Magical mendips

Well, it would be rude to be at Glastonbury and not visit the Mendips, it would be like visiting Glastonbury and not visiting Burns the Bakers...unheard of. And anyway, what better way after a lovely dawn ceremony to continue celebrate Beltane and spring than a walk in natures majesty. Cheddar Gorge has been cleared since last we visited of 'invasive' flora, opening up new views and a clearer look at the ruggedness of its limestone faces. Exhilarating walking, and it's only 0830!

Day in the Muddips

The weather wizards were well off today. Cloudy they said, only a 20% chance of rain they said, a nice day for walking they said (well, they didn't say that really, it was me, still)... liars! Over the Mendip Hills the water hung in the air like a sodden grey blanket, not mizzle, not heavy rain, just perpetual wet. I'm being a bit dramatic really, there were short rainless intervals, but it was wet. The ground around Cheddar Gorge was so sodden it didn't matter. Poor souls wandered through the dank, clad in wet weather gear and looking heavy and forlorn, for the most part eyes fixed on the ground under their feet.  And with good cause, it was like an ice rink and I lost count of the number of walkers showing signs of being floored at some point. The Mendips had become the Muddips. We didn't walk for long and were soon on our way again, back towards Glastonbury, where we took advantage of one of the drier interval to climb the Tor.  Well, it would rude not to. The rain may have temporarily abated, but the winds had more than taken their place. A chill wind raked the Tor, and some people were in real danger of being blown over. That said, as always the Tor is well worth the climb, its views always breathtaking and magical, no matter. We sat and took in the sights and the clean air for some time before gingerly embarking on the decent. Off to continue our adventures, after all, we had a Magic Bus to catch.

Cheddar Gorgous

Visiting Cheddar Gorge today was a last minute addition to the days itinerary, so I didn't arrive at the Gorge until mid afternoon. I wasted no time and not being one to always adhere to paths, scrambled up through the rock strewn trees which still cling to some of the lower parts of the gorge. I climbed up through the humid stands until I emerged atop the gorge looking down into its meandering rocky chasm. Wow. I've been here many times, and every time I feel the same...wow. I made my way along the lip of the gorge, periodically braving a snatched glimpse over its vertical faces. I don't mind admitting heights are not easy for me and at times I was gripped by terror. But the views, not only of the gorge, but of the surrounding Mendip Hills and Levels beyond were stunning.  I continued to follow the gorge until just before Jacobs Ladder, then turned and headed out along the Mendips.  The Sun was now beginning to slowly sink and mists started forming over the Levels, adding an air of mystery to the landscape as it hung over the hills (which rise from the Levels here and there) like a veil. This was new to me, I'd only walked about the gorge on past rambles. From what I saw today, there's plenty of exploring to be done in them there hills. By the time I got back down into the gorge there was less than an hour to sunset and the gorge was eerily quiet. The sort of quiet you really notice.  What a lovely walk, and all the better for its spontaneity.