I am proud to be a Companion of Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury, a place to wander, sit, contemplate and simply be.

Chalice Well is one of the best loved, most ancient wells in England. Pilgrims come to visit from all over the world, to drink its sacred waters and sit in its peaceful gardens.
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Last year I visited almost every month during the summer for the Full Moon music events held on the lawn, always a relaxed yet celebratory evening. And I have been to the Imbolc and Beltane meditations at the well itself, usually very popular events but beautifully done.

Ark Redwood is the head gardener in the gardens, and he wrote (among others) a wonderful book called The Art of Mindful Gardening, which I read in raptures. The book takes you through the year, celebrating the seasons and giving mindfulness exercises to do while performing everyday gardening tasks. 

The photos below take you through the gardens, from the pool at the bottom, in the shape of Chalice Well with the two intertwining circles, up to the waterfall and the pool in which you can paddle or bathe, up to the drinking water fountain, through the abundant flowers to the well itself, a place of quiet contemplation, and up again to the top of the garden,
with views of Glastonbury Tor.

I saw an awe-inspiring sight.
At sunset on the marshes.
Thousands of starlings swarmed the skies.
An immense wave.
I felt a slight glint of fear underneath my delight.
Something so big, so many, so powerful.
Nature has a distinct way of being beautiful and fear-inducing at the same time.

Nature is thriving abundance, where all creatures live in harmony
Nature is ancient, like the timeless hills and marshes
Nature is never-ending variation and always surprising
Nature is the unknown mystery... what lies beneath?

Nature is magical, one can just imagine hobbits or fairies living here. 
Nature is art, a portrait of imperfect perfection.
Nature is Soul Food, cleansing the spirit and nourishing the body.
Nature is always giving, gently and infinitely.