During the early hours kept waking to the sound of rain on the tent, i had pitched behind the sea defence wall (earth bank) and this really was a good spot, the sheep had grazed the grass short and it was sheltered, a little warmer and so was very comfortable indeed. Crawled out to the dawn chorus under a cloudy sky.
The severn way is certainly pleasant and quiet but it does lack signage in some area’s and wanders about a bit, as at Oldbury-on-severn, i was a bit pleased to actually find the correct little paths here (it was to early to ask any locals), but do concede perhaps this meandering is done to pass as many pubs as possible.
Next we come to a big building boldly claiming it’s nuclear status.
It has a bird reserve attached, a curious thing was going on with the severn that i couldn’t quite understand in that there seemed to be a step in the water which sounded like a waterfall and would obviously be eclipsed at higher tide so i must have happened along at just the right time. Maybe a small version of the severn bore.
Soon after this i was plodding along country lanes when a white van pulled up and out popped the driver to ask directions, i explained i was from miles away but amazingly by searching my map i was actually able to give him directions.
I went inland to pass Berkeley castle and Berkeley is another nice town, then small road to Sharpness and it’s docks where i could join the Gloucester canal, the pub in Sharpness was fully booked for food and i was worrying about finding food but thought Purton may be good (there is a pub marked on the map), the land lady in Purton seemed to take delight in telling me i was out of luck they don’t do food and don’t do pots of tea (what is a hiker to do), thought to be fair she did advise me there would be a pub open all day at Slimbridge which turned out to be true, also at Slimbridge was a cafe (the black shed) which i settled for (sausage and mash), here i will mention my size 11 feet which i suppose leads to rather large boots, well there was one of these young ladies there that dressed in the goth style and the pair of boots she had on made mine look quite small, i wonder if they would do much mileage.
The severn way follows the Gloucester canal until where the severn does a big loop to the west and i followed it as best i could around that loop, here again more signs would certainly be nice.
LeJogPlod Reader 