome shot and PIP!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to William Sutherland ^club

Many thanks William. Have a good weekend

5 years ago.

Sarah P.

Trained swans! Who knew? :-)
Glad you had some nice weather to photograph such a romantic place.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Sarah P.

Many thanks Sarah. Yes - it was delightful watching the swans ringing the bell. So clever. Have a good weekend

5 years ago.

LotharW ^club

HFF Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to LotharW ^club

Many thanks Lothar. Have a good weekend

5 years ago.

Karen's Place ^club

It must be a joy to have such amazing places to photograph. You've really done this gatehouse proud. The light and shadows are amazing. And then the cherry on top is the swans. How adorable they are! This is a real treat on full screen.

The song is new to me. She has a really great voice.

HFF to you, Carol, and a nice weekend ahead! :)

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Karen's Place ^club

Many thanks Karen. Really appreciated. Originally known as Janet and John the swans were renamed after a public vote and given more appropriate names

I am pleased you enjoyed the Amy Wadge song. I love her voice. The song is from the 'Keeping Faith' tv series

Have a lovely weekend

5 years ago.

Karen's Place ^club has replied to Ecobird ^club

Oh yes, their new names do seem more fitting. :)

5 years ago.

Dida From Augsburg ^club

Beautiful place in a great light.

HFF, Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Dida From Augsburg ^club

Thank you very much Dida. It was nice to see some sunshine! Have a good week ahead

5 years ago.

Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Beautiful building and what a lovely PiP Carol.
HFF and a nice weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Thank you very much Jaap. Really appreciated. It is a really lovely place and seeing the swans ringing the bell for food made my day. Enjoy the rest of your week

5 years ago.

Herb Riddle ^club

That's a nice well lit tower Carol. Always good to see swans like this too. Well done.

HFF, have a great weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Herb Riddle ^club

Thank you very much Herb. The Bishop's Palace is quite beautiful and it was quite a treat to watch the swans ringing the bell. Have a good weeke ahead

5 years ago.

Gudrun ^club

The bell ringing swans are a lovely tradition and your photo with the tree shadows on the walls is wonderful! HFF, Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Gudrun ^club

Thank you very much Gudrun. It was lovely to see the sunshine and quite a bonus to catch the swans ringing the bell to be fed. Have a good week ahead

5 years ago.

tiabunna ^club

Lovely images and fascinating information, Carol. HFF and best wishes for the weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to tiabunna ^club

Thank you very much George. Havea good week ahead

5 years ago.

Roger (Grisly) ^club

Superb and interesting addition to the group,

Thank you posting your image,
www.ipernity.com/group/west.of.england

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Roger (Grisly) ^club

Many thanks Roger. Really appreciated

5 years ago.

Christa1004 ^club

The gatehouse alone looks like a castle. Grace and Gabriel seem to be very clever, I've never heard about trained swans... HFF Carol.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Christa1004 ^club

Thank you very much Christa. The Bishop's Palace is a beautiful building and it was lucky that we were there just when the swans were ringing the bell for their food! They are very clever birds! Have a lovely week ahead

5 years ago.

Annemarie ^club

most beautiful!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Annemarie ^club

Many thanks Annemarie. Really appreciated

5 years ago.

Loose_Grip/Pete ^club

The second picture of Wells I have seen today. I must visit, it looks beautiful. HFF.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Loose_Grip/Pete ^club

Thank you very much. That would be Roger's shot of Vicars Close I imagine. It is a beautiful place and well worth a visit. We reallly enjoyed it and it was a treat to see the swans ringing the bell to be fed.. It was also good to see the sun!

5 years ago.

Adele ^club

It's a wonderful image of such a beautiful ancient tower! I like the shadows on the brickwork , the light and the reflections too.
HFF and a happy weekend , Carol

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Adele ^club

Thank you very much Adele. The gatehouse and the moat are beautiful and then you walk across the drawbridge and see the wonderful Bishop's Palace, - it is really lovely and quite peaceful. Have a great week ahead

5 years ago.

Rosalyn Hilborne

I love this shot of the gate house Carol, and the shadow of the tree is beautiful. The PiP is superb! I haven't seen the swans on the last two or even three visits to Wells.
HFF and wish you a good weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Rosalyn Hilborne

Thank you very much Rosa. I believe they were without swans for a while after Brynn died and Wynn left with her cygnets. Grace and Gabriel seem to have settled in nicely though and it was a treat to see them ringing the bell. It put a smile on my face for ages afterwards. Have a lovely week ahead

5 years ago.

* ઇଓ * ^club

Beautiful pictures with an equally beautiful story and song, Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to * ઇଓ * ^club

Thank you very much. I am pleased you liked it. It is a beautiful place and the swans are a delight. Have a good week

5 years ago.

Rainer Blankermann

An impressive shot. I like the brickwork,
HFF and have a nice weekend, Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Rainer Blankermann

Thank you very much Rainer. Really appreciated. Have a good week

5 years ago.

Annalia S. ^club

Beautiful, Ecobird. I love the light, the shadows of the tree branches spiderwebbing on the walls and the wonderful green water! Grace and Gabriel are fantastic too!
HFF and a nice weekend to you.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Annalia S. ^club

Thank you very much Annalia. I am pleased you liked the images and the swans. It is a beautiful place. Have a good week.

5 years ago.

Jocelyne Villoing ^club

Très agréable avec ce soleil qui se joue des ombres !************
HFF Carol.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Jocelyne Villoing ^club

Thank you very much Jocelyne. Really appreciated. Have a lovely evening and good week

5 years ago.

Madeleine Defawes ^club

Superbe image !
HFF

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Madeleine Defawes ^club

Many thanks Madeleine. Really appreciated

5 years ago.

