1993 Glastonbury visits

Time for the next installment in my diary of my Glastonbury visits. 1993. Four visits but two of them were overnight stops.

Sat 10th Apr 1993, visit 19

"Went to Glastonbury with Charlotte. We went via Avebury where we had 1 1/2 hours pottering round and visiting the Henge Shop, and having tea in Stones. We left there at 10.45 and got to G about 12.05. Climbed the Tor first and then went to the Chalice Well and White Spring. The new waterfall at the Chalice Well looks very nice and I think the Tor footpath will be completed. We then had lunch in Rainbow's End (Pizza and salad) and then shopped for the rest of the afternoon. I bought lots of cards and a few bits including  a new sculpture by Phillipa, "Delphine". We finished up with tea at the Abbey Tea Rooms. Left just after 6. We had a half hour stop at dusk in Avebury for a drink and wander. Got home about 9".

When I first started going to Glastonbury there wasn't a paved path all the way up the Tor like there is now and it was obviously still being worked on when we went this time. 

The new flowform waterfall by the Vesica pool in the Chalice Well gardens, completed.

Display of Phillipa Bowers sculptures in The Goddess and the Green Man.

Sat/Sun 10/11 Jul 1993, visit 20

Charlotte and I went down to Somerset for the weekend and stayed at the Unicorn Light Centre.

Sat 10th Jul 1993

Went to Somerset with Charlotte. We left about 8.40 and went via Avebury where we stopped for tea in Stones and to visit The Henge Shop. We got to Glastonbury about 12 and left our things at the Unicorn, and went to Wells. We went round the market and had lunch in Whole Earth, had sweet and sour veg. then we visited the cathedral and a craft fair and paused at a pub. Then we went to Wookey Hole caves which were better even than I remembered. The man who took us round was really amusing. We had tea and cakes then drove to South Cadbury Castle and walked all round the bank. We had a pub meal before heading back to Glastonbury to climb the Tor and watch the sun set. We had a walk round looking for a cafe but they had all closed so we spent the rest of the evening at the guest house.

Sun 11th Jul

Woke just before 8. we had a stroll to Wearyall Hill before breakfast. Spent the morning in Glastonbury. We visited the Chalice Well gardens and did some shopping, I bought more than I had intended. We then went on to Cheddar which was very busy but well worth visiting. Had baked potato for lunch, then went in Gough's cave which was beautiful. We then climbed Jacob's Ladder and walked along the gorge, the Tor was visible. Then visited Cox's cave, We left about 5 and stopped at Stanton Drew but the stone circles were closed. Came home via Bath and got home at 8.

I bought a blue and turquoise patchwork dress in Margaret Kimber and I still have it, it is one of my favourite garments ever.

Sunset from the Tor


Wearyall Hill on Sunday morning.


The Vesica pond and new waterfall.

Me 1993! My hair is just about that long again now. I had it cut in 1995 but have been growing it again since January 2005.

Sat/Sun 31st Jul/1st Aug 2003, visit 21
The only time I have ever camped in Glastonbury

Sat 31st Jul
"Alarm went off at 5.30- but it was to go to Glastonbury. My taxi was late but I got all my connections so I was down there at 10.50. Had a cup of tea then sat on Abbey car park wall to wait for L and D- they arrived at 11.40. We went shopping first- bought loads. We got sandwiches for lunch and ate them in the Abbey ruins and had a long wander there. Then went to the campsite at Ashwell Farm. It was lovely, lots of alternative types and right under the tor. Put my tent up then climbed the Tor (it took 15 minutes from the campsite). Then went down to the White Spring and back over the Tor- took just over an hour. Pottered around on campsite in eve. There were lots of people on the Tor even when it got dark. The moon was out too.

Sun 1st Aug

Woke about 5.30 and opened the outer flap of my tent so I could see the Tor. It was a bit misty and there were people up there. Kept an eye on it and dozed until 8.20. Went up there with L before breakfast. Took my tent down after breakfast and we went to the Chalice Well and spent half an hour there. Also had another quick wander round the shops. My bus to Bath was a bit late. Had a quick trip to Arcania* whilst in Bath. Had to get on a coach from Swindon to Didcot due to engineering. Got home about 5.15".

