Day 5: Return Journey
Whilst we had had sunny or overcast days with very little snow around the rest of the country had had some heavy falls of snow. Shortly after leaving the hotel we found that we were in a traffic jam with quite a lot of snow still around. We then heard that the M5 had been closed due to a truck that had jack-knifed, blocking the north bound carriageways. We were taken back to the hotel where we could stay in the lounge or walk around the town centre. Opting for the town centre we quickly discovered a covered market where we could while away an hour or so (by this time it was raining outside). Returning to the hotel at the allotted time it wasn't long before we were on our way again. The motorway now clear, we made good time up the M5 and M6. Arriving late, the interchange was now deserted, apart from the staff. After about half an hour a Shearings taxi was provided and by 7.30pm we found ourselves back home.
After long discussions on the coach Marie and I decided that whilst this had been a good experience which had got me more interested in the South West Coast Path, the time spent using public transport would preclude further similar journeys. A better idea would be to hire a cottage in Cornwall and use it as a base to travel by car to various sections of the path and use public transport to get back to the car. Plans for next year will shortly be underway!