Draycott to Wookey Hole (West Mendip Way #4)

Sunday 9th January 2022
My final instalment in my series of walking the West Mendip Way. Officially, the route continues a bit further in to the city of Wells, while I stopped short near Wookey Hole, before heading back to the start in a 15 mile long day.
From Draycott, I followed for former course of the Mendip Way up around Batcombe Hollow, where I met the current route at Draycott Sleights. This walk continues through the village of Priddy, down through Ebbor Gorge and up to Arthur's Point.
In the future, I may document the East Mendip Way.
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Thanks for watching!
Olly Parry-Jones - April 2022

[@edouardosp-j9641]

Nice video Olly. 👍

[@lboutside]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos Olly, it's fantastic how well you highlight all these local places. I've been hoping to do the Butcombe Trail which I believe shares sections of the Mendip Way since coming across a marker for it but alas without a decent spell of dry weather I fear it's likely still a mudbath in many places! As for your revelation, the outdoors is a great place to mull things over and discover these new ways to re-frame things in our mind. Something great I once read was, "comparison is the thief of joy." Much like you I found myself coveting other peoples lives, people I didn't know, strangers in the street who from the outside seemed to have all the things I felt I wanted, along with family and friends who I perceived to be making more of their lives than I was. The funny thing was, when one of the people who I was so jealous of expressed very similar sentiments about how I was living my life, I realised that I think everyone has these feelings of wishing certain aspects of their life was different and that what really mattered was not to focus on the things I couldn't change but to make the most of the things I could and more importantly try to direct my energy towards the things that made me feel fulfilled. Sure, this is just coming from a person who doesn't know you and has never met you, I don't know the context behind your feelings nor should I be privy to them, but from the outside it seems you are on your own journey and you should be proud that you are doing things to take your live to more positive places 👍 take care of yourself, you're doing great.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hi Luke and thanks for watching and commenting. If you do the Butcombe Trail, apparently you can get a free T-shirt after visiting each of the pubs along the way... Don't know whether that's still available but a friend did it a few years ago. This is exactly it. Our minds can be our own worst enemies. Comparing ourselves to others. I see it a lot in others who have no awareness. At least have can start with that much. I sometimes find that being open about it helps but there's a lot to be said for acceptance in who and how we are. Thanks again, Luke and I hope you had a great weekend. All the best.

[@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233]

To recharge your hiking, I recommend a change of venue. I know driving on Britain’s crowded roads is tedious but new scenery is a worthwhile payoff. The Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons are not too far away and worth the trip and the rocks of Snowdonia would be a major change from what you are used to. Walking is great and this country offers such a range. The driving is horrible but there is a pay off. Your thought on being pleased for others is unbelievably important. I’m old and its taken me a long time to get there but the outcome is excellent self esteem. My teenage years were a bit of a nightmare and the twenties weren’t much better but gradually I got to a point where I simply never feel envy or spite. The key was feeling positive about other people’s achievements. Sometimes, I asked myself whether I was prepared to do what others had done to get where they are and many times, because of my ASD, the answer was no. But, if a good thing was in reach, I worked for it. No envy. Just learning from others when it was appropriate. Best wishes, Olly, and thank you for producing these videos.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks very much for your comnent! So far this year, I've walked somewhere new on ever outing. A few around South Wales and Gloucestershire. I'm also trying to walk a bit less often and make it less routine. Along myself time to do other things. I've just spent a week in Snowdonia, funnily enough... Excellent weather and vlogs to come. I'm glad to hear that you have reached a state of contentmemt and I appreciate your advice. I cut some other chat out from the edit of this video as its subject and concern is no longer relevant to me. :-) I'll keep learning where I can. Thanks again for watching. I've always been filming a bit less lately so that I can focus on the walks more. But I'll keep videos coming. All the best. Hope your week goes well.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Olly, a big conversation happening around work/life balance and the potential for a shorter working week - how the value of life isn't just about being productive in a workplace. I can definitely empathise with walking being a way to pass the time - to get out of the house into the outdoors. Really cool to hear your change in thinking - someone told me recently that your thoughts determine your feelings, your feelings determine your actions and your actions determine your results, in other words the power lies within. Always good to be out👍

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hi Gerry. I've seen a lot about the potential for a four-day week this year. I've asked about it for myself in my own workplace... But it seems unlikely right now. A conversation that may not be over. I'm also working regular Saturdays which interrupts my social life. I do agree about the power of our minds and the strength we can hold within. I see this within myself sometimes. Thanks again for your thoughts and for watching. All the best. :-)

[@Mads76]

Thanks for sharing dude. Good to see you out. I need to see some more of this area. Love Ebbor Gorge.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Mads! Hope you're still able to get out and about when you can. Also hope you've had a good weekend. All the best and thanks for watching. :-)

[@MartinPopeFilmmaker]

Nice walk Olly. That was a very long way you walked. We couldn't do even half that. We've walked up Batcoombe Hollow onto Draycott Sleights before & also done the Ebbor Gorge which always seems to be muddy but to do all that in one go. Wow. Well done mate. 👏

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hi Martin! Glad to hear you've explored some of these areas yourselves - I do remember watching your Ebbor Gorge video. Hope you've had a good weekend. Thanks for watching and for your comment. All the best.

[@shirleyc285]

A good walk there Olly. Yeah living alone is hard ,I Know from experience, it got me down a lot. I also got annoyed when I saw couples. I think it's completely natural to feel like that though. Those steps at Ebbor gorge are a killer. Enjoyed watching.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hi Shirley, thanks for your comments and for sharing your own thoughts. Glad to know I'm never alone. Also glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you had a good weekend. Thanks again and all the best.

[@rodpearce7422]

Hello Olly - found your videos whilst idly spending a little time looking for information on East Harptree. Watched your walk from Smithams Chimney (which my Father was involved in restoring) down through the Coombe where I played as a child 50 odd years ago. Thanks for posting.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Hello Rod, Thanks very much for finding my video and for watching. I'm intrigued to hear that you knew the combe as a child. A beautiful, unspoilt location.

[@rodpearce7422]

@@WalksWithOlly Thanks. Yes it is a lovely spot. I recall making dens on the Western slope of the Coombe, riding bikes (and later mopeds) around the tracks between the end of Coombe Lane and the site of Richmont castle, sliding down the sandy bank near the castle and exploring the ruins. Some even walked along the top of the aquaduct (not me). I grew up in East Harptree, living in West Sussex now just off the South Downs way. I see you have some videos walking that - you will have been pretty close to us where it crosses the River Arun. I'll have a watch of those next.....