24 October, 2013

I am preparing to leave Bath for London this morning, so a quick post of mostly pictures from yesterday’s pilgrimage to Glastonbury.  As always, click any photo to embiggen.

It was two hours on two busses to make the 27 mile trip. The bus to Wells from Bath was the longest and just around 80 minutes. The route was on side streets through small towns and narrow lanes through the countryside. I have to commend the drivers for their skill piloting the busses down these roads. It certainly takes some stones. I noticed on the ride that in the small villages, all of the houses have names.. I like that, though I don’t think it would work well in America. Maybe if we gave them names such as “Boring” and “Just Like the Rest” or “Same Here.”

I stopped for an hour in Wells, where I changed busses, and went to see the Cathedral. Very ornate and Stunningly beautiful. Unlike most of the Cathedrals in France, in England they didn’t lose their glass in the wars. Wells is famous for the solution of the scissor arch in the crossing that supports the weight of the tower.

In Glastonbury, I had several objectives. I was looking for something specific for a friend at home, and went straight to finding that. It took relatively little time, I was practically guided to it by divine inspiration. After, my first stop was the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Terrifically beautiful, the ruins are the centerpiece of a nearly 40 acre enclosure. It is here that the Legend says King Arthur and Guinevere are buried. The tomb is 500 years gone, but a marker stands in its place.

On my way to climb Glastonbury Tor, I stopped at the Chalice Well Gardens for a brief moment of prayer and meditation, and wash the gift for my friend in the waters of this holy spring.  The summit of the Tor is just under 600 feet above sea level, and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. The tower remains from the 14^th century St. Michaels church. Excavation has shown that this hill has been sacred ground since before the Romans. Legends say that here atop the Tor is where the Gateway to Avalon is located.  Meditation here next to the ancient tower revealed to me a secret, however — Avalon lies within.

What an amazing day. My entire time in Bath and Glastonbury has been fantastic, and filled with the presence of the spirit. Time to be moving on, however. Into the heart of the urban beast and an afternoon filled with new adventures.

Cheers!