* Arcania is a new age shop in Bath which is still there.

The tor was really mystical early in the morning, there was a mist just over one end of it. So what did I buy.. cards as usual, unicorn t-shirt, tapes, and a book of Celtic iron on transfers.

Cave in the White Spring wellhouse.

Mist forming at the end of the tor, 5amish Sunday morning.

Me on the campsite.

Sat 6th Nov 1993, visit 22

"Alarm went at 5.30. Taxi arrived at 6.30 but it was to go to Glastonbury! Went down via Bath and Wells so was there about 10.50. I shopped first with a pause in Rainbow's End for lunch- tomato and courgette bake with couscous. Finished the shops at 1.30 and spent pm in my favourite places. I climbed the Tor and stayed up there quite a while despite it being windy. There was someone singing up there and the views were misty and autumnal. Then I had a cup of tea at the White Spring. Then visited the Chalice Well gardens which were lovely and peaceful, in autumn colours. I popped back to Margaret Kimber to buy a skirt, then had time for a quick wander round the Abbey ruins. I went back via Bristol which I haven't done since Oct 92! Got home about 8, shattered!".

My first ever visit to Glastonbury was in November so I always like going back then, autumn is my favourite season. For a while in the early 90's, I used to go down via Bath and Wells and back via Bristol as the buses and trains connected better that way. Now there is a bus every half hour from Bristol so I always go down that way.

Autumnal view from the start of the path up the Tor.

Autumnal Chalice Well gardens

Summer in the gardens

After a wet day yesterday, though we did manage a woodland walk last night, it is a lovely late summers day, warm but not hot (I hate heat), and in the mornings and evenings there is just a hint of that magical autumn tang in the air. Autumn is my favourite season and September my favourite month. On days like this I long to be wandering in the Chalice well gardens, sitting a while in my favourite spots. So lets have a virtual walk :)

I'm back, and some photoshopped and picniked piccies

Had a very busy two weeks as my friends Marta and Dana were over from Switzerland and stayed with me for some of the time. We had a lovely time with lots of outingd, which of course included an Avalonian sojourn staying at Little St. Michaels. I do love staying there and being able to go out into the gardens at any time. We sat on one of the swing seats after dark waiting for a very heavy shower to pass two Mondays ago and it was magical.

Visits posts to resume soon but in the meantime have some prettyfullness, some photos altered with Photoshop, Picnik and GIMP. I was so happy when a Mac version of GIMP became available :))


Lots of tors


The lions head at the Chalice Well




Chalice Well gardens collages


Raining towers!




And Picnik has some cool space textures at the moment

Glastonbury 1992, visits 12-18

1992 Glastonbury visits

This is still the year I visited most to date- 7 times! 

Tue 24th March 1992, visit 12

"Up at 5.15 to go to Glastonbury with Julie. Her dad gave us a lift to the station. We got the 7.25 train so were in Bristol in time for the 9.03 bus - arrived in Glastonbury at 10.15. We went up the Tor first but were defeated in the last 10 yards! Then we went to the Chalice Well gardens where lots of flowers were out. We went to Crystal Cave, then had broccoli crunch for lunch in Rainbow's End. Then did lots of shopping, with a tea break in Rainbow's End. We had a brief stop at the Abbey before getting the 4.19 bus. Got home about 8.10, had a cup of tea and a bath".

We went down my usual way by train and bus. It was sunny, cold and windy, too windy to make it all the way up the Tor. I took about 24 photos and bought a few things as usual!  Lots of cards, a pair of picture boots with the Tor on them which are still going strong 15 years later, Moon Flower sculpture by Phillipa Bowers and she gave me a small gold Gaia sculpture as a gift, both still on display in my bedroom. The man who owned Pandora at the time, James, was lovely. He knew his regular customers and always had a chat. he told me I have a rainbow aura. 

Me windswept on the Tor!

