Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
Jude’s challenge this month is a bench with a view, naturally that’s impossible to resist. As far as I’m concerned, anywhere where there is a view of Lyme Bay is a winner and as it stretches for miles of Devon and Dorset there are loads of choices. This was taken on the south west coast path at Seatown , Dorset, where the Jurassic cliffs may reward you with a fossil or two if you’re patient and lucky.
Visit Jude here to join in.
The crunch of pebbles
beneath the retreating wave
hear the ocean’s force
Surrounding one of the best known holy wells in Britain is the Challice Well garden, a tranquil place to soothe the soul.
On Good Friday my friend and I spent a peaceful couple of hours wandering there. 
As far as plants are concerned I think I preferred my last visit which was in summer, but there was still plenty to see.
The garden is set on a gentle slope with Glastonbury Tor rising above, and as you walk upwards you eventually reach the well head. The waters have been know in the past as the Red Spring and the Blood Spring and legend tells that it represents the blood of Christ, springing from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea washed the cup used at the last supper. Others see the continuous spring of the life force.
The Lion’s Head fountain is the only place where the water is safe to drink. Even so, just a few drops are recommended for healing, with the homeopathic approach. Even though I’ve tried it before, I still had a sip and it tastes very strongly of iron.
Legend says tha Joseph of Arimathea visited Glastonbury with the Holy Grail and thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, which then grew into the original thorn tree. The thorn is unusual because it flowers twice a year, at Christmas and again at Easter. Each year a sprig is sent to the Queen.
(source Wikipaedia)
The Vesica Pool
The Vesica pool is shaped as a figure of eight, its seven bowls swirling down like a mountain stream.
Some bold colour outside of the shop.
The garden is protected and maintained by the Challice Well Trust, set up by Wellesley Tudor-Pole is 1959 and is open daily throughout the year, should you wish to visit, it is 20 minutes walk from the centre of Glastonbury.
My post is for Jo’s Monday Walk, if you click the link you will be able to join in and find lots of interesting walks.
Freckled like a maiden
your innocence astounds me
sweetest Lenten rose
Wooden benches have been the theme for Jude’s monthly challenge, this is my second entry, just in time. This one is situated along the mill leat path, part of the riverside country park in Exeter’s Green Circle. The Circle forms a green corridor to provide a haven for wildlife, and cycle and peaceful footpaths for everyone to enjoy. If you sit on this bench the leat runs through the wooded area behind you and in front there is a view of the stream that runs off to re-join the river Exe. Sometimes that’s a tiny trickle through mud!
It’s a nice walk with lots of ways out to make it as long or short as you feel like, this bench is often a turning point before heading back to the quay for a coffee, beer or ice cream.
There is still time if you have a wooden bench to share with Jude, or from April 1st the challenge is to photograph a bench with a view.
stride the path ahead
through nature’s springtime splendour
emerald England
This week the challenge is to share a photo or several that express ‘fresh’, and I’ve found it really difficult. I’ve seen lots of gorgeous images of flowers and food and I thought I would do the same. At last I came across this shot of a recently ploughed field, fresh and ready for seed.
So then I was able to make a link to the earth, with these colourful plants in the garden centre, ready for the soil.
And lastly, a tasty harvest from the earth.
You can join in and see lots more entries here.
Waiting for April
fresh blossom ready to bloom
blue skies and long days
Lucid Gypsy 