We awoke to glorious sunshine and made our way down to the breakfast room. I was pleasantly surprised to find that some items were available to select from the buffet rather than to order. This included a fresh fruit salad served in a sealed Kilner jar. The fresh fruit option is one of my favourite breakfast choices when I am on holiday. A full cooked breakfast was available to order but, as usual, I only selected a few items from the menu.

Suitably replete, we set off towards the Fleet Air Arm Museum for which had booked a ticket and timeslot as required by current Covid-19 restrictions. We had time to kill so we drove past the museum ending up in the delightful village of Huish Episcopi. Mr C parked to allow me a photo opportunity of the church. Whilst deciding on the best angle to photograph the church, I noticed the war memorial and and a sign that indicated we were only a few miles away from Muchelney Abbey, a place  we enjoyed on our previous stay in Sherborne.

After taking advantage of my photo opportunity we returned to Fleet Air Arm Museum where we spent over three hours. My favourite items in the museum were; the Short ST17 with its flimsy wings and rattan bucket seat (a crazy prospect for flying) and a Concorde prototype which we were able to board and observe how tiny the cabin compartment is.

We had lunch in the museum before heading towards Glastonbury with a view to walking up to the Tor or perhaps visit the Chalice Well Garden. We quickly changed our mind when we saw how busy both Glastonbury and the Tor were. There was a queue to visit the well and a swarm of people looking like ants on Glastonbury Tor.

We had a rethink and drove to Burrow Mump where we climbed to see the ruins of St Michael’s church and the spectacular views from the top of the mound. After this adventure it was time to return to our hotel and freshen up before our evening meal in The Grange Hotel at Oborne. It was a fine dining experience; I chose Duck Leg with fondant potato and spicy red cabbage, followed by Chocolate Torte with Orange and Berries. There was a slight hiccup with the wine not arriving at the table but when we pointed this out the wine arrived within moments. We loved the place so much that we would like to stay there when we next visit the area.

We returned to the Eastbury where we got chatting to a couple about life, lockdown and that they were staying in the Eastbury due to winning a prize that including a stay in the other hotels in the Peter de Savary collection. From our conversation it seems that everyone has experienced the same trials and tribulations that working from home entails and the same losses and isolations due to Covid-19.

This former Jesuit church is a textbook example of Baroque style. It was built between 1650 and 1666. The iconic columns, pilasters and friezes give the facade the appearance of an altar. This ‘altar outside the church’ is one of the 7 wonders of Leuven. Inside there are several works of art to be admired including paintings of Erasmus II Quellinus. In addition to the paintings in the church, the communion rails and the rocaille pulpit are unique.*

The maverick Saint Michael by Ad Wouters.

Saint Michael is represented as a young man at the moment he is realizing that he has killed but killing is no solution. Reflecting on this he is at a crossroads in his life. He is standing there naked because nakedness expresses vulnerability and a possible turning-point. It dawns on Saint Michael that he must take another course in his life. Everyone has flaws, but everyone can steer his course in a new direction. That is why he breaks his sword. He no longer wants to kill. Killing is no solution. The sword must be hammered into tools useful to mankind and to eradicate poverty in particular. Saint Michael wants peace and no strife.

Louvain, 27th September 2009

*From Church & co leaflet