Low wintery sun at the Abbey


Fri 8th May 1992, visit 13

"Got up at 5.30 but it was worth it - I went to Glastonbury! I got all my connections so was there at 10.15. It was too windy to go up the Tor so I walked round it instead. Spent quite a bit of time in the Chalice Well gardens  & went in the rural life museum where I had a cup of tea. Then I did my shopping, I had saved £70.00 for shoes, Glastonbury chalice and some Star Child oils. Had macaroni cheese and veg for lunch in Rainbow's end. Pandora had a beautiful pewter unicorn and they are reserving it for me. Had a wander round the Abbey and a cup of tea before getting the bus. Got home about 8.15, had a bath and fell into bed exhausted".

I bought cards as usual, and  a pair of picture shoes which again I still have. Also a Glastonbury Chalice made by Phillipa Bowers, and a pair of bronze Chalice Well earrings. It was too windy to go up the Tor again so I walked all the way round the bottom of it, following some of the paths of the labyrynth. 

Path along the side of the Tor

Display of Phillipa Bowers' sculptures in "The Goddess and the Green Man

Sat 6th June 2002 visit 14.

I went down by bus via the bus from Bath to Wells, where I changed for Glastonbury. It was a flying visit to collect the unicorn which was reserved for me, I spent the rest of the day in Wells.

"Woke at 5 again to go to Wells and Glastonbury. It was pouring when I set out. Got the 9.05 bus from Bath to Wells and changed straight onto a bus to G. I only had an hour there but I bought a few things, but best of all was my reason for going there, to collect my wrought iron unicorn. It is really beautiful with the Tor, moon stars and Chalice Well. I also bought two more small Phillipa Bowers' sculptures". 

After that I went back to Wells and spent the day there. The two sculptures were a small Goddess of the Tor and a pale turquoise Harvest Goddess. Once again I still have them- and the unicorn of course!

Not a very good photo- I'll have to try and remember to take another one- but this is the unicorn.

Wed 15th Jul 1992, visit 15

"Misjudged my alarm, it went off at 4.15. So I got up at 5.15 to go to Glastonbury. Journey was smooth, got 7.28 train from Didcot and 9.03 bus. Met a very nice lady called Mary on the bus and we travelled back together too. Got to Glastonbury about 10.20. Went up the Tor first & it was really uplifting up there, really good energies. Then I went to the Chalice Well gardens which were really peaceful, then up to Wearyall Hill. Did some shopping, had Greek cheese pie and salad in Rainbow's End then finished my shopping.  I spent ages in Pandora and Margaret Kimber. Had a cup of tea then went to the Abbey before getting the bus home. Journey home OK, I got the 6.15 train and was home just after 8".

I bought mainly cards and also an Egyptian cat sculpture in blue by Phillipa.

This kitten was exploring, walking along a wall at the Chalice Well.

Peter Pracownik's shop, Albion Gallery, in Northload Street.

Sat 15th Aug 1992, visit 16

"Woke at 6. Went to Glastonbury for the day with Val and Paul. I met her new kittens Vicky and Candy first. We left at 9.15 and went down via the motorway, arriving at 11.45. We had tea in the Abbey Tea Rooms first then visited the Abbey ruins. Then we had lunch in Blue Note- quiche and salad. Then we went for a walk over Chalice Hill and up the Tor. There were loads of people up there. We had tea at the White Spring then visited the Chalice Well gardens. Saw some lovely cuddly toy cats and dolphins, maybe next time. Left about 6.15 and came home via Bath, arrived about 8.40. Had a bath and collapsed in bed, it was a lovely day though".

I worked with Val in my last job- we were friends as soon as we met. Paul is her husband. When we were on the Tor someone had one of those little plastic soldiers with a toy parachute which they launched into the air. I noticed that a lot of people were all watching and speculating as to where it would land!

Flow inside the wellhouse at the White Spring Aug 92

Carved figures on the wall in the Glastonbury Experience


Sat 3rd Oct 1992, visit 17

"went to Glastonbury for the 17th time! Alarm went at 5.45 and it was a mad scramble to be at the bus stop by 6.10. I went down via Bath and Wells as I would have had 3 minutes to run for the bus in Bristol. A one day rover on the bus was £4.10. Got to G at 10.50 and Linda had just arrived. We went round the shops first and bought lots of things.  Stayed within spending limits though and came back with £10.00. We had lunch in Rainbow's End, both had spicy veg and rice. Then we went for a walk over Chalice Hill and up the Tor then to the White Spring tearoom. Then to the lovely Chalice Well gardens. The view from the Tor was wonderful. We went back to Margaret Kimber so I could get a dress I had seen earlier. Got the 4.20 bus and I was home at 8.30. It was mainly dry except for a shower at Chalice Well but wet at home. Had a bath and flopped into bed"

I bought tapes, lots of cards, hair toys, oils from Star Child, and the dress. Which I no longer have which is a shame as it was a lovely purple and green hippy dress.

