I will never forget the first time I saw Glastonbury Tor. I had just learned to drive, and it was one of my very first journeys. I took my parents out for the day and it was nerve wracking, especially trying to drive through Bristol (something I never, ever mastered). It was one of those hot, golden days of June – flaming June in all its glory. And it seemed right somehow, because Glastonbury sits firmly in the Summer Country, Somerset, the Welsh word being Gwland yr Haf – quite literally the Summer Country.
And I had dreamed of visiting Glastonbury for years. It spurred me on to pass my driving test, the thought that one day I would be able to borrow a car and drive down there for myself. I still dream about the place sometimes. And in spite of all the lost turns (no Sat-Nav back in those days) and the near miss on the road through Clifton Gorge, I was determined to get there.
I was miles away when I first saw it. Rising above the heat haze, it shimmered. Pure magic. It took my breath away. Even after all these years I can still remember the effect. And Glastonbury – Avalon – is like that. It seeps into our consciousness. It awakens something we forgot many lifetimes ago.
And although I live many miles from Glastonbury…. it lives very close to me.
I love Glastonbury :o) Been then every year since (sometime 2-3 times a year)since I first visited about 5 years back. My nicest experiences have been climbing Wearyall Hill just before a Winter Solstice dawn to watch the sun come up of Glastonbury Tor. It was a little sad last year as the Holy Thorn had been vandalised but I saw a beautiful healing ceremony taking place around it. The experience was made all the more magickal by everything being covered in deep snow :o)
You can see live pics of the Tor nw via their web cam: http://www.checkitlive.com/camera/901
Thank you so much for that link, Chris! Glastonbury is a truly magical place!
It is a lovely place to see, stood on the top looking out at the superb scenery…did the same from Shaftesbury looking over at the Tor from there, same feeling of wonder at the beauty of the landscape all around…this island is so beautiful!…:) Glad you got there, tylluan…it is very nerve racking driving anywhere soon after you’ve passed your test…Have a lovely weekend…GBHs…XXX
Yes, it was nerve wracking and the roads were so much quieter then than they are now! Have a lovely weekend too!
same here when I learned to drive, don’t anymore…but still had nasty people on the roads then…scared the living daylights out of me a couple of them and broke my confidence completely for a while…hmmm…Road hogs have always been around unfortunately…and drunk drivers too…:( May you be safe wherever you drive now…:) GBHs…XXX
Alas I’ve had to give up driving due to my eyesight, but I know what you mean about other drivers being scary!
ah, I gave up because of my back, and Ray doesn’t drive so no choice…being reduced to public transport all the time is very limiting but a lot cheaper…:) and far more environmentally friendly…:) GBHs…XXX
I just wish there was some public transport down to Glastonbury… I can’t imagine how many changes I would need on the bus!
same here!…have to stay overnight by the time you get there, and for us too!..:) National Express coaches, if you can stand the sardine can travel, are inexpensive but take a long time but no changes usually…:) GBHs…XXX
Here’s the Tor, Tylluan, from Shaftesbury
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30123554@N02/6061285993/in/photostream
🙂 GBHs…XXX
That’s lovely Jenray, thank you so much for sharing! :wave:
I love Glastonbury, visited last birthday and had a wonderful day. Luckily I don’t live ‘too’ far away but it’s still quite a drive. I will go back this year if possible, it is a magical mystical place. 🙂
It’s a beautiful place – even when I don’t go there I still dream about it!
Very special place for many people…..:yes: My two visits left lasting memories…;)x
I’m glad it left a good impression on you, Bushka. Most people really enjoy their visits there – I know i did!
I have never visited Glastonbury, though I have enjoyed a bit of Somerset. Your personal description or the Tor is rather special.
Thank you Menhir! It’s a fantastic place – perhaps I ought to blog a bit more about it for those who have never been there… now there’s a thought….;)
The tor is steeped in mystery and history, the ‘vibes’ very present. There is also the Well in Glastonbury, which is the feminine to the Tor’s masculine and is also a special place where the water is sacred.
I agree, it’s a place where your awareness shifts up a gear and myth and legend come together to create that special Glastonbury experience.
Loved your recounting of the drive Tylluan!
I was just saying above to Menhir that maybe I should blog about other parts and aspects of Glastonbury, there is so much to see and enjoy there!
Oh that drive – it still gives me the shivers!!!
The Glastonbury Tor haunts me also. I shall go back to those places after death, and I shall be a child and live with my grandmother (1894) again, and dear old Uncle Fred, who was born in 1876! I remember climbing Dunkerry Beacon too, but I have no idea where it is. If my body was exhumed one day, and my teeth tested to show where I was from, they would find the waters of Somerset in the make-up of the tooth. My bones are made from Somerset water and soil! The pull is hard, isn’t it Tylluan? Thank you for posting this, for we who are homesick, and how I do pray you will be there again, in life. XXX
Now that might have motivated me to learn to drive too. What a magic sight . The picture you have posted is beautiful.
These experiences do seep into our consciousness and we become one with them :yes:
LOVELY xxx
I’d love to go Glastonbury or something similar but not enough places to sit down, we do go to the chatsworth country show soon though 🙂
My cousin who lived in England sent me some pebbles from there. These now reside in my labyrinth so that I feel connected to this incredible place. Many blessings!
I was on top of the Tor ten days ago. Fab, as ever 🙂
A lovely, lovely place – I walk up it regularly with a friend to drink in the view from on high.