Blogs from Glastonbury, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe

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Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury September 4th 2023

Day 10 - A quiet day with a short 25 mile drive to Cawsand & Kingsand on the coast just south of Plymouth. We enjoyed a nice stroll around the beach side walk, as the day was hot at 29C there were plenty of last minute locals swimming before school holidays end tomorrow. Back to St Neot for a late lunch at the London Inn in the village. A quick visit to yet another 15th century Church before heading home to watch the F1 Italian Grand Prix. Day 11 - Angela & I left Pat & Andy this morning for a few days exploring on our own. We headed to Bideford for the first stop, a relaxing walk around this village. From here around to Ilfracombe, a relaxing walk around the ocean side cliffs, then back ... read more
Bideford
Bideford
Ilfracombe

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury September 14th 2017

In anticipation of a side trip to Cheddar Gorge (childhood memory revisit), I rose early, ready for another day's cycle. An appreciatedly simple B & B breakfast and a chat with the two other guests started my day. Both gals were working together doing research on the effects of civilization on the salt marsh habitat in the Severn Estuary. That, plus the North American use of "pants" versus "trousers" was discussed. We were on a roll with sunny starts, and I again enjoyed some flat riding in the the lowlands. While the land was flat, the road was very uneven and undulating (soft marsh base, I presume). Level didn't last long as I worked towards Bristol. Today was big bridge day, as I passed by the modern Severn-Wye Bridge (linking England to Wales), and later, underneath ... read more
Mendip Hill View

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury January 5th 2017

Despite the mercury still hovering around freezing at 10am, it was bright and sunny outside, so we went ahead with our plans for the day - a visit to Glastonbury and The Tor. Situated about 40klm south of Bristol, it makes for an easy day trip. Glastonbury is best known for The Glastonbury Festival, a music festival held annually since 1970. With an entrance fee of just £1 back then, Glastonbury 1970 was held the day after Jimi Hendrix died. Around 1500 people attended, and it was headlined by T Rex, stepping in for the Kinks who failed to show up. Tickets for last year's festival sold for £228 each ($385) and the five day 2017 festival, to be held in June, has already sold out. Glastonbury is reputed to have had the oldest Christian Church ... read more
Glastonbury Street Scene
Street Scene
Street Scene

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury April 25th 2014

This is written a bit later - but in all honesty a bit of a desperate day. It started off very well woke up in the B&B and after cooked breakfast - off on the road again. A nice day weather wise and cycling through vaguely familiar territory (since this was where my dad was from). A few hills as I left Crediton but all served to slow the pace down and the silence after a car passed was amazing - i.e. the lack of noise after the rush of the car accentuated all the animal and bird noises etc. Up a valley by a river to Tiverton, a short rest by a main road, then 8 miles or so on the busiest road so far - not much fun but got me closer to where ... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury January 15th 2012

On Sunday, we decided to get out of the city and see some of the countryside of Western England. At the last minute, we found the most cost effective way to do so was by taking a tour (Anderson Tours). We got picked up in London early in the morning by the company, and as it turned out, there were only 3 people (including us) on the tour. It was a nice tour because the guide explained everything to us on the bus and then we got off to explore on our own for a few hours. So it was a nice quiet day. Our first stop was at Avebury, a village known for being surrounded by the largest stone circle in the world. This is a much less touristy site than Stonehenge, and we could ... read more
Avebury
Avebury - Rock Hugger
Avebury - This looks like a good spot to have a rest

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury September 8th 2010

Sunshine oh yes sunshine, on my way to Glastonbury then Bath. I was early so after breaky I walked down to the ocean and sat for while just enjoying life,taking in the view and listening to the ocean. As I handed my key in I saw a photo of the Man O toll I (stones). I asked where they were and luckily for me the directions were really clear. Left here, right there, turn at the white house past farmer Joe, look out for the old tractor then park beside the farmhouse on the right the walk a few miles through the pastures, I love it like I’m going to find it, but hey I will give it my best shot. Off I drove, left, right, up hills, down hills, past houses, farms and down little ... read more
Cornwall
Bristol
Bristol

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury July 19th 2010

Geo: 51.1474, -2.71778Glastonbury, EnglandWe arrived in Glastonbury about 1:20 for a lunch break. Glastonbury Abbey was founded around 700 AD. It is associated with the legend of King Arthur. In 1191 legend says that the monks found the buried remains of King Author and Queen Guinevere. In 1278 they were re-buried in the chancel in the presence of King Edward I and Queen Eleanor. The place is also associated with St. Joseph of Arimathea. He was Jesus' great-uncle. It is said that during the time that Jesus was a young man, he traveled with his great-uncle and built a simple place of worship. Also, on the grounds is the Holy Thorn Tree, which flowers only twice a year; around Christmas and around Easter. I needed to have Dave, the driver, let me get into my luggage. ... read more
Bath to Glastonbury
town of Radstock heritage square
Glastonbury Tor

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury July 4th 2010

Amazing!! Been back home nearly a week and think that I have just stopped smelling the long drop loo smell that you can only ever possibly understand if you have been to Glasto. A great method of preparing for the trip ahead! It was, obviously, about considerably more than the loos and, actually, quite a bit more than the music. Some amazings sights and sounds and all in the southwest's third largest city. Strange to think that the only permanent structure is the Pyramid stage. Next year, go if you can!... read more
SANY0023
DSCF1280
SANY0024

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury June 2nd 2010

Mother Nature Makes up for the Rain Mother Nature decided to make up for yesterday’s bad weather by giving us a beautiful day today. It was blue skies and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit all day, perfect for a visit to the city of Wells and town of Glastonbury. Wells is known for its mighty Cathedral, but I was really excited to visit Glastonbury because it is the site of King Arthur’s tomb. Glastonbury also has a Tor, which is Celtic for “high hill”, which overlooks the town and is renowned for its mystical or magical properties because it is at the intersection of a major ley line. The City of Wells, an Unexpected Delight The first stop was the city of Wells which was on the way to Glastonbury. Wells is famous for its Cathedral, but ... read more
Wells Market
Wells Cathedral
Holy Kitty of Wells

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Somerset » Glastonbury December 18th 2009

We walked up Glastonbury Tor in the warmth of a winters afternoon sunshine, yet at the top we met a fiercely cold wind. The views made up for it for a while, but we finally had to retreat back down the hill. Tor means hill in Old English. Glastonbury Tor stands out from the surrounding countryside, being one of the few raised areas of land in the region. Many years ago, before drainage was put in, much of the land surrounding Glastonbury was frequently under water, leading to the legend of the Island of Avalon. In the mythology of the ancient Celts, Avalon was an island where gods and heroes fed on the apples of immortality, and has been woven into the stories surrounding Arthur, Excalibur, Merlin etc. Now the apples that are feasted on are ... read more
Path leading up the tor to St Michaels Chapel
St Michaels Chapel, Glastonbury Tor
view from inside chapel




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