Black Down Evening Walk (Mendip Hills)

Friday 5th June 2020
I decided to drive and head up on to the Mendip Hills for dinner. Grey clouds loomed overhead while I remained optimstic of finding somewhere dry and out of the wind to test my stove setup.
A big THANK YOU to all of my recent subscribers and for helping me over the 400 mark. :-)
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#MendipHills #BlackDown #UKHiking
Thank you for watching.
Olly Parry-Jones - June 2020

[@WalkWithWallace]

Nice conditions. 😁 Sheep and horses wouldn't bother me, but cattle would definitely give me the fear for a wild camp. Wouldn't catch me going in that door. 😂

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Robin. I'm sure you've hiked and possibly camped through worse. ;-) But it was very unlike the 'Lockdown Weather' we've come to know and expect. I've heard the odd story about panicked cows getting caught in the guy lines and trotting off with the tent! Another fear of mine would be getting stamped or trampled on. A shame. There never used to be as many (or any) cows on this side of the gorge. I might return (with some facts) to correct my understanding of that door and it's purpose... But there's no way I'm treading inside! :-D Thanks for watching, for your comment and all the very best.

[@WyeExplorer]

What with the wettest start, the driest spring and Covid19 it's a pretty strange year Olly. Nothing strange about getting away from it all on top of them hills mind. The stove kit test didn't work out but you got to test out the jacket and fill yourself up with the natural chi energy that abounds in them parts. A good explore at the end there to. yeah back with a buzz. It never lets us down. All the best out there. Enjoyed that and the mention. Thanks, it's a pleasure to support you. Mark

[@WalksWithOlly]

It has been a strange year indeed, Mark and we're only just about to meet the halfway point. I look forward to whatever lies ahead! There are probably more springs in this area than I'm aware of - thinking about the subject of your recent video. I wish you well, Mark. You're very welcome as I always appreciate your support. All the best!

[@WyeExplorer]

@@WalksWithOlly That's true we're not at the half way point yet but nearby and who knows what lay ahead. Interesting things no doubt. I bet there are lots of springs coming out of them hills. My recent spring adventure was sweet tasting. I have another spring video coming up. Thanks for the appreciation. It's mutual.

[@shirleyc285]

Lovely vid, I go there often but never knew there was a secret door! Interesting stuff 🙂

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Shirley. I always think of it as being well known - but only because I was shown it as a teenager (in my memory, it was much taller than me...). Research since has told me I was wrong about its purpose. I might return there with my camera soon. All the best and hope you're keeping active.

[@BuscandoFauna]

An awesome place friend. Great video. Thanks for sharing it with us. Greetings and have a good week.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thank you very much and thank you for watching. I hope you're having a good week.

[@WalkingInside]

It is nice and lovely walking!!! Enjoyed it with pleasant!!! Thanks for sharing and stay connected~:)

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thank you, thank you very much for watching!

[@MartinPopeFilmmaker]

Fair play for going out in those conditions mate. We sometimes go out in that sort of weather as its nice and quiet & I love the drama of the clouds going over. I only asked my wife this morning if she wanted to go to Burrington Coombe on Sunday for a walk. Looks like we will be going now after watching this. The last time we went to Beacon Batch a few years ago we saw an adder. All the best Olly.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Martin. I kept looking at the sky as I drove across from Weston but I didn't seriously consider turning back. I hope you do get there today. Parking has been crazy in recent weeks but hopefully, the drop in temperature will keep many of them away. People often speak of the adders but I've never spotted one up here... Good thing as I'm terrified of them! ;-) All the best. Thanks for watching and I hope you're both keeping well.

[@4seasonbackpacking]

Nice tour of the Mendip Hills Olly. Richard

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Richard. I plan to head out there again soon. All the best and thanks for watching.

[@rooster7779]

I like this: “I’d rather be out here than watching Netflix.” Great video Olly. Atb. Gav.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Gavin! Hope you're keeping well. All the best.

