Day 7 - Somerset

We've left the elders and are back in England, headed for Somerset County where we are staying in the town of Cheddar. Still lots of rain, but fortunately traffic is very light and we get to Somerset early, so we go to the Pagan mecca of Glastonbury. I've never seen such a concentration of Pagan shops before, shopping is fun. We also see the ruins of the abbey here, supposed final resting place of King Arthur. We decide to save the hike up to the Tor until tomorrow when hopefully it isn't raining so much.

Afterwords try to stop at a cider farm, but sadly they are closed, will have to save that for tomorrow as well. We do find the B&B without trouble and wander about Cheddar and buy some cheese and cider. Then dinner and off to bed as the weather continues to worsen.

Day 8 - Somerset

This morning had a yummy breakfast although it's still raining, the weather report for later looks promising though.

What can we do in the rain? Drink cider - so it's off on another attempt to find real farmhouse cider (aka scrumpy). The first place we stop at is deserted, a somewhat disheartening find. The 2nd place we try is open and does not disappoint. Yay cider!

Then back to Glastonbury as it`s beginning to clear up. We do the hike up the Gastonbury Tor, what was once the Isle of Avalon. The views are incredible. Also good to get in touch with our Pagan roots. By the time we are done the weather has turned beautiful and remains so for the rest of the day.

At the bottom of the Tor is the Chalice Well - a spring that is the supposed resting place for the Holy Grail and sacred site for many years. Around it has been built gardens and places for meditation. If you want to design a Pagan holy place, this is the way to do it. It's dificult to describe, but it is definitely a powerful and peaceful place.

Rejuvenated after that we go a find another cider place, mmmm cider. Then on to Wells to see the Cathedral. The cathedral is suitably impressive - much gorgeous stained glass and sculpture.

Then our final cider stop - Wilkins Farm, probably the most fun as the "tastings" are a 1/2 pint. Located way out in the boonies too, so it's fun to find.

Finally back to the B&B, make a few more cheese purchases. Time to do this update and then we'll find dinner. This will be my last update before I'm home.

Tomorrow it's up at dawn, a stop to see the stone circle at Avebury, and then to Heathrow and home. Will be back at faire soon, and we might even have some scrumpy for you.