Big skies

The fens are famed for their big skies and flat landscapes. One fen woman used to say that it was good that there were no hills or mountains to get in the way of a good view. Another woman said she bought her bungalow just for the views of the sunsets. She said she preferred to watch the ever-changing fen skies than the television. They were much more interesting and never any repeats.

It would be difficult to beat the fenland skies for some amazing sunrises and breath-taking sunsets. Perhaps it should become compulsory for everyone to stop whatever they are doing and take the time at least once a year to stop to watch the sun rise or set, preferably in the fens, of course?

The skies over the fens are often clear and blue, and they can be a beautiful sight to behold. The fens are also a great place to stargaze, as the skies are often both clear and dark. It is increasingly difficult to get a good view of the night sky due to an excessive amount of light pollution.

Sometimes you can get to see the magical mists rising from the waters early in the morning or the warmth of the sun turning the frost to mist on the black fen soil.

Tenth generation fen farmer in Cambridgeshire, Rex Sly, is also a fen historian, author and poet.

Here Rex can be heard and watched with some views of the fen skies:-

Here Rex can be heard reciting more poetry and you can see the cattle being taken off the Whittlesey wash in October:-

Here Rex talks to Selina Scott about global warming, sea defences and pumps. You can see pumpkins, rivers, a sluice, a windmill and more skies.

Look at the Gallery for some photographs of fen skies by Liz W