Day 22 - Glastonbury

Having been at Tintagel only a few weeks ago, it seemed only right that I should become a pilgrim to Glastonbury.

 

Today was planned as a rest day - the first for just-on 200 miles. So, I was intending to spend some of the day with my feet up. 

But it was Beltane!

I woke just before 7 and was soon on my way to the Tor - a short walk out of the town.  The first person I met was a woman going down the hill who wished me Happy Beltane.

At the top I was priveledged to be alone for what seemed like 20 minutes without sight or sound of anyone - just me and the crows.

It was raining and felt too special to cut the visit short and turn back to town.

After a while I was joined by someone who turned out to be solitary celebrant who offered incantations to the points of the compass and then read a psalm from a by now, soggy psalter.

It felt it both special and moving in a way I hadn't expected.

When I eventually turned back down the hill I could hear cheering and a regular beating of drums. I followed the sound to Chalice Well garden where there was a procession of drummers 

and lots of happy people looking soggy.

Back in the town square - the town cryer was announcing a running order for the day and introducing bards.!

"Cousin" Jane and David chased me up from Porlock Weir and caught me at The White Hart.  We had great chats as always. Looking forward to the next time.

They had a long drive back to Northampton. 

Primed for the afternoon's jollity, I got straight back into the centre of town!

After the afternoon's long and soggy processions 

Draupadi and her friends deserved a coffee stop. 

I finished off the afternoon with a visit to the Abbey where some entrepreneurial monks in the 12th Century spotted the link with Arthur! 

 By the 14th Century, Glastonbury was "one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England"

Unfortunately, Henry VIII and subsequent owners didn't do it any favours but its still beautiful - and even more special with so few people around.

There's a really good - user friendly museum.

Back to my Air B&B where I thought I might put my feet up for half an hour. Two and half hours later I woke at 20:30.

All eating places closed by now so (sad bastard) I bought a Chinese takeaway and ate it in the Becket's Inn - bring your own food, cash only, no WiFi,

while chatting to the barmaid and an old spaniel with pancreatitis.!

Having arrived at Glastonbury with some scepticism, I think and hope I'll leave with a more open minded view.

There is certainly a lot of "snake-oil" but a lot of well meaning goodness too!