LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Ann and I started from Lilstock Beach car park and walked east towards Hinkley Point power station. We turned right through the gate before the beach and followed the tractor track until the track finished, then turned left to the fence at the top of the cliff. There was a good view of the cliffs at the shoreline with mud, sand and rock flats at low tide. At this point Ann returned to the car while I continued along the top of the cliffs towards Hinkley Point. There was lots of evidence of illegal camping to the west of Hinkley Point, with old fires in numerous places and rubbish scattered in the bushes. Just after I turned the corner and on the straight to the power station, I could see the huge works of Hinkley Point 3, the new future nuclear power station. Hundreds of trees had been planted on the huge bank of the site side of the large fence. The fence had numerous CCTV cameras mounted along the length of the fence. I was hoping to use the public footpath along the seafront, but I was disappointed. A permissible alternative path had been created to circumnavigate the works, because the sea wall footpath was closed. There was no other choice but to walk around, so I followed the permissible path religiously. The path was straight at first, then on the inland side of the site it turned many times, even when crossing open fields. The map pinned to most finger posts was confusing with footpaths shown in all directions and no “you are here' markers. I talked to some workers but they didn't know the route. Some permissive path finger posts made the route longer. I met a jogger who reassured me that I was on the correct path to the shoreline on the east side of the power station. At the shoreline I found two lamp shades hanging from a 'T' shaped pole, very mysterious. I could find no explanation and there was nobody to ask. From there the walking was extremely easy for a while along a flat concrete road on top of the sea wall, with huge boulders piled up on the sea side. Around the Point at Stolford there was the first sign of civilisation, so ignoring Hinkley Point 'C' I continued to Catsford Common. Care would be required across the common during wet periods as it could be very muddy, if so it would be better to use the track rather than the footpath. It was common to find no sea wall sometimes in some fields. I wished that dog owners would control their dogs. I crossed the common to the car park but there was no Ann to greet me. She was waiting at a new wetland car park, by Marsh Farm, which was too new to be on our maps. This fooled us both. However, Ann soon found me and we had a picnic by the common before I walked down the road to the footpath on the next bend. That was in preparation for the walk into Bridgwater, hopefully the next day, weather permitting. I had finished another adventurous day, with many unknowns and interesting scenery. Pity the path was closed along the coastline passing Hinckley Power Station, it may be open again when you enjoy this section of the Somerset Coastal Path. (Now known as the England Coast Path).

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Lilstock