IA 2012: Somerset via St. Gildas’ Convent

After we arrived in London, we took a train to Somerset, where we lodged at the local Christian retreat center of St. Gildas’, which used to be a Catholic monastery. When we visited, it was still maintained by a kindly priest, who greeted us with tea and cookies. The monastery was a really cool place to stay, and we all enjoyed walks in the nearby pastures. We worshiped on Sunday with our friend Andy Graham and his family and friends. Their church invited us to a wonderful picnic afterwards, where we feasted like Hobbits. On Monday we headed to Cornwall where we stayed 4 nights at the Coverack Youth Hostel. From there we did several day trips and explored the Cornish coast. Our Cornish adventures included King Arthur’s legendary birthplace (Tintagel), the island fortress of St. Michael’s Mount, and Kynance Cove. On Friday we headed back east by train to Oxford, where we stayed 6 nights at the Oxford Youth Hostel. From Oxford we explored C.S. Lewis’ home, toured Magdalen College, attended a play in Stratford upon Avon, and took a day trip to London. Finally, we returned to London and spent the night at a hotel before returning home.