Tuesday 4th we drove across the Brecon Beacons, down past Merthyr Tydfil (once the largest town in Wales in a key coal-mining area, now struggling in the ‘post-industrial era’), past Cardiff and back across the Severn estuary before heading south to Glastonbury to where Russ’s daughter K’lo had just moved two weeks previously. Our arrival soon turned into a gathering – K’lo’s son Kieran and girlfriend Christiana, daughter Megan and partner Pete and Kieran’s grandparents Jan and Matthew. Lots of cups of tea and chat. Then Russ, K’lo, myself and the young ones drove to the base of Glastonbury Tor and climbed up to enjoy the glorious view.
On the flat, water-logged Somerset Levels, the Tor seems to have been called Ynys yr Afalon (The Isle of Avalon) by the Britons and has been associated with the Avalon of Arthurian legend. Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the 7th century and rebuilt after fire in the 12th century, was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey controlled large tracts of the surrounding land and was instrumental in major drainage projects on the Somerset Levels.
Everywhere brambles dripping ripe and ripening blackberries, so delicious. Also a little orchard on the Tor with plentiful apples. Foraging would be a breeze here, at this time of year.
In the evening a family dinner cooked by K’lo, Kieran, Megan and Christiana – cider and cheese contributed by Pete. Music – Russ and Pete on guitars, Kieran, before and the next day, playing classical piano. And we met Steve, K’lo’s lovely partner.
The following day we visited a huge indoor/outdoor centre full of second hand/antique goods on our way to Wells, then a very nice lunch in the city before a quick look at Wells Cathedral (where I went to a service in 1993). We returned via Jan and Matthew’s home – an old Glastonbury cottage, full of interesting art work and old grandfather clocks (Matthew mended them for a living) with a charming garden where in which we sat for a cup of tea before departing for our return to Wales. Very impressed with Jan and Matthew’s efforts to live as sustainably as possible.
JaneRussell journeys 