A sort of a lay-in today as The Walker was setting off from the camp site but I had lots of jobs to do, the most important being to find a campsite for the night. One important thing, though, is to always remember to take your towel to the shower as there is no way that you can shout for your better half to bring it - it's a good job pyjamas dry well!
After that small inconvenience I found that the van really didn't want to give up the electricity connection and let me go on my way. We've had trouble with it being stiff and hard to disconnect but today it was bloody-minded! A kind Scots gentleman supplied the brawn but broke his watch strap in the doing! He was looking for a bike puncture kit that had blown away in the wind when he came to my rescue, so he wasn't having a good day either!
With the van fed on diesel and old water disposed of, I set off to find The Walker, thinking that I would like to explore Bristol properly another time.
Scariest experience yet was driving the van across the Severn Bridge; the wind was fierce and was tugging us left and then right, but I thought I should be safe as they don't allow high vehicles across if it is too windy, do they?!!! The van and I safely arrived in Wales and expertly reverse-parked in a small car park. Now I'm the dominant partner my relationship with the van is better!
After that small inconvenience I found that the van really didn't want to give up the electricity connection and let me go on my way. We've had trouble with it being stiff and hard to disconnect but today it was bloody-minded! A kind Scots gentleman supplied the brawn but broke his watch strap in the doing! He was looking for a bike puncture kit that had blown away in the wind when he came to my rescue, so he wasn't having a good day either!
With the van fed on diesel and old water disposed of, I set off to find The Walker, thinking that I would like to explore Bristol properly another time.
Scariest experience yet was driving the van across the Severn Bridge; the wind was fierce and was tugging us left and then right, but I thought I should be safe as they don't allow high vehicles across if it is too windy, do they?!!! The van and I safely arrived in Wales and expertly reverse-parked in a small car park. Now I'm the dominant partner my relationship with the van is better!
From Bernie:
Today's walk 18.4 miles : Cumulative 329.9 miles
Section 2 completed a day ahead of schedule, paperwork signed at Chepstow Tourist Information Centre & all ready for Offa's Dyke Path tomorrow! Not only that but when I reached the Severn Estuary I'd completed one quarter of this whole walk - I feel less reticent now to tell people where I'm walking to when they ask!
Too much road-walking today to be able to say it was a pleasure but that was the price I knew I would have to pay for my 'Brunel' diversion! The industrial landscape of Avonmouth is even more bleak than on my last visit; the huge smelting works has been demolished & now acres of rubble fill the spaces between occasional bright, new industrial units- Budget Greeting Cards & Door Specialists are just a couple that attracted my attention.
Stopped the motorway traffic to take this one!
An inauspicious start to The Severn Way with waist-deep nettles across abandoned industrial rail-lines making route-finding a bit tricky.... particularly as I was wearing shorts! A machete would have come in handy but it's not a recommended walking accessory even in the wilds of Avonmouth!
Picture taken from beneath the 'new' Severn Crossing
Highlight of the Day: only became the highlight when sitting in the comfort of the 'Chepstow Castle' with a pint in front of me! Crossing the Severn Bridge on foot in a gale-force wind with rain rattling in on the storm was quite an experience. Traffic was limited to a single lane & 40 mph; a bridge-worker, climbing out of his van as I donned waterproofs for the crossing, remarked, 'I wouldn't worry about the rain, mate, that'll be the least of your worries out there!'
I'm not sure that I'd do it again & it certainly wasn't fun while I was doing it.... but now, 4 hours later & in the warm van, it's the stand-out moment of the day.
The Severn Crossing we were about to make - the traffic stopped when I got there....!
Beer of the Day: persevering with the Glastonbury Ales & finally found a good one! 'Mystery Tor' - lighter, fresher & with a cleaner taste than the other 2 I've tried : enjoyed this!
Suppose we should have had a meal to celebrate Gloucestershire but having been there for less than 2 hours I thought that was cheating a bit! Crossed into Wales (Monmouthshire) at the end of the walk but we're back camping in England, at Tidenham, tonight.
Well, we're in Wales, but for only a pint! Back full-time tomorrow!
Pam (I think!): Velvet Bottom was very green & lush but would have made a terrible photograph! There were just no real shades &, certainly, no other colours! One of those places that you just have to walk through....
And aren't you impressed that I'm still keeping up the coffee & biscuits in bed every morning? Keep the manager sweet!
Alec Hunter students: Literature tomorrow? Go for it!
Unusual naked gent found in the middle of a very wet Chepstow!
Having seen the news today I wondered if you'd make it across the Severn Bridge - amazed that you did it! So 25% down already ... Good walking tomorrow. Love Ann
ReplyDeleteBatttling though waist high nettles, fighting the winds over the Severn road bridge, tour manager battling with the power issues, but you are still able to stop traffic by just being there. What power you have Mr Large {SIR] pamx
ReplyDeleteonly three quaters of the way to go, onward and upwards, Go out and celebrate!!!!!
Hi Bernie thanks for previous commiserations (west ham)Notice wasnt too much cider drinking done in Somerset,but not surprised as clear head needed for task ahead.For interest what was strength of scrumpy down there? Anyway am still moaning about lack of rainfall and i did ask for help!! Wales should be very picturesque so look forward to pics.(nice brown legs my a**e.Keep going Bernie Regards John (Swiss Bell)
ReplyDeleteHi, Hope you're both still on terra firma. What a blustery time you're having.
ReplyDeleteShowed Maddie and CJ your blog and the duck picture. CJ thought it was cool to have a duck share his surname and got the barbecue reference. We had to explain it to Maddie and she was not pleased that you even thought of eating her duck.
We came back from Wales via the "new" Severn bridge last summer. CJ thought it was really "cool" (obviously the in word for 6 yr. olds). We came through the Wye Valley and passed Tintern Abbey, which was all very spectacular. Love to you both, Julia