| Glastonbury, Somerset Monday 8th June We sorted out much of the stuff needed for our trip to Glastonbury on the Sunday. The food shopping was done and I had ironed all the clothes ready to be loaded into the caravan while Kenny charged up the battery, got the fridge working, checked the car and did all the outside stuff. Our friendly cat-feeding and plant-watering neighbour was duly instructed and we were ready to go. Glastonbury is only about 55 miles from Poole so not a long journey for us, but it did take us through some very narrow though pretty village centres which needed full concentration from the driver. The weather was bright but with spitty showers and the nearer we got to our destination the brighter and drier it got. We arrived at the site just after 1pm, the journey taking about 1 hour and 40 minutes. |
| Caravan Adventures with Christine & Dorothy |
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We found that the tourist information room was also a recreation room with a pool table and small library of books. We decided to walk to the tor that
afternoon and visit Glastonbury town the next day so we changed into suitable walking boots and followed the very well signposted footpaths leading
straight from the campsite to the tor. We stopped to talk with some of the many dog walkers from the camp site who warned us the walk to the tor was
very steep, and they weren't wrong! It was hard going but in the cool weather we coped okay and our cardiovascular systems got quite a workout!
afternoon and visit Glastonbury town the next day so we changed into suitable walking boots and followed the very well signposted footpaths leading
straight from the campsite to the tor. We stopped to talk with some of the many dog walkers from the camp site who warned us the walk to the tor was
very steep, and they weren't wrong! It was hard going but in the cool weather we coped okay and our cardiovascular systems got quite a workout!
The setting of this site was beautiful.
Tranquil must be the most
appropriate description. An adult’s
only site set in a totally rural location
below Glastonbury Tor, this was just
over 1 mile from the town and so
within walking distance. Our pitch
was fully serviced (electric hook-up,
mains water tap and waste water
drain all provided at the pitch) and
one of 10 in a circular layout
(Walnut Circle) all with a level hard
standing big enough for van, awning
and car. All pitches included a
further lawn area and all this with
flowering shrub screens making
each one very private. I would think
each pitch was about half again
bigger than at other sites we have
seen.
Tranquil must be the most
appropriate description. An adult’s
only site set in a totally rural location
below Glastonbury Tor, this was just
over 1 mile from the town and so
within walking distance. Our pitch
was fully serviced (electric hook-up,
mains water tap and waste water
drain all provided at the pitch) and
one of 10 in a circular layout
(Walnut Circle) all with a level hard
standing big enough for van, awning
and car. All pitches included a
further lawn area and all this with
flowering shrub screens making
each one very private. I would think
each pitch was about half again
bigger than at other sites we have
seen.
| Christine & Dorothy on site |
Friday 12th June
It rained heavily at about 05:00 and in a caravan that's loud! So we were up and showered very
early. The weather forecast on the radio said it would clear and it did so we headed for Cheddar
Gorge again to complete the cliff-top walk. Up the 274 steps of Jacob's ladder was only the start; it
was a very steep walk and hard work. But the views were fantastic and well worth the effort.
Glastonbury Tor was in the distance rising up from the mist and we could see right across to
Bridgwater Bay (or Morecombe Bay as Kenny called it - his geography was always bad!).
It rained heavily at about 05:00 and in a caravan that's loud! So we were up and showered very
early. The weather forecast on the radio said it would clear and it did so we headed for Cheddar
Gorge again to complete the cliff-top walk. Up the 274 steps of Jacob's ladder was only the start; it
was a very steep walk and hard work. But the views were fantastic and well worth the effort.
Glastonbury Tor was in the distance rising up from the mist and we could see right across to
Bridgwater Bay (or Morecombe Bay as Kenny called it - his geography was always bad!).
| Glastonbury Tor |
Once we’d set up and had a sandwich and cup of tea we explored the campsite. With 100 pitches we were surprised to find only
2 showers in each shower block but then found 2 further shower/toilet rooms and a bathroom which still didn't seem enough,
but it turned out not to be a problem and the showers themselves were very good. The facilities were all excellent and kept very
clean and tidy. The site had a shop stocked with everything from frozen foods to freshly made cakes which were very tempting!
