Oct 17: Chalice Well, recovering

Thanks to those who posted a response--makes me feel a little more connected. Apologize for the occasional rough wording--since I'm paying by the 20 minute segment, not doing my usual editing. But just trying to keep you all abreast, and sometimes the words coming pouring out without being wonderfully phrased!
Paying the price physically for the climb up the Tor--legs very sore, overall fatigued. This is typical when I've gotten overly tired. The irony of being able to breath better means that sometimes my heart gets pushed too much. But, as Kim said, the memory and thrill of the accomplishment will outlast the body's complaints.
Did more walking than I should have yesterday, although just around town. A fantastic selection of shops with all sorts of wonderful 'New Age' stuff to be found. There's a man who is a proper 'town crier'--he actually has an impressive lapel pin with a royal crest on it--who leads a walking tour around Glastonbury. It was two hours and about 1 1/2 miles, but nicely paced. Just myself and another girl from (believe it or not) Havertown, she's a college student. Very interesting.

Went back to my B&B, picked up the water containers which had made the trip here with me and made the 10 min walk to Chalice Well. While I've seen the well and it's beautiful lid (the design name escapes me), wasn't really sure what to expect from the rest of the area. It's at the base of the Tor and, of course, you have to pay an entrance fee. It is set in 4 acres of gardens. By the time I'd gotten there it was about 4:30, closes at 6:00. From the moment you walk through the gatehouse it is just gorgeous. Beautiful designs, flowers, landscaped. And, of course, the water coming along various conduits in wonderful designs and catchments. Very peaceful. The sun was setting, which is my favorite time for light. Took, of course, tons of pictures. I continued through, coming across the healing pool and then the lion's head, which is where you can collect the water. It now runs through a filter system which makes it 'safe for human consumption'. It's a very thoughtful touch that where you can drink the water comes before the healing pool where you can bath!

The path meandered on, nothing that long and only a slight hill for my legs to complain about. A beautiful bench with an angel over it and the swirl of a labyrinth underneath it--a recuring pattern throughout. Then an archway, continued little gardens and, under several trees, there it suddenly was: very unobtrusive, although exactly as pictured. Several benches around, and then several more hewn out of the rocks and walls built up around it.

For me this place had an incredible spirituality surrounding the immediate area. I've rarely felt it so strongly, just in a specific place. It was wonderful to spend some time there, in the setting sun, in an area of such peace and beauty that has been a place of worship for thousands and thousands of years. Perhaps it is that history as well that has been soaked up and radiates outward.

I could have done without the barking dog outside the walls, however!
This was a more spiritual experience than climbing the Tor, but, in all fairness, that was representative of more of a challenge and any spiritual feeling may have taken second place to my feelings of elation.
After leaving the well area I walked back, filled several containers with Well water (which many people are happily awaiting!, then took off my shoes and socks and walked in the Healing Bath. My main comment is that it was very, very cold! Many more pictures, brief stop in the shop. Then, tired but very spiritually fulfilled, I walked back towards my B&B, stopping in a 600 year old pub for a light meal and delicious local cider (alcoholic, by the way!).

As April can attest, my B&B has a stunning, as well as fairly close view of the Tor and I get a big smile whenever I look up at it and re-live the accomplishment.
Today I mailed (at great expense) a box of stuff back home, most of it weighty things that I should have known better than to bring. While expensive, it was necessary as there is still a fair amount of lugging baggage around.
Today the weather is cold, but bright. I'm going through Glastonbury Abbey, eating in town then back to the B&B. Still very tired and need to take it easy. My plan for tomorrow is to be packed and able to check out at 10 am, leave my bags there and go back to Chalice Well for a couple hours. Any place that I feel that spiritually connected to deserves more time. After that I will brave the public transport system without April's help and wend my way to my friend Chris'

Thanks for following along with me on my journey, Laurie