Many people think that my weakness is LOTR. Truth is, as much as I love Tolkien's world, I am much more given to Arthurian stories set in mysterious celtic backdrops. I've read most of the tales of Camelot, and the best ones several times over (there, I finally confessed). My favorite series is called the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead…and today I visited the land from wince his inspiration came. I had hoped for two things while in the Southwest of England and both came to pass today.

FIRST, I wanted to find a hidden gem of a restaurant with kingly meals in a small English-like tavern setting (you know, something like the Inn of the Prancing Pony). CHECK!! We ate in the Pilgrim's Inn last night in Glastonbury, England (not on google J). Instead of the normal meal, we ordered "boards" to share. I was hesitant, thinking it might not be enough to feed this hungry gang of mine. So I order two boards with a side of nachos and cheese chips for filler. Quick as you know, out come these two wooden platters filled to overflowing with chicken, succulent slice of roast beef and ham, cheeses (blocks of brie, blue, cheddar, and others I can't name!), fruits, pickled onions, meat spreads, chutneys, pork pies, fresh vegetables, and more. Unreal! We ate to we were absolutely stuffed and probably only made if through half the food. The nachos remained untouched!

SECONDLY, I was hoping to find an old relic-of-a-place connected to the legends of King Arthur, and was told that Glastonbury was the place to go (legendary location of the isle of Avalon and King Arthur's tomb). I was not disappointed. After that amazing meal, we are directed to the hilltop Tor of Glastonbury. It is a massive single tower set on the top of a hill overlooking the sea to the west and rolling hills of the Shire (at least to me) to the East. As we approach the Tor, we felt as if we were walking the land of legend. This had to be the inspiration for the Tor of King Avallach (you have to read the book J). "Wow" is all I can say. We snap a ton of pictures up there and a hippy in camo plays a pan flute in the background. It was truly epic.

All in all, a good day. We checked off all our desired destinations for Wednesday, July 14. Avebury Stonehenge- CHECK, Bath - CHECK, Glastonbury - CHECK, and Atlantic Ocean (Celtic Sea) - CHECK.

Tomorrow we head into London for a day or two and our first Couch "surfing" experience.