Day 49 - Weston-super-Mare to Clevedon

During the previous 48 days, we've missed a couple of "outbound" connections because of late train arrivals at Exeter, and one return journey due to ailing/delayed Colin at Widemouth Bay. It may be slightly surprising that, until now, none of us has done - or omitted to do - something which has resulted in failure to catch a train, but it's certainly surprising how that run is broken this morning. Ben arrives at Paddington in time for the outbound journey , but then boards the wrong train. The consequence is far more significant in terms of expense for Ben than delay to the walk. His arrival at Weston is only half an hour after John's and Gary's and we're all at the sea front by 10:15. It soon becomes apparent that there are a few unnecessary items in the bagging areas, namely waterproofs which we've all brought but which, contrary to forecasts during the last few days, are unlikely to be required. A pleasant enough start to the day along the coast outside Weston but then, around mid-day and just before St Thomas's Head, we start a series of inland diversions to get round/over the Rivers Banwell and Yeo. The early afternoon route also involves crossing and re-crossing the M5. John's not entirely serious suggestion that we wait for gaps in the traffic at least has the effect of managing expectations, and the fences, tunnel, fields and footbridge which we actually negotiate seem relatively tame. We eventually regain the coast shortly after Kingston Seymour and, by 4:30, are approaching our overnight stop at Clevedon. We decide against pre-arrival sharpeners (the pubs we pass aren't all that tempting) and get to the Walton Park - a Best Westin Hotel - around 5:00. The bad news is that the bar doesn't open until 6:00. The good news is that drinks can be ordered and brought to us in the lounge - a facility of which we take advantage twice, in the welcome form of a couple of pints of cider each. After changing, and taking the view that the dining room might be a bit too formal, we have supper in the bar - a window table with views over the Avon and Clevedon Pier. Pretty good food too (burger/steak pie/fish) accompanied by further ciders and two bottles of red. Cheese and biscuits to end the evening, along with a sticky each for John and Ben.