Doug, Blake and I ventured into the Salisbury plains and visited the two of the more prominent Neolithic monuments in England (maybe the world?) in Stonehenge and Avebury.
Doug was a little bolder than the rest of us as he chose to refute the legend of sitting in “The Devil’s Chair”.
Sandwiched between those we made stops at several King Arthur/Holy Grail sights.Dominating the Somerset countryside is the Glastonbury Tor which according to Arthurian legend might very well be the Isle of Avalon. Atop is the remnant of the monastic church of St. Michael, as well as, some excellent scenic views.
We then toured what remains of the Glastonbury Abbey, which thanks to Henry VIII isn’t much. However, the reported original burial place of King Arthur and Guinevere is on these grounds.
Yet another legendary site was the Chalice Well. This is where Joseph of Arimathea brought with him the Chalice of the Last Supper (The Holy Grail?) and two cruets containing the blood and sweat that came from Christ’s wounds. He, legend has it, hid them in the hillside or the well itself and since that time the water has flowed red.
The waters are said to obtain certain healing powers should one drink it or wade in the Healing Pool below the spring. Some legends say it can make one feel youthful upon drinking it, but Blake says it tastes exactly like the water from the fountains of his baseball field.
We had some spare time in the town of Glastonbury itself having a VERY nice lunch at the George and Pilgrims, a coach inn built 1452, and also noticing that the town/area itself has a very… um… “spiritual” feel to it, in a new age, crystal type way.Which might explain…
Yes, ladies and gentlemen... that lady IS hugging that tree , and due to potential lightning strikes we will not make any references to the likeness of the other chap.
1 comment:
Have also been to Stonehenge, Avebury, and Glastonbury. Nobody ever mentions going to Avebury, but I remember being very impressed with those odd stones just sticking out of the ground. When I saw Stonehenge, it was roped off, and you couldn't get very close to the stones. Can't really tell from your photo, if that's still the case. The other thing was that there were a bunch of concession stands nearby, and it was so touristy trappy, and I was unimpressed with that, since I had read "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and I expected it to be surrounded by nothing.
I am so impressed with all the side trips you've taken while working in London. What great opportunities you've had.
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