I have had a questionable ability to get reverse recently, sometimes it is smooth, sometimes less so.

Just spent a few minutes changing gears and made a discovery. If i press the clutch down the change into reverse might be accompanied by a loud clunk. If i really press down (try and push the pedal through the floor) i seem to be able to get a smooth shift every time.

Is this a sign of the clutch wearing, is there a solution, short of buying a new clutch? the car is at 118k so i suppose the clutch will be on the way out.

118k on the original clutch ? Thats nice to know if it is.