I go to feed my soul ...

I go to lose my mind & feed my soul 

This well known quote describes how I live my life - I need spaces that feed my soul & am happy to seek them out on my own because I enjoy quiet & solitude. 

Solitude is when your inner voice speaks to you, how you ground yourself. 

You are familiar with my favourite local abbey Ruins - there is something there that draws me to it & I visit often when I need space. 

However, the gate is now shut for winter so a walk is needed to it & having the wrong shoes with me for the muddy road, on a whim I decided to visit Buildwas Abbey which is a mere 15 minutes away. 

The joy of driving in to the parking & being the only car & person there - absolute bliss. 

These places take on a different atmosphere when quiet; they almost resonate with their spiritual past & this is what feeds the soul. 

I have visited Buildwas Abbey less than a handful of times only, even though it is not far. This is a comprehensive history of this fascinating space, dating right back to the early 1100's. 

It was a Cistercian abbey with a 12th century church and an original Chapter House with interesting tiles on the floor. 

The tiles are small with many patterns & varied markings. If they could only speak & tell us of the interesting lives who have walked over them for centuries ... 

The vaulted ceilings on these side rooms are impressive but I always find the dark ones a little off putting. 

The River Severn is very close by & that would have supplied the Abbey with all their needs. 

I am glad I stopped off on a whim & even more pleased that I had the space entirely to myself, except for some squirrels who were darting about in the Autumn foliage. 

I hope you have enjoyed this return visit with me, thank you for stopping by, 

Dee