Day 50 - Clevedon to Avonmouth

Early brekker not a problem for Best Westin hotels - and it's "buffet style" which is probably a first among the 25 establishments where we've so far breakfasted. In fact 7:00 a.m. seems to be a popular time for many of the residents - probably because most of them put the three of us in the youth policy category. When we check out, the woman on the desk says that there's been a coach party staying, from "somewhere up north", but is happy to acknowledge that to her almost anywhere east of Bristol is "up north" - particularly when John points out that the coach parked outside is marked "Epsom Coaches". Once again, a very pleasant start to the walking day. Indeed, the first couple of hours towards Portishead are reminiscent of the SW Coast Path - close to the water, along woodland tracks, and past a few groupings of holiday homes. Then, beyond the newly developed marina complex after Portishead Point, it's inland diversion time once more - this time to get round Portbury Dock to the Avonmouth Bridge. This includes skirting a couple of huge outdoor compounds filled with new cars, but the walking is pretty easy, much of it being along bridleways and cycle trails. But eventually we approach the M5 and the Avonmouth Bridge. As the bridge comes into view, it seems that crossing it might be a test not so much of Ben's recent hypnotherapy sessions, as of John's and Gary's resolve. Indeed, a fleeting moment's consideration is given to walking into Bristol along the river instead. However, courage is screwed to the sticking place, and the bridge is crossed in about 20 minutes without undue concerns. Bring on the Severn Bridge next time......!! Ben has attempted to lure Jenny out to meet us for a lunchtime drink, but finishing an essay is of more immediate importance to her. A shame, but at least we can delay a decision on where to finish/lunch and how to get to Parkway station. The decision is, in fact, made quite quickly - i.e. shortly after getting over the bridge and into Avonmouth where, at the station, a train is about to leave for Temple Meads. We decide to catch it and then take another train to Parkway. This gives more than enough time for a spot of lunch in a very impressive buffet at Temple Meads and for us to establish (a) ways of returning to Avonmouth via Parkway on the next trip and (b) that this has been the first occasion on the walk so far when we have not taken a cab at any stage during a two day trip. The train we catch from Temple Meads continues beyond Parkway through Cheltenham, so John stays on board when Ben and Gary change at Parkway for the connection back to Paddington.