A weekly blog featuring a long weekend walking the Mendip Way (a 2025 Bingo Card square done), and some words about following this year’s Montane Winter Spine race.
January has been long and dark, of that there is no doubt. It has, however, been a decent enough month. For starters, I’ve managed to tick two things off my 2025 Bingo Card – I hiked to the Chartist Cave and completed the Mendip Way.
Work has kept me on my toes, but it’s mostly felt under control, which is a win in my book. In an effort to improve my fitness, I’ve started jogging again, setting a goal to run a 10k this summer, another item on my Bingo Card. Thanks to my Mendip Way adventure, my step count has averaged 13,500 steps a day – not bad for a dark month.
I’d hoped to buy a few bits this month but failed at shopping. We went to Ikea to look at standing desks, but none of them seemed quite right. There was also a pointless trip to the outlet village at Swindon where, half an hour in, the power went out and the whole centre had to close. Thinking about it, that happened last time we were there, too.
Around all that, I’ve had a comforting routine of home-cooked meals, lazy evenings on the sofa, and casual strolls close to home. Honestly, that’s been wonderful. I also spent some quality time with friends, and had a couple of lovely meals out, which added a social spark to the month that I hope will continue throughout this year.
It hasn’t been a bad January at all (if I don’t mention the broken tooth!). Dare I ask February to match it?!
In this Episode
In this blog, I share a little about my long weekend walking the Mendip Way – 55 miles in four days through possibly the muddiest conditions I’ve ever experienced. Spoiler alert: I didn’t manage to hike the Saxon King’s Way to make it five days of hiking, but I do have a few thoughts on the state of UK trains!! I also couldn’t resist watching the Winter Spine Race; it was gripping!
Plus, I’m celebrating a milestone – Splodz Blogz is now 15 years old, and I had a pretty good 2024 in terms of numbers. Let me tell you all about it…
A Long Weekend Walking
By far the biggest thing to report in this blog is the multi-day hike I did last weekend. Perhaps a slightly bigger adventure than I had anticipated in some ways, it was a really good-for-me hike to go on this early in 2025. Sometimes it is good to just go for a very long walk.
Remember how I mentioned the Mendip Way in my long-weekend hikes ideas post last year? Well, a little bit before Christmas I decided I should kick things off properly and get this one booked in right at the start of the year. Having felt like I didn’t get enough hiking in last year, especially in the latter part, this was my chance to make up for it. My 2025 Bingo Card is now two squares down.
The Mendip Way
For those who aren’t familiar, the Mendip Way is a long-distance footpath in Somerset, England, stretching a little over 50 miles from Weston-super-Mare to Frome. The trail meanders through the picturesque Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), offering a mix of scenic views, rolling hills, and historic landmarks.
Along the way, hikers see ancient landscapes like Crook Peak, Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, along with charming villages dotted through the countryside. The path is diverse, with sections varying from open fields and woodland trails to steep climbs and rocky escarpments, making it a dynamic and engaging hike.
On paper, the Mendip Way appears to be a reasonably easy long-distance trail. But it’s not just a casual stroll through the countryside – and definitely not in the conditions I experienced. Every other paragraph in the Mendip Way guide I had with me said ‘may be muddy during or after rain’ – and boy, was that true!
My Hike
I decided to tackle this trail solo, both adding a touch of personal challenge to the adventure, and allowing me the simplicity of just going for a really long walk. I stayed in charming hotels and inns each night, which provided a cozy respite from the day’s exertions. The journey began and ended with a train ride (more about that in a moment…), and it really felt like I was a long way from everything despite never actually being far from the bustle of normal life.
Over four days, I hiked 55-miles through the stunning Mendip landscape. Mother Nature decided to throw in two named storms just to keep things interesting, and while I could have postponed my trip, after studying the weather maps and route, I made a conscious decision to tackle the weather and resulting conditions head on. It was incredibly wet and muddy, with rain-soaked trails that tested my resolve. But even when I was cursing the thickest, slipperiest mud I’ve ever experienced, it was all part of the fun. Each moment, even the toughest ones, contributed to a deeply satisfying adventure.
I can’t wait to share more about this long weekend walking adventure in an upcoming adventure journal series, much like I did for the Cotswold Way and Cumbria Way. Stay tuned for more tales from the trail in the coming weeks.
Not Hiking the Saxon King’s Way
The idea, the plan, the intention, was to do an extra day of hiking at the end of the Mendip Way. The Saxon King’s Way from Frome to Bath is a scenic 14-mile walk that links two significant historical figures: King Eadred, who died in Frome, and his nephew King Edgar, who was crowned in Bath. The route starts at the Cheese and Grain Hall in Frome and ends at Bath Abbey.
The route looks to go through pretty countryside, little villages, and some ancient history – a nice wander through Somerset. It also means hiking through the Combe Down Tunnel, which is 1672m long and plays you classical music as you walk through it!
Apart from being an interesting sounding walk, the main reason I wanted to do this one was to join my Mendip Way footsteps with those of the Cotswold Way, which I hiked in April 2023. It just seemed like a good thing to do.
Another Time
Alas, the Saxon King’s Way remains on my to-hike list. My body would have allowed me to do the extra day, but considering the ridiculously muddy conditions I’d already experienced, and knowing the terrain would have me on footpaths following likely-swollen rivers and across saturated fields, I decided it was not a necessary addition to my long weekend walking.