2 showers in each shower block but then found 2 further shower/toilet rooms and a bathroom which still didn't seem enough,
but it turned out not to be a problem and the showers themselves were very good. The facilities were all excellent and kept very
clean and tidy. The site had a shop stocked with everything from frozen foods to freshly made cakes which were very tempting!
| Camp site setting as seen from path to Paradise Lane |
The effort was well worth it for the views
from the tor, absolutely fantastic! The
tor's history is an interesting one and as
I was reading Bernard Cornwell's 'The
Winter King' all about the legendary
King Arthur, that made it all the more
fascinating for me. The walk back was
caravan we had a glass of wine and
some nibbles to restore our energy.
from the tor, absolutely fantastic! The
tor's history is an interesting one and as
I was reading Bernard Cornwell's 'The
Winter King' all about the legendary
King Arthur, that made it all the more
fascinating for me. The walk back was
caravan we had a glass of wine and
some nibbles to restore our energy.
Tuesday 9th June
Always up early, I was in the shower by 06:45 and we were having breakfast by 07:30. We planned to walk to Glastonbury town so donned our walking
took was less direct than need be. The first part was uphill though nowhere near as steep as our walk to the day before and the second half was downhill
into the town itself.
Glastonbury has some very old and pretty buildings and many new-age shops drawing on the mystical history of the area. This is no high street clone with
the big chain shops seen everywhere else in the country, but instead it retains some unexpected character and unusual charm. We spent a couple of
hours looking around Glastonbury Abbey the ruins of Britain's largest abbey and legendary burial place of King Arthur. The ruins were impressive and the
grounds worth a wander. We had to negotiate some rowdy groups of schoolchildren but still managed to find some peaceful areas for quiet reflection.
Always up early, I was in the shower by 06:45 and we were having breakfast by 07:30. We planned to walk to Glastonbury town so donned our walking
took was less direct than need be. The first part was uphill though nowhere near as steep as our walk to the day before and the second half was downhill
into the town itself.
Glastonbury has some very old and pretty buildings and many new-age shops drawing on the mystical history of the area. This is no high street clone with
the big chain shops seen everywhere else in the country, but instead it retains some unexpected character and unusual charm. We spent a couple of
hours looking around Glastonbury Abbey the ruins of Britain's largest abbey and legendary burial place of King Arthur. The ruins were impressive and the
grounds worth a wander. We had to negotiate some rowdy groups of schoolchildren but still managed to find some peaceful areas for quiet reflection.
After eating some delicious pasties bought from a very nice bakery along
the High Street we looked for a bus to take us back to the tor so we could
then take the downhill walk back to the camp site. But we had just missed
one bus and the next involved a wait of an hour and a half, so we walked
the whole way back taking a slightly different though more direct route
along Paradise Lane resulting in a bit of a singsong involving Mother Kelly!
the High Street we looked for a bus to take us back to the tor so we could
then take the downhill walk back to the camp site. But we had just missed
one bus and the next involved a wait of an hour and a half, so we walked
the whole way back taking a slightly different though more direct route
along Paradise Lane resulting in a bit of a singsong involving Mother Kelly!
Wednesday 10th June
After an early and refreshing shower we breakfasted on croissants with filter coffee, very continental, and
planned our day. It started to rain quite heavily and so we decided to head for Wells to visit the cathedral
and then continue on to Cheddar Gorge caves. The rain had stopped before we got to Wells so we parked
well-known stores dotted along the High Street which didn't detract from its appeal too much. It was market
day and the stalls were plentiful and very interesting, well worth visiting.
The cathedral had free entry but used a suggested donation method in order to raise funds to keep it in a
good state of repair. We watched the famous knights jousting clock chime the hour at ten and marvelled at
the impressive building capabilities of the 13th century. We took a couple of hours looking round then
decided to continue on to Cheddar Gorge as the weather had brightened up. We would keep the Bishops
Palace visit for another day, time permitting.
After an early and refreshing shower we breakfasted on croissants with filter coffee, very continental, and
planned our day. It started to rain quite heavily and so we decided to head for Wells to visit the cathedral
and then continue on to Cheddar Gorge caves. The rain had stopped before we got to Wells so we parked
well-known stores dotted along the High Street which didn't detract from its appeal too much. It was market
day and the stalls were plentiful and very interesting, well worth visiting.
The cathedral had free entry but used a suggested donation method in order to raise funds to keep it in a
good state of repair. We watched the famous knights jousting clock chime the hour at ten and marvelled at
the impressive building capabilities of the 13th century. We took a couple of hours looking round then
decided to continue on to Cheddar Gorge as the weather had brightened up. We would keep the Bishops
Palace visit for another day, time permitting.
