Day 21 - Glastonbury to Wells

I had been looking forward to this part of Lejog as I had never had the “Glastonbury Experience” or seen the smallest cathedral city in England.


So, today, The Walker and I set off in brilliant sunshine to climb to the top of Glastonbury Tor and it didn’t disappoint. Fortunately we arrived before the crowds. The view really is something and I was so glad we didn’t have yesterday’s dismal weather. We then strolled on to the town to visit the Chalice Wells Gardens, the Rural Life Museum and, of course, the Abbey.

Glastonbury Tor

I drank some spring water in the World Peace Chalice Gardens, but I am not sure what is supposed to happen! Bernie says if I get stomach ache, it is not his barbecue! The Rural Life Museum was free (always a good thing) and a fascinating insight into village life in the 1800s. A bonus was " Glastonbury 40+" - the festival over forty years by photographers.

 

 

Chalice Well

 

 

I love old , ruined buildings , especially castles and abbeys, so was impressed by this one. Was even more impressed by the landlady of the pub, where we had lunchtime refreshment. She fed the garden birds (robins, finches, blackbirds) by hand; apparently it is not unusual to see a robin on the beer pump handles in the bar - obviously waiting to be served!

A remaining memory of Glastonbury will be that every shop on the High Street seemed to ooze incense and just about all you could buy was magical or mythical! No normal shops!

 

 

 

From Bernie:

Today's walk 7.5 miles : Cumulative 282.5 miles

 

 

Today's mileage might look a bit pathetic but it was supposed to be a day off! I also walked into Glastonbury from our campsite & then spent the morning wandering around all the tourist sites - at least another 3 miles!

At the risk of offending my Technical Team I've also made the overall walk longer. The next leg should have been Glastonbury to Cheddar but I'd never been to Wells &, with time in hand, thought I'd wander out there this afternoon. When I first planned the route I'd rejected this diversion because of the lack of footpaths but in today's glorious sunshine the quiet back-road walking didn't seem quite so off-putting.

 

 

It's at least 40 years since I was in Glastonbury & I can't remember whether I've ever visited the Abbey ruins, the Chalice Gardens or the Museum but the Tor is as magical as ever, just overlooking a few more housing & industrial estates than I recall.

Chalice Well Gardens

 

 

Highlight of the Day: the people in Glastonbury! The doorstep beggars, the buskers playing bagpipes/mandolins/gongs, the gent in full Highland ceremonial dress driving around in a disabled buggy, the meditating lady wandering the paths of the Chalice Garden with eyes tightly closed, the Spanish visitors washing stones in the healing waters & carefully wrapping them in linen, the young women practicing some kind of dance ritual in front of the Parish Church.... as I left the town it was almost a relief to be greeted by a window-cleaner: 'Alright mate?' - was he the only person here working?!

 

 

Glastonbury Abbey Ruins

 

 

Beer of the Day: at last, a proper cider. Weston's draught Scrumpy - worth the wait! Also bought 4 different ales from the Glastonbury Brewery & will update you as I sample those!

 

 

Need to work out a route from Wells to Cheddar now which still takes in the places I wanted to visit. Bound to include lots of hills!

 

 

Nathan: I couldn't cope without the Technical Team! The horses on the Quantocks were quite incredible - not sure if it was the slightly misty, drizzly weather & the general lack of people. They were very still & placid & not as inquisitive as they sometimes are.

As for your comment about ladies, I couldn't be rude.... &, actually, I was quite flattered!

Di: didn't know anything about Brewster but he & his family looked friendly enough: don't think I could have fitted him into my backpack to bring him back for you!

 

 

Wells Cathedral