I started this walk with a big dose of nerves. I think this was partly down to how I’d rushed my preparation and partly down to drinking too much wine with my friends last night.

Jenny had warned me to pace myself, but I hadn’t seen my friends for a while and was enjoying myself. Luckily we didn’t go too crazy so a cup of tea and glass of water this morning got rid of the main symptoms. I just felt a bit tired.

I decided that the best approach was to try and clear my mind of the negative thoughts, trying to banish the, ‘what are you doing?’, ‘you’re not prepared!’, ‘you should have just stayed at home’, ‘why did you leave Rolls Royce?’, ‘you’re stupid!’ words in my head and just press on.

Fortunately, despite the first few miles being built up and really just trying to get me to the Severn Way, from where I could stop looking at my map and just enjoy the path, it was actually really pleasant. There were some nice paths, and only really one little estate that I didn’t like, and even that was good because it had a shop and I was able to pick up supplies (which I didn’t already have due to lack of planning!).

Bridges are cool

By the time I got to Avonmouth (well just north of it), I was feeling much calmer. I’d spotted lots of places I could camp, so even though it was far too soon for that, it did give me some confidence that the trip might not be a total disaster.

I loved walking beside the Severn and especially liked looking at the two bridges. I find it so amazing what humans can be capable of. The engineering behind them is incredible.

When I looked at the map I thought I’d be quickly past both of them but it actually took me quite a while. Firstly because they’re in fact quite far apart, and for the second, the older bridge, the route round it is quite long – and I got lost.

Wales today?

I had considered walking over the older Severn bridge as I like the idea of being able to say I’d walked from Wales to Leicester. But it really didn’t make sense and I’m worried enough about this walk without making it harder for myself.

If it’d been Scotland over the bridge I’d definitely have done it though as they allow wild camping, and being allowed to do what I’m doing, well that would make it so much easier. Anyway, as it’s not Scotland, and despite loving Wales, I decided to stick on the English side and push on.

Flat is definitely faster

I made good progress despite my late, and somewhat drowsy, start. This is definitely easier than walking the terrain of the South West Coastal Path. Although, it did amuse me that this was still a coastal path, although a lot flatter, and dare I say, not quite so pleasing on the eye.

However, beauty is relative, and I even found the structure of the Nuclear power station attractive in its own, bit of a blot on the landscape, but magnificent, imposing, and a glimpse of the past, sort of way.

Rain delayed

I was aware of two things. Sunset was at 7pm and rain was forecast for the same time. I knew I needed to find somewhere to camp before, or soon after, these two things.

I’d been very lucky with the rain. There was a small amount, but not enough to put on waterproofs, earlier in the day, but a lot was forecast for 6pm. But that then changed to 7, then 8, and then 9. As I’m writing this, at 9:30, it’s still not raining. I am slightly disappointed. I do like rain when I’m in a tent.

Finding a pitch was difficult. The path runs high next to the Severn on a kind of bank, I assume deliberately, to protect low farmland behind it from extreme high tides, but it did mean that even though I spotted some places to camp, they were on the estuary side of the path, and therefore I wasn’t sure if they’d be safe. So I kept on walking.

There were also lots of cattle in fields and that was a no go, so I just had to press on. I finally found somewhere in a little woodland as I neared another disused power station. I’m a little worried but hopefully it’ll be ok. There are a lot of noisy birds so will hopefully drown out any noise I make, reducing the chance of getting caught.

I think it’s been a good day.

Yippee – it’s just started raining