A very long day!

Tuesday 7th August

I was up just after 6am after a good nights sleep in a tent outside the ranger's hut at Fyne Court.

Home for the night at Fyne Court.

After a cup of tea, I packed up and I was feeling positive to attack today's 20 miles.

I was on the road by 7.30am and was aiming to reach North Petherton by breakfast. 

View towards North Petherton and the Somerset levels.

 

They seemed like long miles but I was there by 9.30am and sourced some provisions. I ate them in the church porch and chatted to some friendly ladies who pointed me in the right direction to the canal footpath.

I brought some more blister plasters first and then was on my way but oh did my feet hurt! I crossed the M5 and thought 'Hurrah I'm finally getting somewhere'. I slowly sauntered along the canal footpath only to be brought back under the M5! This did nothing positive for my mood which had been darkened by sore feet and a lack of anything interseting to look at! 

I continued (I was trying to reach Chedzoy where I knew there was a church I could shelter in) and walked around Bridgewater - I had seen a footpath whcih would take me towards Chedzoy avoiding the busy roads. I was using my Dad's 30 year old Ordnance Survey map but it was actually incredibly accurate - thanks Dad. 

I finally got to Chedzoy and enjoyed a much needed rest in the Church porch. Luckily too there was a tap outside where I could wash my feet before plastering on Compeed. 

I set off again just before 3pm, I met a man down the road who asked where I was going. After telling him Street was my destination, he said it was about 13 miles away! My heart sank, but between us we settled on 10miles as the Youth Hostel is situated a little out of the town. So I stomped on, knowing I had to get there! I walked a straight road across the levels and through some villages. 

At about 6pm, I had a further 4 miles. It started to rain quite heavily by this point! 

I finally reached Street Youth Hostel by 7.30pm very soggy and very tired! I was never happier to see the little wooden chalet building nestled in the woods and after a light supper, I quickly fell asleep- phew what a day!