Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England

[pjthompson]

I'd been to the ruined abbey of Glastonbury on a previous trip and loved the place so much I'd practically done a photo montage, so I wasn't much in the mood to take pictures this time. Ann and Lynn had never been, so I turned my camera over to Lynn and let her take what she liked, and Ann got some nice pictures, too.

I just wanted to walk around and enjoy the lovely green peace and quiet of the place. Some of the places I revisited on this trip were a disappointment, but not the abbey. It was just as lovely as I remembered it. It's said that King Arthur was buried here...or that may have just been a story cooked up by 12th century monks to get more tourist revenue. It's also said that back in medieval times the land around the abbey and Glastonbury Tor, which looms up in the nearby countryside, was swampy during the wet months of the year. Some have suggested that Glastonbury was actually the place where Arthur was taken when mortally wounded—the Isle of Avalon. Or that may be a story to get more tourist revenue... I don't take sides. It's a wonderfully romantic place, surrounded by evocative legends.

You can view the current batch of photos by CLICKING HERE.

Comments

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

This brings back memories of my trip. A tour guide told us that the area was sort of like a small, shallow inland sea until drainage ditches were put in. I think it might have been the Victorians, who were good at wrecking things. The Tor would have stood out, as would the Chalice Well and that Avalon comes from the vale of apples name.

It could well be the final resting place of the sword, if the legend has a trace of truth, and would have fitted with Arthur being taken away to Avalon by boat.

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

so beautiful!

[pjthompson]

Yes. I've always thought all those legends must have at least a kernel of truth to them. Plus, they're so romantic you want to believe. :-)

[pjthompson]

It is a beautiful place.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

wow, so beautiful and serene. It makes you want to move right in ... except a little thing called exposure and/or starvation.

[pjthompson]

You could almost live in the Bishop's Kitchen. There is that smoke hole in the top of the roof, but enough blankets, you wouldn't notice that much.