[@JoeCoastal]

That's the point isn't it. Sometimes it's better to watch a real person show you some nice countryside than a some movie stars building their ego's.

[@DorsetPiper.]

Pleased you have an interesting and beautiful "private Dartmoor" close to home during these current times; so good to get out and recharge. Will check out Deans channel, already enjoy Marks channel. Cheers.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks very much for watching! It's easily avoidable on a summer weekend due to the masses who may flock here. But always enjoyable on an evening and through the winter. Glad to hear that you already follow Mark. All the best and thanks very much for watching.

[@JoeCoastal]

Nice one Olly. I swear by soft shell fleeces as a good mid layer, warm and wind resistant, but would always carry a waterproof too if rain is at all likely. Glad you didn't go through that door. That mud looked so deep.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Joe! Ah, good on you. I've gone off fleeces for the fact that I don't find them to be very breathable. I wanted this softshell also as windbreaker but without the insulation that only winter months demand. Haha, not only was the water deep but quite stagnant. It's also less than 6ft high inside and I'm 6ft1in! Turns out it was nothing to do with the mines at all - I might return soon and film another video about it. Thanks for watching and all the very best.

[@JoeCoastal]

@@WalksWithOlly I'd be interested if you went back and told us all about it. I don't know about your other viewers but I love an interesting story about days gone by. Didn't realise you were in Weston.I'm hoping to head up to Porlock way if circumstances allow soon. That's your neck of the woods isn't it?

[@WalksWithOlly]

@@JoeCoastal Porlock's not far away as the crow flies but a good hour or so of driving along the motrway and A roads. Fingers crossed that it's not too long before we can all travel a bit further.

[@solitaryrambler]

I've no doubt Mark will have helped to throw some more subscribers your way Olly, the sort of kind thing he'd do. I can see the likeness to Dartmoor on this walk, really rugged on Beacon Batch. Seeing that door in the woods reminded me of something from "The Enchanted Wood", one of those Enid Blyton novels I read as a kid :) A very nice walk again Olly, hope you managed to have something nice for your supper in the end :) Cheers, Patrick.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hi Patrick, There's definitely a sense of fantasy and wonder from seeing that door in the hillside. I first felt that in my teens, when it was usually locked shut. I don't remember what I ate in the end... It was possibly a takeaway so, yes, quite delicious! ;-) Thanks for watching and all the best.

[@solitaryrambler]

@@WalksWithOlly Can't beat a good takeaway Olly. I'm down your way next week, first time I've been able to visit Mum since before lockdown. All the best and have a good weekend :)

[@WalksWithOlly]

@@solitaryrambler There's a new chip shop opened up on Winterstoke Road (it used to be a carpet shop, I think) - portions look good! ;-) I'm glad you'll get to see your mum. Take care and have a good weekend too.

[@AlanMETALMAN]

Late start Olly and my running days are long passed but got to say, I am paying for all that running now with two really bad knees. I have a soft shell and it is one of my best buys for the outdoors, so flexible. Must admit, I would not fancy trying to get down Sidcot Swallet, looked dam small and no good for someone of my size and my knees. Cheers Alan

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Alan. I've heard of runners having knee trouble. I don't plan to embark on 20 mile runs; only 3 mile evening routes for fitness. I have a bit of trouble with my right knee anyway. Haha, I'm with you on Sidcot Swallet and many other holes around there! Hope you're keeping well. All the best and thanks for watching.

[@My24hradventure]

Hope you get the chance to wild camp. Looks like there are some great spots there. I wonder what's behind that door...., a pirates treasure?....naaa, its probably the rear entrance to Go Outdoors 😄😄😄. Sub'd!

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks very much for subbing back. I found your channel via recommendation in a Facebook group. There are plenty of spots to choose from - went up near there again yesterday. As soon as we're allowed!! ;-) All the best, thanks for watching.