We didn't have the appropriate footwear to do the 3 mile cliff-top walk so would return on Friday better prepared. Once
campsite the sun had come out and it was warm and bright. It did take longer than expected to get back to the van after the
sat-nav decided to take us on a sightseeing tour of what must be the narrowest lanes in the area, some almost had grass
growing down the middle!
After a cup of tea we explored the on-site fishing lake and saw a mother duck with her lovely cute ducklings and some very
large fish. Storm clouds were looming in the distance so we headed back to the van to start dinner of chilli con carne. A few
minutes after getting inside the wind picked up and the heavens opened, it poured for about twenty minutes. Luckily our day
was dry and we had settled in for the evening.
campsite the sun had come out and it was warm and bright. It did take longer than expected to get back to the van after the
sat-nav decided to take us on a sightseeing tour of what must be the narrowest lanes in the area, some almost had grass
growing down the middle!
After a cup of tea we explored the on-site fishing lake and saw a mother duck with her lovely cute ducklings and some very
large fish. Storm clouds were looming in the distance so we headed back to the van to start dinner of chilli con carne. A few
minutes after getting inside the wind picked up and the heavens opened, it poured for about twenty minutes. Luckily our day
was dry and we had settled in for the evening.
Entrance to Cheddar caves, a short bus tour with commentary, museum entry and cliff-top walk was £16 each and Kenny
caves were amazing and the audio guides very informative. Chatting to the man at the museum who was dressed in old-style
clothing and doing outside demonstrations of ancient methods of fire making, flint napping etc. was extremely interesting.
Lunch followed in the Edelweiss restaurant where we both tried the paninis - delicious!
caves were amazing and the audio guides very informative. Chatting to the man at the museum who was dressed in old-style
clothing and doing outside demonstrations of ancient methods of fire making, flint napping etc. was extremely interesting.
Lunch followed in the Edelweiss restaurant where we both tried the paninis - delicious!
| Camp site fishing lake |
Thursday 11th June
We awoke to blue sky with big fluffy white clouds racing along on the breeze. A visit to Bath today and we used the sat-nav to get us there. The journey
took about 40 minutes and we parked near the famous crescent. On our walk into the town centre we stopped off at a small but beautiful Georgian
garden that was open to the public. Next stop the Roman baths. We never realised just how big the site of the baths was and the entrance fee of £11
each was well worth it. After nearly 2 hours looking around the baths we lunched at Jamie's Italian Restaurant with a terrace overlooking Bath. It was
quite a nice meal in a lovely setting. Next was the fudge shop search and we found it - the San Francisco Fudge Factory. We watched a batch of fudge
being made in the shop which was fascinating and we got to try some for being such good spectators! We also bought some vanilla caramel fudge,
ginger fudge and a cream and caramel ice cream each; after all that we were stuffed! We walked along the river a short way to the weir before making
our way back to the car. A lovely day was spent in Bath.
We awoke to blue sky with big fluffy white clouds racing along on the breeze. A visit to Bath today and we used the sat-nav to get us there. The journey
took about 40 minutes and we parked near the famous crescent. On our walk into the town centre we stopped off at a small but beautiful Georgian
garden that was open to the public. Next stop the Roman baths. We never realised just how big the site of the baths was and the entrance fee of £11
each was well worth it. After nearly 2 hours looking around the baths we lunched at Jamie's Italian Restaurant with a terrace overlooking Bath. It was
quite a nice meal in a lovely setting. Next was the fudge shop search and we found it - the San Francisco Fudge Factory. We watched a batch of fudge
being made in the shop which was fascinating and we got to try some for being such good spectators! We also bought some vanilla caramel fudge,
ginger fudge and a cream and caramel ice cream each; after all that we were stuffed! We walked along the river a short way to the weir before making
our way back to the car. A lovely day was spent in Bath.
| hungry ducks! |
| view from inside the tor |
| view of the Somerset Levels from the tor |
The local ducks came calling and nearly came inside looking to be fed: our neighbour told us
they made that mistake their first day and the ducks kept returning for more, so we kept our
bread to ourselves!
An evening in watching a DVD on the laptop had become our caravanning routine and we didn't
break it that evening being too exhausted to want to go anywhere else.
they made that mistake their first day and the ducks kept returning for more, so we kept our
bread to ourselves!
An evening in watching a DVD on the laptop had become our caravanning routine and we didn't
break it that evening being too exhausted to want to go anywhere else.
Our feet ached and getting back to the caravan was quite a relief, but we had had a very good time. After a cup of very refreshing tea Kenny went off to
the shop to find out about ordering a cake and then spent time chatting with our neighbour. I have to admit that we both fell asleep for an hour or so after
that due to the exertion of the day and the warm sunshine that streamed in through the windows.
