Day 2: All in a Day's Drive

Today we really put Portia (our GPS) to the test. Somehow, somewhere, deep in her settings, she's decided that country back roads of the one-lane-walled-in-by hedgerows variety is the desired route for us and we end up with very scenic but very challenging drives.  We started off from our Warminster B&B at a late 9:30am heading to Glastonbury to climb its famous Tor.  Zig here, zag there, where are you going, Portia? Is this really the direct route or are you just playing with us? Luckily we were too late for any traffic and soon enough had the hill and small tower in sight. 

The Tor's a natural small steep hill with an old church tower on top that overlooks a once swampy Somerset countryside. It's recently become a new age hotspot; along with the group laying prone on their yoga mats that we tromped past, we happened to disturb a crystal-wielding she-statue standing dead-center inside the 6 foot-in-diameter tower. "Excuse Me." Humph! Twas a miracle back in the day when this clump of land was the only dry bit around, but medieval drainage works took care of that and no other miracles have really been seen here since!

We mistakenly thought we wanted to see Glastonbury Abbey so we walked on down to the town, coming across the pretty High Street first. Gorgeous flower baskets adorned every lamp post and store front, and colorful shops sold everything from New Age crystals to baby clothing. We ended up skipping the Abbey as it was in ruins and we had lots to do on the schedule! Next: Wells Cathedral.

Portia behaved herself on the way to Wells and offered up a straight shot and quick timing. We stupidly ignored her advice and followed the official tourist parking signs which left us with a 10-minute walk to the Catherdal from a pay parking lot but the sun had come out so bad thoughts were soon forgotten and everything looked pretty on our trek.

Wells was spectacular inside. Very clean lines, gorgeous vaulting, and the only scissor-arches used anywhere.

The world's 2nd oldest working clock has mechanical jousters fighting it out every 15 minutes, and an amazing Chapter House whose delicate fanned ceiling blew us away:

A couple more small sights in town then off again on a driving tour to Cheddar Gorge.

Yes, that Cheddar. Apparently the cheese    is made everywhere but there is a town called Cheddar and there's an amazing steep, narrow gorge one can drive through as well as a deep cave system for exploring. Amazing drive? You bet, Portia was gung-ho! First we swept up past leafy Ebber Gorge, then down a narrow single-lane track upon which a passing farmer and a dog-walker both gave us the Evil Eye. Then we climbed again to swan thru undulating pastureland before falling again to the A371 and the commercial and pleasantly tacky Cheddar Gorge entrance. Both hands were needed on the wheel so photo taking was limited but I did snap one:

By this time it was tea time and we were in a hurry to get to our B&B. Just a few more hair-raising car-meets-car-head-on situations and the farm roads led us to Harptree Court. Not only was their lemon cake reputed to be excellent, the accommodation promised to be grand. We just wanted to check in and luxuriate!

Somehow the Ferrari looks so much classier out front than our VW Golf!  

Our room is in the further 2nd story 1/2 round of windows, our bathroom has the balcony!

After tea was served in our room we strolled the grounds, armed with a hand-written map, to explore the lakes & follies, thick woods and grassy fields, walled flower garden & lily pad pond. So rested and gentrified from our meander, we forwent our gastro pub reservation for another quiet dinner in of pâté, Wensleydale cheese and wine, peacefully watching the sun set from our 2nd floor suite. Another great day.