Today was another choir day for the biggest Mutterer (like the day when I posted this) so I had four hours to kill while waiting for her to finish. Today they were going to be practising songs for a big Somerset Choir Spectacular, where they will join other childrens choirs from around the county and sing songs on an African theme. Each choir will take their turn to sing a song, and then they will all sing together…around 400 children! If the biggest Mutterer’s choir is anything to go by, it’s going to sound amazing!
Anyway, I digress. I decided that me and Ernest would get some exercise seeing as it wasn’t raining this time. So I parked the car and we walked to our destination:

Ernest looked a little concerned when I told him we would be walking right to the top of Glastonbury Tor. It’s hard to get an idea of scale when you are right up close to the tor, so I have borrowed this photo from the internet to show all of those who aren’t familiar with the tor, just what it looks like (I hope the owners of the photo don’t mind):

So we set off. Ernest can be quite a grumbler when he wants to be:

“Have I got to walk up ALL those steps?”
“Yes Ernest, and the others that are over the brow of the hill.”

“Are we nearly there yet?”
“Not far now Ernest. See? There’s the tower in the distance.”

“But I’m tired.”
“Well rest just for a minute, but it’s really not much further.”

“I can see it! I can see it!”

“I made it!!”

We spent about 15 minutes wandering around the top, and looking at the view.

Even Ernest had to agree it was worth the 300 steps we had climbed up. It’s very peaceful once you reach the top (apart from the noise of the main road which drifts up to you). Many people come up here to meditate and soak up the spiritual atmosphere. Others come to appreciate the beauty of our county as you can see for miles all around, even on a grey day like today.
Ernest was a little peckish so we sat by the tower while he had his elevenses.

There were a few other people milling around. Some hikers and their dogs, a few lone people, and two men in white robes (possibly Hari Krishnas judging by the painted symbol on their foreheads) and wellies…I guess it was too muddy for bare feet! The mood was tranquil and friendly. That was until the LOUD family arrived. Two boys with toy machine guns – complete with computerised sound effects – started charging up the steps and around the tower, oblivious to any one else who was there. They were eventually followed by the parents, obviously used to having to talk in such decibels as to hear themselves above the noise of the machine guns.
Ernest looked at me, I looked at him, and we agreed…it was time to go. The ambience had been shattered. He wasn’t sure he could tackle the 300 steps again, so I took pity, and gave him a lift in my bag:

And so, we come to the moment you have all been waiting for…where will Ernest’s travels take him next? When we got home, I put the names in my hat and let the biggest Mutterer do the draw…

And the winner is….drumroll please…..

Magic Mummy at The Frugal Family!!! So, Magic Mummy, please email me abby@bubsbears.com with your address and I will try and get Ernest in the post on Monday (but if not, it will be Tuesday!!).