Day 14 - Vallis Veg (Egford) to Priddy

The route (all links open in a new window)
Start point: Vallis Veg Campsite
w3w: ///vehicle.cured.toasters
Accompanying video

I woke early to the sounds of birds and little critters all around my tent. This sounds like it could be part of a horror story but it wasn't like that. Think more like a Walt Disney style birds chirping and singing whilst the maid dances and sings kind of vibe. I felt like I was part of nature and that was because I was a resident within natures environment. I can't explain how 'right' this felt. I would implore you to try it out though. Vallis Veg is a special place.

I can't say enough good things about Vallis Veg. Go there!

Slowly and quietly I packed up (after breakfast of course!) I was out on the trail super early which was great. This means my day wouldn't drag into the evening, I could take my time. No stress. Big deep breath and an exhaling sigh... Peaceful. Until....

WOOF WOOF WOOF SPLASH WOOF GROWL WOOF!!!!!

An early morning dog walker (who had zero control over her dog) lamely peeped an ignored whistle from the other side of the river. Meanwhile her dog was on my side of the river 2 feet from me with hackles raised, teeth gleaming in the morning light, giving me K9 abuse. I was frozen like a statue. This wasn't through fear, it was my preferred method of defence. I wanted to be the least interesting thing in the world for this dog which had clearly lost its mind. Thankfully this worked and eventually the maniacs were reunited once again on the other side of the river. As I slowly left (note: the dog owner never put the dog on a lead) I could hear the dog owner talking to the dog like it was a 3 year old who had just tried to eat dirt. "oh that's not very nice is it." The tone of what she was saying sounded to the dog like it had done a really good thing because, guess what, dogs can't understand words. This interaction stifled my peaceful happy mood. The poor mood I was now in wouldn't last because I decided it was not a mood I wanted to harbour but it did return a few times throughout the day. If I could say to that dog owner one thing it would be this - if you aren't 100% sure your dog won't do that again, muzzle it when in public places.

Okay, so I had a dog interaction. Things could be worse. I think if I had run then I would be in A&E having stitches. Small mercies.

I tried to enjoy the meandering river that I was walking the banks of. Eventually a steep incline snapped me out of mulling over the encounter I'd just endured. I popped out into a field and picked my way along the public right of way which was dotted with signs like "DO NOT ENTER"; "NO SWIMMING"; "TURN BACK". This really had me pondering if I was actually going the right way. I was. The signs were to stop people trying to get near a quarry that was, as it turned out, very close to the footpath. I didn't realise quite how close until I popped out at an overview point. If I had known the drop near the footpath I was on I don't think I would have enjoyed the last mile or so walk!

Marvelling at the quarry I had just walked around. Mind-bogglingly big!

After passing the quarry the footpaths stopped being so 'shouty' with signs and returned to really peaceful woodlands and fields that undulated their way across the Mendips and into Shepton Mallet. I really liked Shepton Mallet. It had an air of 'old town' about it. Unfortunately I didn't video a lot of it as that would involve getting release forms signed by people with kids etc. Instead of the bother I simply didn't record anything but you'll have to take my word for it that it is a good looking place and one worth a visit if you are in the area.

I refilled my water bottle in a kindly restaurant/pub and left Shepton Mallet after the briefest of visits. I think I'll return here one day. I got a good vibe from the place. So, with water in had, I climbed back into the Mendip hills. To give you an idea of what the area was like, the sign below adorned a tree at the entrance to a woodlands I had to traverse. Was I expecting Robinhood? You bet I was! I was disappointed as it was their day off.

Expect red arrows, just not high flying ones.

The beautiful hills delivered views by the bucket load. This was a really special area. The only negative about it was the public rights of way were not as rigid as other places I have walked. Often the footpath would be redirected, split into 2 or 3 paths where 1 was expected, or just simply blocked off. This made for very slow navigation and a fair bit of backtracking. The worst section forced me down a very overgrown 100 meter section. A section that was overgrown with stinging nettles taller than me (I'm 6 foot tall). I ended up having to just put my head down and push my way through these stingers. My arm was covered in a nettle rash afterwards and, once more, my mood was plunged into a negative one. I dug myself out of this mood once again but I have to say it was getting harder. The day was now dragging on. I had expected it to be over by now yet here I was pushing my way through six foot tall stingers. Sigh.

It was strange as, not 50 yards from the almost impassable footpath, I was on a paved footpath that went around a public field. This was clearly a regularly used area for those of the East Wells community. My next large town, Wells loomed quickly and I passed through it without incident or interest. I am not sure if it contained anything interesting. The root into it had obviously dulled my senses as I can't recall anything about the place other than it existing. I was possibly underwhelmed. Stick with Shepton Mallet if you are in the area! (Sorry Wells dwellers)

The final part of the days walk had me passing through what I described as a 'little village or hamlet'. It was in fact Wookey Hole! I wish I had been more diligent when plotting my route as I would have made time for this gem of a place. Unfortunately all I could do was pass through it and climb and I mean CLIMB! I'd hit the steepest part of the entire walk. No where along the 200+ miles from Dover had I climbed at such an incline. I was climbing up the Ebbor gorge. I met an elderly couple on the way up who frankly put me to shame. It turns out the gentleman had been a ranger for the area in his working life so these hills were literally a walk in the park to him. He talked me into following them to a viewing point which I am very grateful for. It totally made the climb worthwhile.

Atop Ebbor Gorge looking back towards Glastonbury. Stunning.

I took a few memory pictures and said my goodbyes to this lovely couple. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! I turned and disappeared back into the woodland trail that led me to Priddy and my B&B for the night. Tomorrow is the last day and I'm looking forward to a hearty breakfast!