Peter_Private_Box ^club

Hi Carol

A very nice picture, which I really like (and PiP too - great story)

I can see that you and Roger have had a great day out in the March sunshine!!

Best Wishes, HFF, and a nice weekend
Peter

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Peter_Private_Box ^club

Thank you very much Peter. I am pleased you like it. Yes we had a good day out and took advantage of a rare day of lovely sunshine. Have a good week

5 years ago.

╰☆☆June☆☆╮ ^club

Good work.
◦•●◉✿ Have a great weekend✿◉●•◦

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to ╰☆☆June☆☆╮ ^club

Thank you very much June. Have a good week

5 years ago.

trester88 ^club

Wenn schon das Torhaus so beeindruckend ist, wie imposant muss dann erst das Schloss sein! Eine wunderschöne Aufnahme mit einem großartigen Schattenwurf!
HFF, Carol, und ein schönes Wochenende!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to trester88 ^club

Good evening and many thanks Wilhelm. Yes the Bishop's Palace is really beautiful and the setting is lovely and peaceful. Only a short distance from Wells Cathedral it is a lovely place to visit with lots to see and enjoy. Have a lovely evening

5 years ago.

Nicole Merdrignac ^club

HFF. Superbes photo avec notes. Nicole. Très bon weekend.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Nicole Merdrignac ^club

Thank you very much Nicole. Really appreciated. I am pleased you liked it. Have a lovely week

5 years ago.

Diana Australis ^club

HFF Carol. A stunning shot, and fascinating story about the bell ringing swans. Made a smile for my morning!
Have a wonderfully interesting weekend

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Diana Australis ^club

Hi Diana and many thanks. I am pleased you liked it and that the swans made you smile. Have a great week.

5 years ago.

Dimas Sequeira ^club

Beautiful place and shot! Nice to read about those smart swans! HFF, Carol!

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Dimas Sequeira ^club

Thank you very much Dimas. Really appreciated. It is beautiful there and seeing the swans ring the bell made my day.

5 years ago.

Roger (Grisly) ^club

Tremendous addition to the group
Thank you for posting
www.ipernity.com/group/magicalsunlight

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Roger (Grisly) ^club

Many thanks Roger. Really appreciated

5 years ago.

Christiane ♥.•*¨`*•✿

A real great photograph, Carol ! *******
... and thank you for the explanations. When reading the title in the following photograph, I thought that it was the contrary; that the man was calling the swans with the bell. So, the story is even much more funny here ! (:o))
Thanks for the smile, Carol.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Christiane ♥.•*¨`*•✿

Thank you very much dear Christiane. I am pleased you liked it. The Bishop's Palace is beautiful and it was such a delight watching the swans ring the bell to be fed and the pigeons made me smile scrambling in at the back! I had a smile on my face for hours. Have a good week ahead my friend

5 years ago.

Treasa Ui Cionaodha

Brilliant capture of Gatehouse Well done Carol. Interesting info on the Swans

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Treasa Ui Cionaodha

Thank you very much Tess. I am pleased you liked it. The Bishop's Palace itself is beautiful too and it was good to get some nice weather for our visit. Havea good week

5 years ago.

Treasa Ui Cionaodha

Returning to say Congratulations in Explore. Well deserved for this image.

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Treasa Ui Cionaodha

Thank you very much Tess. Very much appreciated

5 years ago.

Kama 56

splendide cette tour

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Kama 56

Thank you very much. Really appreciated. The palace itself is also very beautiful and impressive. Have a good week

5 years ago.

ColRam

HFF Eco et bonne semaine

5 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to ColRam

Thank you very much Ramon and many thanks for the group invitations. Much appreciated.

5 years ago.

Valfal ^club

This could be a postcard! Belated HFF, Carol

5 years ago.

Roger Dodger

An excellent scenic view of the gatehouse Carol and interesting info on the Swans; I have been there, but many years ago, interestingly I have photographs of my parents on that drawbridge taken sometime back in the 1930s.

5 years ago.

menonfire ^club

Ein zauberhaftes Bauwerk dort, mir gefällt auch besonders der Schatten auf den Steinen !

5 years ago.

Kawasirius ^club

Belle capture de ce portail exceptionnel ! J'aime beaucoup le PIP avec les cygnes !

5 years ago.

John FitzGerald ^club

Great shadows.

4 years ago.

Ulrich John ^club

Impressive architecture, Carol ! Very well taken and shown ! HFF and a good and healthy weekend for you !

4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.

natureoncam aka Greg ^club

Two great shots and a lovely story about the swans ringing the bell. Do like the shadows, the clouds, the light, everything!

3 years ago.

Phil Sutters ^club

My Dad, in the early 1950s, was Chaplain to the Theological College ,which was in Wells until it merged with Salisbury's, and we lived in the Vicars' Close. Our Mum used to bring my sisters and I down to see the swans ringing the bell every so often, so this photo is a lovely reminder of our time in this beautiful city.

3 years ago.

Ecobird ^club has replied to Phil Sutters ^club

I am so sorry I missed your comment Phil. What lovely memories. Vicars' Close is a beautiful place. It must have been interesting growing up there and the swans are a delight
Have a good weekend

2 years ago.

Ecobird ^club

Many thanks for all your kind comments everyone. Really appreciated

2 years ago.

Marije Aguillo ^club

Excelente toma y bonito Pic.

2 years ago.

Günter Klaus ^club

Dieser schöne Palast liegt richtig schön am Wasser liebe Carol,sehr schön hast du das fotografiert :))

Wünsche noch einen schönen Abend,ganz liebe Grüße Güni :))

2 years ago.

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Faith (and Grace and Gabriel! in PiP!!)

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