 |
The Glastonbury Tor |
Traveling abroad is great for understanding different cultures and ways of life. Traveling abroad alone teaches you a lot about yourself. In June and July of 2013, I traveled solo to England and Croatia. It was a planes, trains, and automobiles adventure that spanned just under one month and can't possibly be told in one blog post. So today's post will focus on my time in Glastonbury, England.
For about twenty years, I'd dreamed of visiting the Glastonbury Tor. Finally it became a reality. My goal was to be on top of the Tor on the sunrise of the Summer Solstice. It was worth the effort.
It was the bus ride that set the stage. I took a bus from Bath to Glastonbury. It was like I was transported back in time. The bus smelled like armpits and pot. It was full of hippies, banging drums and singing. I felt like I was on my way to Woodstock. The driver wasn't thrilled with this, which was a bit funny.
I finally got to my motel and barely had enough time to rest up for the following morning. Starting at about 3;30 am on June 21st, I jogged from my motel to the top of the Tor. I made it with a bit of time to spare. The top of the Tor was packed. Some had camped overnight.
At sunrise. There was a ceremony welcoming the summer solstice. It was awesome. I stayed until the sun bathed the place in light, then went down the hill, had breakfast, and got ready for a walking tour of Glastonbury.
 |
The top of the Tor on the Sunrise of the Summer Solstice 2013 |
 |
The Abbey at the top of the Tor just after sunrise |
 |
Happy Solstice! |
My tour guide's name was Tor, not kidding. He was very knowledgeable and well-known throughout the town. Here's a link to his website.
Tor's Tour of the Tor
The tour began at Wearyall Hill, the location of the Glastonbury Thorn, where Tor told the legend of how Joseph of Arimathea placed his staff in Wearyall Hill, which grew into the legendary tree.
 |
The legendary Glastonbury Thorn atop Wearyall Hill. People tie ribbons around it to commemorate their visit. Beside the Thorn tree is Tor's doggie, and tour guide assistant, Sage. |
From there we visited the chapel of St. Margaret and the site of Waddle Church, then to the Church of St. John.
 |
St. Margaret's Chapel |
 |
The Church of St. John |
From there we visited the Glastonbury Abbey, the legendary resting place of King Arthur.
 |
The Glastonbury Abbey |
We had lunch, then continued on to White Springs and chalice Well. As we made our way through town, which was lined with shops and restaurants (may of which were vegetarian/vegan), the locals would greet us with a warm, "Happy Solstice!" Tor's quite the celebrity there, he knew everyone.
 |
Chalice Well, a place of healing. |
 |
Chalice Well |
Tor's tour ended with climbing the Tor, where we learned that the path up to the top was actually a labyrinth. Tor is a wealth of information. I was so glad to have met him and get insight into this wonderful place I'd always dreamed of visiting.
After the incredible tour, I climbed the Tor once more, then headed to town and stopped at a coffee house called the Hundred Monkeys Cafe for cream tea, which is tea with a scone with clotted cream (why we don't have this here I'll never know).
It was an amazing day. And that's just one day of the eight that I was in that wonderful place.
I took another tour with tor to Corwall and Tintagel, the legendary birth place of King Arthur, but I'll save that for another post.
May your heart lead you on wonderful journeys.
Peace,
C