[@My24hradventure]

@@WalksWithOlly I'm the same regards scouting for locations. I cant go for a walk now without thinking 'ooh,I could get a tent behind that tree there!' Thanks for letting me know about facebook - which group is it? I'm really intrigued 😄.

[@WalksWithOlly]

It might've been UK Thru Hikers? It's a very new group but one of the few I follow.

[@My24hradventure]

@@WalksWithOlly much appreciated thanks for letting me know!

[@rialobran]

Lockdown is lifting, winter is back :) Shame you didn't get to make your food, but I sympathise about sitting around in wet gear. I had one of those soft shells, careful with the zippers I found they failed after a couple of years, although to be fair I was quiet hard on it :)

[@WalksWithOlly]

Haha, it certainly seems that way, doesn't it! I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen conspiracy theorists rant about how the government are controlling the weather. I'm not a great fan of endless heatwaves and the need for suncream. I'm not worried about the zip... As everywhere else let the water through! :-D I bought it as a lightweight windbreaker but without all the added insulation that people wear on the high streets these days. I don't imagine it would last well on Dartmoor! Doesn't the Jinx live local to me? He must've been out at the same time!! Hope you're keeping well, Si. Thanks for watching and all the best.

[@rialobran]

@@WalksWithOlly Close enough that he'd only have had to look out the window for it to have rained there :)

[@cdwc]

Nice one Olly. That was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You captured the open space brilliantly. The mic on that DJI Osmo sounds good. I thought that door at the end was terrifying, I was desperate for you to shine a torch into it. Meanwhile I've just ordered a tent from the dodgy aliexpress as they are much cheaper, so will attempt camping soon. What sleeping bag do you recommend? I watched your South Down's way gear review again and you mentioned the Alpkit Cloud Cover. How are you finding it? P.S. Nice badge. Stay cool.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Marek. I think I captured more B-roll footage due to the lack of other people and I'm pleased with how I was able to cut it all together. Quite impressed with the Osmo also and how well a camera like this can capture rain drops etc. I did have a headtorch on me but... My hands were pretty cold, numb and the sight of two bats scared me a bit! Next time. Ah, which tent did you go for? I've used them once. Took 20 days from China and I'd use them again. I look forward to seeing more on that. I do still recommend the Cloud Cover - still one of the most lightweight options available in the UK. But I might still advise using a sleeping bag liner with it for colder nights. I still haven't tested the down bag I bought from Mountain Warehouse. Thanks very much for watching - and for the badge! Stay cool and all the best.

[@cdwc]

@@WalksWithOlly I went for the Mongar, which is basically a rip off of the MSR Hubba Hubba NX but £250 cheaper. Will see how it turns out. I was looking at the Lanshan which is a version of the Z packs Duplex but wanted something freestanding. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@WalksWithOlly]

@@cdwc Cool! I'm sure I've looked at (online) that one myself. I quite fancy the Could Peak, which is a clone of an expensive Hilleberg tent and also freestanding. I reckon you'll be pleased with it. They seem to be made from lighter materials than the likes of Vango but I imagine they'll be fine, as long as you don't go camping on Ben Nevis in the middle of a hurricane!

[@cdwc]

@@WalksWithOlly I'm going to start off in a back garden. They do a sleeping bag too which looks like it's ok.

[@WalksWithOlly]

I think Trev (Summit or Nothing) recently received their down sleeping bag - might be worth a look at the video he did recently!

[@RoadtrippinwithTakacs]

Nice hike even in the rain. 👍 Cool secret area with a doorway. Mining or Hobbit house? 🤔😁 It was green and beautiful there. Subscribed to follow your adventures (#442). I hope our channels grow together. 💪

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thank you very much indeed! That door and tunnel was in fact to do with waterworks back in the 1970s - I must go back and re-film it. Thanks very much for your support. All the best!

[@RoadtrippinwithTakacs]

@@WalksWithOlly Of course! You too. 👍