Later we went to the shop and bought some provisions (Kenny bought a 3 metre length of flexible waste pipe that went straight from the caravan waste
starting to ache from the earlier hill walking and didn't want to completely seize up through sitting down too long. It did the trick and we both felt better for
some fresh air. The evening was still and mild and birdsong filled the air and later on as darkness fell we heard a tawny owl in the distance and no traffic
or man-made sounds at all, we were in heaven!
the shop to find out about ordering a cake and then spent time chatting with our neighbour. I have to admit that we both fell asleep for an hour or so after
that due to the exertion of the day and the warm sunshine that streamed in through the windows.
Later we went to the shop and bought some provisions (Kenny bought a 3 metre length of flexible waste pipe that went straight from the caravan waste
starting to ache from the earlier hill walking and didn't want to completely seize up through sitting down too long. It did the trick and we both felt better for
some fresh air. The evening was still and mild and birdsong filled the air and later on as darkness fell we heard a tawny owl in the distance and no traffic
or man-made sounds at all, we were in heaven!
Saturday 13th June
Home today. The first morning I had to queue for the shower but that was probably because it was a bit later, 07:30
must be a popular time. Beans on toast for breakfast and then we headed for home.
Glastonbury has a magical feel and the campsite was so good we plan to vote for it in the Best of British campsites.
Home today. The first morning I had to queue for the shower but that was probably because it was a bit later, 07:30
must be a popular time. Beans on toast for breakfast and then we headed for home.
Glastonbury has a magical feel and the campsite was so good we plan to vote for it in the Best of British campsites.
| The Crescent, Bath |
| Georgian garden |
| Roman Baths |
| Roman Baths statue |
| a pigeon taking the waters! |
| view from the terrace at Jamie's Italian Restaurant |
| The Circus, Bath |
| Bath weir |
We returned to the Edelweiss Restaurant for another very good meal and then headed back to the
campsite. Wells reclamation yard was en-route and we had passed it all week, each time saying we
must call in for a look. We spent an hour in heaven! Both of us like old stuff and there was plenty
there and all so interesting. But due to lack of transportation for heavy items and lack of funds for
anything else we just window shopped.
On the way back we stopped at a supermarket and bought scones, clotted cream and strawberry
jam to have a cream tea later, something we meant to do before but never managed to fit it in to
our schedule.
campsite. Wells reclamation yard was en-route and we had passed it all week, each time saying we
must call in for a look. We spent an hour in heaven! Both of us like old stuff and there was plenty
there and all so interesting. But due to lack of transportation for heavy items and lack of funds for
anything else we just window shopped.
On the way back we stopped at a supermarket and bought scones, clotted cream and strawberry
jam to have a cream tea later, something we meant to do before but never managed to fit it in to
our schedule.
| view to Bridgwater Bay from top of Cheddar Gorge |
| view of Glastonbury Tor from top of Cheddar Gorge |
To view any image full-size
just click on the thumbnail
just click on the thumbnail
Note: things to remember next time -
1. For fully serviced pitches like this one we need a length of hosepipe to connect one end to the mains water tap and the other end goes into the water
barrel then just turn on the tap and you have a full supply with no need to carry containers
2. Chairs that fold up into a tubular bag, very small and easy to stow, so Kenny can sit outside
3. Cool bag and ice packs so we can take lunch with us and not have to worry about finding somewhere to eat (saves money too)
4. Clothes dryer for drying towels which you really do not want to dry in the caravan due to too much moisture that can cause problems with damp
5. Plug in electric griddle/barbecue so Kenny can cook some dead stuff outside without having to worry about the inside of the caravan getting greasy
Julie
June 2009
1. For fully serviced pitches like this one we need a length of hosepipe to connect one end to the mains water tap and the other end goes into the water
barrel then just turn on the tap and you have a full supply with no need to carry containers
2. Chairs that fold up into a tubular bag, very small and easy to stow, so Kenny can sit outside
3. Cool bag and ice packs so we can take lunch with us and not have to worry about finding somewhere to eat (saves money too)
4. Clothes dryer for drying towels which you really do not want to dry in the caravan due to too much moisture that can cause problems with damp
5. Plug in electric griddle/barbecue so Kenny can cook some dead stuff outside without having to worry about the inside of the caravan getting greasy
Julie
June 2009
| view from the caravan |