163pm Severn Bridge to Chepstow

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

I’ve just walked along the M48, over the first Severn Bridge, and crossed into Wales. To continue my coastal walk, I should really turn left. But, instead,  I turn to my right and walk through a tunnel under the motorway

b01 M48 grafitti underpass, Chepstow, Ruth Livingstone Continue reading →

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163am Severn Beach to Wales

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

I’ve been looking forward to today, because today I’m going to cross over the River Severn and walk into Wales. It will be another important milestone in my coastal trek.

My hubby drops me off at Severn Beach. We have his mother with us and I set the timer on my camera to take a snap of the three of us, with the Second Severn Bridge as a backdrop.

Severn Beach, setting off on Ruth's coastal walk Continue reading →

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162pm Avonmouth to Severn Beach

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

Although I’ve really enjoyed my detour down to Bristol and back, it’s time to resume my coastal walk.

The tide has been rising while I’ve been walking along the Avon. The water in the river is now deep enough for shipping. A sailing boat chugs along (sail down, motor running) and a fast rubber dinghy speeds by.

b01 M5 crossing River Avon, Ruth walking up the Severn Way

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162am Bristol to Avonmouth

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

We are staying in a B&B on the edge of Clifton Down in Bristol. It’s a rainy Saturday morning and I walk across the Downs, past parents huddling under umbrellas while they watch their wet children play football. Then I head down a tree-lined avenue and make my way towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Clifton Down, Ruth walking through Bristol

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161c Clifton Suspension Bridge

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

The tide has been coming in while I’ve been walking. The banks of the Avon, showing muddy when I started, are now covered by water.

c01 The River Avon Trail, Ruth's coastal walk

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161b Portishead to Pill, River Avon

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

I leave Portishead Marina behind me and am pleased to find a footpath (unmarked on my map) that runs alongside the edge of the marshy shoreline. In the distance are the cranes of Portbury Docks.

walking towards Portbury Docks, Ruth on the coast, Portishead

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161a Portishead

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

My walk starts on the green slopes above Mariner’s Path, Portishead.

[This wide open area – glowing a vibrant green – is clearly visible from the other side of the Bristol Channel, and its slopes become a way marker – a reminder of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come – when I continue my walk in Wales. But I’m getting ahead of myself…]

Across the bay I can see the squat lighthouse of Battery Point. And the low structure, brightly coloured, of Portishead’s open air swimming pool.

View across Kilkenny Bay, Portishead, Ruth walking the coast

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160 Clevedon to Portishead

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

After a frustrating and frightening struggle yesterday – through brambles, obstructed footpaths and fields of mad cows – I am really hoping my route will be easier today.

My husband drops me off by St Andrew’s Church, right on the southern edge of the Clevedon coast. I walk past the cemetery chapel and head for the bank of the river with the strange name – Blind Yeo.

cemetery chapel, St Andrews, Clevedon Continue reading →

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159pm Kewstoke to Clevedon

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

[Continued from the morning.]

I am walking along the southeast bank of the River Yeo, heading for Phipp’s Bridge, only a few hundred yards away. Technically speaking I am trespassing. But this shortcut saves me over two miles of needless walking along official footpaths to get to the same place. (And there is no guarantee the official paths would be passable anyhow.)

This is farmland, with fields of cattle. There are no stiles, but the fences I come across are easy to climb over.  I wave to some watching cows, who ignore me.
b01 fields of cows, Ruth walking in Somerset Continue reading →

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159am Kewstoke to Clevedon

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Ruth Livingstone

I am anticipating a difficult day today. My first challenge is to find the bridleway from the Woodspring road to Wick St Lawrence. The start of this public right of way is cunningly disguised as a Private Road!
Bridleway disguised as a private road, Ruth trying to walk the coast, north Somerset Continue reading →

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