Me on the tor and in the gardens.


Sat 19th/Sun 20th Dec 2002, visit 18

Sat 19th Dec

"Got up at 5.45 to go to Glastonbury for the weekend. Txai came at 6.20! I was in Bath for 8.40 so got 9.05 bus to Wells and was in G at about 10.40. I was staying at the Unicorn Light Centre on Wearyall Hill. So I went there first. My room was no. 1 with a view of the Tor and there were crystals and unicorns all over. I went back into town and wandered round shops, then met Linda at 12 and we did some shopping and had lunch in Rainbow's End. I had pizza and salad. Linda went at 2.30 and I put my shopping at the hotel then went to the Chalice Well Gardens. They are redoing the waterfall. Climbed the Tor and had tea at the White Spring. then finished my shopping. Got back to hotel about 6.15 and spent even pottering around and had a bath"

Sun 20th Dec

"Woke a couple of times in the night and I could make out the Tor. The hotel cat sat on my lap while I was having breakfast. Left hotel at 9.45. Went to the thorn and right onto Wearyall Hill first. Then went to the Abbey and spent nearly an hour there. Had tea and tea cake at the Abbey Tea rooms. Then had  a final wander round the shops. Got a bus at 12.35 to Bath and got home about 4.30. Spent eve unpacking, washing hair etc. The Unicorn Light Centre was lovely, I will stay there again".

I remember hoping it would snow all weekend but it didn't, I have never seen Glastonbury in the snow. I felt a bit flat some of the time I was there for some reason. I also forgot my reading glasses so I wasn't able to read for long (these days I wouldn't be able to read at all without them!). I bought more cards and oils from Star Child, and a Goddess calendar. I did stay at the Unicorn Light centre again in 1993 but it has closed now.

The view from my window at the Unicorn Light Centre

Work in progress on the new waterfall by the Vesica Pool in the gardens

1991 Glastonbury visits

My 1991 Glastonbury visits, the early 90's were the time I went most often each year (though I usually manage 4-5 times a year now)! These entries were my written diary entries from the time, and once again this is a copy of the entry on my web site

Mon 4th Feb 1991, visit 7

"Set out to go to Glastonbury for an overnight visit- but it turned out to be just for the day! I was in Bristol by 9 due to getting earlier trains than planned and as a consequence got the 10.02 bus, arriving at 11.15. I went to the guest house, but no-one was in, so I went back to Pandora and had lunch in Rainbow's End, baked potato, salad and tea. Then I went back to the guest house but still no-one was in. So I went up the Tor  (I had it all to myself) and to the Chalice Well gardens. Then IO decided to do the shops, then come home. So that is what I did. Isis now has a new room of Phillipa Bowers' figures, &Albion Gallery now has a new shop, and there is a new handmade shoe shop. I bought lots as usual. Got the 4.17 bus and 6.15 train and was home- exhausted- at about 8. I now know I can go there for the day. There was snow about but not at Glastonbury"

This was the first time I went on my own. I was supposed to be going with a friend but she was ill and not able to go. As well as having the Tor all to myself I also had the gardens all to myself. There was only one bus an hour to and from Bristol in 1991, they are half hourly now. I bought mainly cards, lots of them! I still have them all, I keep my visionary art and unicorn cards in scrapbooks and have accumualated quite a few over the years.

I had the Tor all to myself!

Thur 28th March 1991, visit 8

I was staying with a friend who lives in London and who I have now lost touch with. I stayed with her on the Wednesday night and we drove down to Glastonbury for  the day via Stonehenge.