I felt a tinge of disappointment when I got to the Mendip Way sign on the Cheese and Grain in Frome and saw the Saxon King’s Way sign right next to it. But on the train home, when I could see just how much flooding there was in the areas I’d have been hiking through, I knew it was the right decision. Maybe this is one of the day-hikes I do later this year – a Saturday out in the countryside when things are a little (much) drier.
There’s a leaflet if you fancy looking into it yourself – and the route is here in OS Maps.
Never a Smooth Train Journey
Train travel in the UK is really broken. I do try and do multi-day adventures such as this one using public transport, especially when they involve a linear walk.
Trains save worrying about parking the car and getting back to it at the end. And they are often a little quicker. Using the train also means I don’t have to worry about how tired I am when I travel, as I’m not the one driving. It ought to be so convenient, especially when I’m hiking between towns with mainline railway stations.
But I’ve got claims in with GWR for both legs of my journey (home to Weston-super-Mare and Frome to home) because trains were delayed and cancelled. One train was cancelled mid-journey, while I was sat on it! On both Friday and Tuesday, I had to work out alternative routes mid-way through my journey thanks to cancelled services.
Claiming it Back
I am sure there were good reasons for the issues; the horrible weather (there was a lot of water), technical issues (one train was cancelled because it broke down), passenger incidents (one of the delays was caused by an emergency on a train), I don’t know what else. But you know, it doesn’t stop it being frustrating. I’m at least grateful to have access to live train times via apps, because that did at least make the re-planning on the go much easier.
It won’t stop me using trains for adventures like this, but it does mean I am one of those people who will openly moan about the state of the train system in the UK. Like complaining about the weather (and the mud…), it’s part of being British, right?!
Still, I guess my last point is to make sure you are registered for the ticket compensation schemes and take the time to make a claim when you are inconvenienced. GWR have already refunded me half of one ticket, and I’m awaiting the outcome of the other claim.
Following the Winter Spine Race
Did you spent the middle of January dot watching? I certainly did. This year’s Winter Spine Race nothing short of mesmerising. I was hooked.
The Montane Winter Spine Race is an annual ultramarathon held in the UK, widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance races in the world. The race covers the entire 268-mile Pennine Way, from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border. Competitors race non-stop, this year facing extreme winter conditions, including freezing temperatures, deep snow, and boggy terrain. The race tests participants’ physical and mental resilience, with only minimal sleep.
I think it probably was the snow and ice on that first weekend that piqued my interest this year. It provided not just a scenic backdrop, but a brutal test of endurance and spirit.
The Ones at the Back
And while the front-runners displayed awe-inspiring athleticism (what an amazing lady Lucy Gossage is!), it was the grit and tenacity of the racers at the back that captured my imagination this year. These individuals battled against not just the treacherous conditions and their own physical and mental limits, but had to do it with the stress of time cut-offs. Their stories of perseverance, and the determination to push on when it was hard, served as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s boundless capacity for endurance.
Even those who didn’t make it to the end were inspiring to me. Those people who had to make the sensible decision to pull out, and now have unfinished business to contend with.
I’ll never partake in such an extreme race (the Pennine Way is most definitely on my list, but I’m not interested in doing it quickly!). But watching these adventurers do their thing really did make me want to get out there more in 2025. It’s a weirdly comforting thought to know that people – normal people – are continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, one very boggy step at a time.
And when I was cursing the mud on the Mendip Way, feeling like I was doing more sliding backwards than moving forwards, I had the Spine Race to remind me that hard things are possible.
If I ever have the opportunity to volunteer at the Winter Spine, I think it would be an amazing event to be a part of.
Are Blogs Back?
As a seasoned blogger of 15 years (that’s right – Splodz Blogz is 15 years old now!), I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of audience engagement. Initially, blogging was a thriving space, but the allure of Instagram and other short-form and video platforms caused a significant dip in readership. These platforms offer quick entertainment fixes, making long-form content appear cumbersome and ‘too difficult’ to engage with.
Yet, 2024 brought a surprising resurgence. Despite my sporadic posting in the last three months of the year, my blog views soared past 122,000. Over 96k visitors came by my ramblings here on Splodz Blogz. This boom raises the question: Are blogs making a comeback?
I’ve always believed in the value of creating content for spaces we own, rather than those controlled by others. There’s a unique connection formed through thoughtfully crafted articles that quick posts can’t replicate. This year’s stats reinforce this belief. I’d been considering shutting down my blog, but this has made me reconsider, and has brought a smile to my face. While I genuinely enjoy Instagram – sharing photos with short (and long) captions, and seeing what others post, is a fun way to connect. But perhaps we’re entering a new era where readers crave depth and authenticity, reminding us of the power and relevance of the written word.
I rather hope so…
See You Next Time
I’ll leave these weekly blog style ramblings here. Thanks for reading my words (hooray for long form content!), and for making it to the end. I hope any adventures you’ve had in January have made this somewhat dark month a bit brighter. And here’s to a fantastic February, whatever that may bring.
Speaking of February, don’t forget it’s One Hour Outside daily photo challenge month – 28 photo themes to get you outside every day and looking at the world around you a little closer than you might normally do. I’d love to see some of your photos through the month: Come and show me over on Instagram.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to catch up on writing some hiking reports from my last day hike of 2024 and my first of 2025 – they were both fantastic hikes done in interesting conditions, and I hope they inspire you to get out walking this year. And then I’ll make a start on my Mendip Way adventure journal series.
See you next time.
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