Day 27 was the day for the walk into Bristol, the biggest city on the route so far. Also the goal for the first section of the walk. The plan was to get to Bristol in a month and at the moment I’m on course to achieve that.
But it was quite different walking from the previous days of the walk which had been predominantly rural. As a result my daily descriptions and other records, like my scrapbook, have focused on the wild spring flowers and other wildlife. About 80% of the photographs I’ve taken so far are of plants. For me records of the natural world are an essential part of my walking. Will this change with a walk into the city?
The route had been chosen with care to get me onto the Severn Way as easily as possible. The Severn Way, one of Britain’s long distance paths, was the one Hannah used 7 years ago to get up into the Midlands. Although Hannah hadn’t been a great fan of the path I’d decided to use it too as it was largely flat. I will be walking in my daughter’s footsteps and that’s something I look forward to.
The first challenge was to cross the River Avon and to do that I used the cycle and footpath that goes alongside the M5. It’s quite vertiginous and during my crossing I was the only pedestrian on the path. You can’t see much of the M5 traffic due to the steel barriers but you can hear it and it is very loud. It also makes the path vibrate, up though your feet, which is a very odd feeling.
The phone number for the Samaritans is displayed at frequent intervals along the path with a phone in a box in the middle. Even so floral tributes are evidence that folks have died here recently. I give thanks for those who listen on the phone.
Both before and after the bridge the path goes via an established Greenway. This green corridor exists to encourage wildlife for the city and as far as the bird song is concerned it seems successful. For local people there was a community farm and also the local foodbank.
Bob met me and guided me to the start of the Severn Way via various industrial areas including the Co op distribution centre. I crossed the M5 and the M49. We lunched on a bench looking out into the Severn Estuary.
The last section of the day to Severn Beach was along the coast next to the railway. Arriving at Severn Beach we went to the same cafe we visited 7 years ago. Severn Beach was called the Blackpool of the South West in the 30s. Shirley’s Cafe has been provided local refreshments since 1940 making it the oldest still open in the seaside place. The food and welcome are both good.
Glorious things are found in this city:
Renewable energy is generated,
Local people serve and support others.
Help us to get the balance right
So that others may keep their balance.
May the city be green and glorious,
And these things spoken of far and wide.
JAL 28.04.2019
Day 27 of the End to End from Sheepway to Severn Beach via the Severn Way