Let it rain. Glastonbury and Bath.

Stream of lights.  Cruising up the M5 - outward bound for Mistletoe country - Glastonbury and Bath - Somerset.

Stream of lights.  Cruising up the M5 – outward bound for Mistletoe country – Glastonbury and Bath – Somerset.

This time a-week-ago I was on my way to Glastonbury – and Bath in Somerset – to enjoy the abundant Mistletoe – and take-in some festive vibes from the Christmas Market that surrounds Bath’s golden heart – the Abbey.  My companions for the day were my two lovely sons – and nothing could dampen our spirits – not even the forecast for heavy rain.

Whicker Man - M5

Snatching the ‘Wicker Man’ – as the rain promised to hold-off for awhile.  (While Archie was at the wheel – not me!)

Somehow the heavens opening over Bath added to the experience by reflecting everything back – the pavements in Bath really were paved with gold.  

Pavements of Gold.

Pavements of Gold.

Our first stop was Glastonbury – for a festive foray around the quirky shops – it was grey overhead but the rain held-off for awhile…

Yin Yang - Glastonbury

I fell for a life-size Raven sculpture in here! My generous, hardworking eldest son paid half as an impromptu Christmas present – Thanks Arch! I’ve called my striking Raven – ‘Tor’.

For Dad - for Grandpa asleep at home.  Lighting a candle in St. John's Church - Glastonbury.

For Dad – for Grandpa asleep at home. Lighting a candle in St. John’s Church – Glastonbury.

From colourful Glastonbury High Street – it was onward and upwards to the Tor.  My ever patient sons stayed cocooned in Archie’s all-too-cosy and comfortable car listening to ‘Heart’ – while I enjoyed a solitary walk to the Avalon Orchard at the foot of the evergreen hill.  In the dimsy light – the orchard seemed more magical than I ever remember – and what a treat to have it all to myself apart from a chorale of crows.  The grass was soaked – and so too were my boots in a very short time – but it didn’t matter – I just absorbed the tranquility and the rain – if I could have stopped time – I would have stopped it right here…

Inside the Avalon Orchard - Glastonbury Tor.

Inside the Avalon Orchard – Glastonbury Tor.

Everywhere – there where windfalls lying in the sparkling grass – huge red and gold orbs ready for harvesting.  A number of the apples were decayed – brown and half-eaten on their underside – but many were perfectly acceptable – so I gratefully gathered a bagful to take home for my ailing, bed-bound ninety-two year old father – a bag of priceless rubies and gold.  He has been dying for a long time now – but every now and then he rallies a bit – and nevermore so than when he has some stewed Glastonbury Apples from the Avalon Orchard. He is just skin and bone now – disappearing before our eyes – but he still eats just a ‘mouseful’ a day. Quite a few years ago now – when he was relatively fit and active – he had a pace-maker fitted – but now that he is dying of cancer and great old age – his mechanised heart won’t be still – it won’t let him go…

I have a picture in my head of his heart remaining in the middle of his bed; when the rest of him has withered away and gone to dust – it will still be beating.

Windfalls from Avalon Orchard - Glastonbury.

For Dad – windfalls from Avalon Orchard – Glastonbury.

When I got back to the car – I noticed a Hawthorn leaf had attached itself to me – so I peeled it off and pressed it between two receipts and put it in my wallet for safe keeping; the perfect souvenir of a blissful moment in time never to be forgotten.  One can’t stop time even if one wants to – but there are ways to remember its passing.

Holy Thorn - Glastonbury.

Preserved.

Ball of Mistletoe against a leaden sky - the forecast for Bath was rain...

Ball of Mistletoe against a leaden sky – the forecast for Bath was rain…

Bath was resplendent in the rain – and even though I looked like a disheveled drowned rat come-up from the country – with squelchy boots and rat-tails for hair – I immensely enjoyed elegant, sartorial Bath City Centre.  The rain poured down – every drop a sparkling diamond as they fell on a sea of umbrellas.

Southgate in the rain.

Pouring it down in Southgate.

The pavements were like mirrors – reflecting the Christmas lights and doubling them.  Bath was a wet, winter wonderland  – and we were soaked – joyful – but hungry!

Bath Abbey.

Bath’s beating heart – The Abbey.

Christmas all wrapped up for Wagtails roosting in the city centre.

Christmas all wrapped up for Wagtails roosting in the city centre.

Bath Christmas Market.

Not dampened either! Another cheery face in the Christmas Market reminding me of my wild friends.

And face of an old friend who exemplifies the magic and poignancy of Christmas.

And face of an old friend who exemplifies the magic – and poignancy of Christmas past and present.

Bath doorway.

For Archie – home from home.  My favourite Bath portal all aglow for Christmas.

I treated my boys to a juicy burger from the Christmas Market – while I had a ‘poor man’s’ burger – a bap with ‘just’ fried onions! Nothing has ever tasted that GOOD!  It was delicious – even though it was probably tainted with beef fat; ‘when in Rome’ and all that!  I just went with the flow – and let the Christmas Spirit of Bath in the rain – wash over me. I didn’t buy much apart from a cheap and cheerful, super-blingy brooch of a spider in her web – that sparkles like the sparkliest silver tinsel and cost just six pounds! 

The Bath Christmas Spider - embodiment of all that sparkled and glistered on our festive trip to Somerset.

The Bath Christmas Spider – embodiment of all that sparkled and glistered on our rain sodden, festive trip to Glastonbury and Bath in Somerset.

Mostly, we enjoyed window shopping and the lights and the festive atmosphere – and our burgers! However, I did spy a beautiful, Mistletoe-green sofa through a shop window and I’ve added it to my wish list…

I was like a child in a Dickens novel; nose metaphorically pressed up against the glass looking at things I can't afford!

I was like a child in a Dickens novel; nose metaphorically pressed up against the glass looking at things I couldn’t afford!

Be still my beating heart.  

Still-life for Dad – I wish him deepest peace.

Christmas greetings from 'Tor' and me...

Christmas greetings from ‘Tor’ and me…

I wish you a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bath Christmas Lights 2016

Bath’s Wish Star.  May all your wishes come true in 2017…

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Soundtrack for a magical day – Saturday -10th December 2016 – a timeless favourite.

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