The monks had it pretty good...

...well, except for the fact they had to wake up at 2am, there were only two fires in the entire abbey, they had to give up all worldly possessions, etc., etc.

During Eliot's parents' visit, we went to the Tintern Abbey ruins about an hour northeast of us. Founded in 1131, it was the first Cistercian foundation in Wales (and the second in the UK). Tintern surrendered to Henry VIII in 1536 and the buildings eventually fell into disrepair. It was rediscovered in the 18th century, which is when William Wordsworth wrote a poem about the abbey. Blah blah history blah blah poetry blah blah...here are some pretty pictures!

© ELA Photography

(The abbey was as beautiful and serene as it looks. Completely peaceful.)