Day 47 - Steart to West Huntspill

Train to Bridgwater - via Temple Meads - where we are collected by the same Colin (or Clare) who drove us from Steart to Taunton on the last trip. We arrive at Steart in time to get under way around 10:15. Study of the log later in the day shows this to be our earliest walking start time since day 1 of the SW Coast Path. Shortly after leaving Steart, a throw away remark by Gary about the level of the Thames a few days earlier leads to lengthy and ultimately inconclusive discussion about tides, the equinox, gravitational pulls, and the valves and ends of rugby balls. The discussion lasts for a goodly part of our morning walk down the south/west side of the River Parrett. Although the level of the river is low, there's unsurprisingly extensive evidence of the effects of the recent floods. We arrive (back) in Bridgwater early afternoon, and lunch consists of pies and sausage rolls purchased at a local shop, and eaten on the hoof. Light rain accompanies part of our return up the north/east side of the Parrett, which includes carefully considered - and wholly justifiable - "short cuts" across (or denobbings of) a couple of curves in the river at Dunball and Pawlett Hams. Our subsequent attempts to regain the river via some fields at Stretcholt are met with the resistance of a local vet who appears from his surgery to inform us in no uncertain terms that there's no way through to the river at the far side of the fields and that he doesn't want us scrambling through his hedges to try and get there. After he's bid us a not too fond farewell, and having consulted maps, we decide to go and point out to him that our intended route is shown as being a public right of way. However, as we approach his surgery, we encounter one of his colleagues who is more helpful, simply saying that she hasn't seen anyone go over the fields before and pointing out the route which is usually taken to get back to the river. We therefore decide (some more reluctantly than others!) that we should avoid further veterinary confrontation and follow the "usual" route. Back by the river, it's not too far to the end of our walk for the day at the top of a path leading to West Huntspill where the Crossways Inn and pints of rather strong Rich's cider are an excellent way of whiling away the 20 minutes before Clare picks us up and returns us to Bridgwater and the Tudor Hotel. Baths are hot and reviving, and ciders and supper follow. We've walked almost 20 miles today which is more than we've achieved since the Kimmeridge to Chipperville (Weymouth) stretch on day 3 of the SW Coast Path. John reckons it's the first time he's underestimated our likely mileage for a day. And this probably accounts for the next point of note, namely what we believe to be our record low for evening alcohol consumption. Just two pints of cider each (including the Rich's at Crossways), one bottle of red between us, and no stickies. But we sleep well!