Having considered lots of more culturally-oriented possibilities, I voted (solid majority) to spend my last day in the UK in Kew Gardens. So glad I did. Everything was so exquisite, so perfect— I was so in love with every aspect of the landscape— I could have spent the whole day crying, my heart melted into an ocean of love. How I will miss all this! I feel so deeply nourished by the trees, flowers, rivers, all of it, awed by all the love, celebration, beauty and peace the plants and trees  (the root families and standing tall ones) pour freely into the world. Sad to leave, but off I go tomorrow!  

 Monday was tour day in Glastonbury, hosted by the gifted musician and lover of local legend and earth knowledge, Michael. Two other completely delightful women were in our small group. Both from Miami, and one was big into the Earth. I’m hoping I tempted them to come to Santa Fe some day. In the morning we climbed up Wearyall Hill, where Joseph of Arimathea planted the first thorn tree. Also fantastic 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and the Tor. It was wildly expansive up there. The Tor was once an island, surrounded by wetlands, which I found fascinating. You could only get there by boat. Then back into town, with stops at another ancient chapel and the local goddess temple. Then back to the abbey, with much discussion of ley lines and earth energy lines and the patterns they form throughout Glastonbury. I am sorry to report that I did not retain much of that. Then ducked into lunch just before the rain started. By the time we finished, the rain had stopped and the sun came out. So, essentially I enjoyed a rain-free day. Then off to the profoundly beautiful and peaceful Chalice Well and gardens. Drank the red water and then just enjoyed being still. Finally, another steep hike back up to the Tor to see the sunset from there. A perfect way to close the journey. The light, both subtle and visible, was amazing. What a special place! I am still kind of integrating all that I absorbed. Back to London today. A walk along my beloved Thames. Tomorrow—back to Kew Gardens. Yaaayyy!~

 On Sunday, I wandered around the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Housed in lush parkland, with the now usual array of ancient and huge trees (I never tire of them). The earliest version of the church was built on the site where Joseph of Arimathea built the first church (wattle and daub) in the UK. Many local legends around all this—including— visits by both the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, and Jesus’ burial  somewhere in the abbey grounds  It burned down twice—once by accident and once courtesy of  Henry VIII, who was busy destroying all the abbeys and acquiring their wealth.

The site now holds a Lady Chapel, where I had a love-saturated meditation. Then wandered through the remains of the rest of the abbey. Tho little is left, each remaining wall and structure has a grace and sculptural beauty against the sky. The church claims that Arthur and Guinevere are also buried here. And then, guess what? It rained! Hiked back up the hill to my truly lovely airbnb. 

 Photos of Glastonbury Tor. Got to Glastonbury (which the locals call Avalon) in time to climb to the top of the Tor—quite a steep 

Trail. No rain but a cold wind and lots of people at the top. I had some interesting memories and a deep dive into the expansive and loving energy there. But I am still sorting through all that. Locals are pretty far out. Haight Street in the 60s and then some. They were having a fairy festival this weekend and lots of people were dressed up in their fairy best! The climb to the start of the trail to the Tor was once again thickly green and filled me with bliss. The people who live in these countryside towns are so fortunate and they work to maintain their sublime environment.

 Friday—the day for Stonehenge, Avebury and 2 charming Cotswald villages—Lacock and Castle Coomb.   It rained and poured and the cold wind blew. Much as I had wanted to hang out with the stones at Stonehenge and Avebury, I was wet through and through from the first 15 minutes of the journey and the cold wind gusts didn’t help. Not the best conditions for contemplating the mysteries of the universe! Did get to see filming sites for several Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey episodes, albeit in the rain! I was sooo saturated by the time I got home—wet down to my skin and through it to the internal organs!

 Bath proved to be surprisingly (becos I didn’t remember it that way) beautiful. The river Avon runs right down the center and it is surrounded by green hills. The Bath Cathedral had a long series of intricate and large stained glass windows. I found a small but powerful chapel towards the front. Just one big candle on the altar at the front and I had it to myself. Such powerful divine love, very feminine in nature. I didn’t know how I would ever get up to leave! But then off to the Roman Baths. I discovered that the springs that filled the baths were well known to the early tribal peoples as a source of healing. The structure built by the Romans attracted thousands of visitors, many of whom had great faith in the healing waters. The healing was attributed to the goddess of the waters. 

 

A happy day in the lush and ancient beauty of the Cotswolds. I felt like I was in another world, entirely, a heavenly realm. And part of it all, a visit with my dear friend Vesey and his delightful wife Emma. Sharing this photo in case you might not believe I’m really in England. It does feel like a dream sometimes.