"We were all up early so we left at 8. We went to Stonehenge first and walked around- you can't get near the stones though, and looked in the shop. Then we went on to Glastonbury. We arrived about 11.30. We did some of the shops, then stopped for lunch, then did the rest of the shops. Then we went to the Abbey ruins and spent quite a bit of time there. Then to the Chalice Well and I went up the Tor. I meditated for a bit up there. We left about 4.30".

I bought lots of cards, a lovely embroidered turquoise skirt which I wish I still had, silver jewellery, and books. Peter Pracownik was in his shop, Albion Gallery and I bought some of his cards which he signed. It was a lovely spring day.

Drinking well water at the Lion's Head

Friday 19th July 1991, Visit 9

"Had my long awaited day in Glastonbury. Had to get up at 5.30am  to get a bus from home at 6.30 but I got the 9.02 bus from Bristol so was in Glastonbury at 10.15. Went up Wearyall Hill first and had it all to myself, then to the Tor and Chalice Well. I started shopping just after 12 and took 3 hours over the shops! I spent my birthday money on a unicorn. Had pizza and salad for lunch in Rainbow's end. When I had finished shopping I went to the Abbey ruins and wandered round there, very peaceful. I got thr 4.15 bus 6.15 train and was home at 8.15. It was a lovely day except weatherwise".

I looked forward to this day for about a month before hand. My trips really had become pilgrimages by then. I took two films, in those days it seemed a lot to take 72 photos on one day (these days I can take a couple of hundred easily, I love digital photography!). It wa a cloudy day, and cool but that didn't really matter. I bought lots of cards as usual, the unicorn was a unicorn colt which is really sweet, and I bought a Phillipa Bowers sculpture, Ceridwen- I love her work.

Sat 12th Oct 1991, visit 10

"Went to my spiritual home (ie Glastonbury) with Charlotte. We left at 8.15 and stopped at 9.30 at Avebury for 20 minutes, we were going to have tea but the restaurant wasn't open. We got to G;astonbury at 11.30. We went in some of the shops before lunch. Phillipa Bowers new shop, "The Goddess and the Green Man" is lovely. We had lunch in Rainbow's End (pasta and salad) then went round the rest of the shops until 3.30. Then we went round the Abbey ruins and to the Chalice Well and Tor. I took some photos of the insides of shops and the shadow of the Tor. The well house tea shop at the foot of the Tor had reopened and has a crystal shop. We left about 5.45 and got home about 8.15. It was a lovely day and Charlotte enjoyed it and says she will go back".

The White Spring was open the first time I went to Glastonbury but then it closed for a while. The tea shop and little shop there were open for a few years. I bought mainly cards, plus a pair of black trousers with patches all over them. We drove the pretty way via Avebury, Devizes, Frome, Trowbridge and Shepton Mallet. (I don't drive which is why a lot of my trips are by public transport).

I lost touch with Charlotte, but in 2009 we got back in touch again and now meet a couple of times a year along with our mutual friend Prudence.

Me in Rainbow's end

Sun on the Tor and the shadow of the Tor

Me at the Chalice Well

Fri 20th Dec 1991, visit 11

"My alarm went at 5! Got up that early to go to Glastonbury. I got a taxi at 6, was in Didcot by 6.30, Bristol at 8.30 and Glastonbury at 10.15. Went to Wearyall Hill first to see the thorn but had to abandon the attempt as it was too windy! Went to the Abbey and took lots of photos then did some shopping. Had pizza and salad in Rainbow's end, then did the rest of the shops, got some lovely things as usual. Met Linda at 2 and and we went to the Chalice Well gardens. We didn't go up the Tor as the wind would have blown us off. We had tea at the white spring and a cat made friends. Left on the 4.20 bus and got home just after 8. Glastonbury was decorated a bit, and the thorn was in leaf (saw the one at the Abbey and in the churchyard)"

It was my first Christmas visit and it looked lovely there all decorated. It was very windy which is why I didn't attempt the Tor. I met Leonard Sleep, the then Guardian of he well at the Well. I bought a lot of things as usual, the most noticeable being an eggcup with a Holy Thorn leaf painted on it, and a model of the lid of the well which are still on my Glastonbury shelf. I also bought a black and gold Moon Goddess by Phillipa Bowers, she had made a small batch in black and gold which were beautiful.

Glastonbury Experience looking festive

Me at the White Spring Dec 91