FLEETWOOD/FREEPORT

 OLD WRECKS 3+ Miles

Living Fossils :-  John, Mike, Anthony, Danny.

NO !  NO !  NO ! Living Fossil ?   

He's not a M-eanderthal. He's a N-eanderthal.

Let's start again.....

The day started with a rather drab greyness with a feather light drizzle filling the air but as we parked in the Affinity Outlet car park, Mikes bright red, new, hybrid car was a spirit lifter in itself and the weather forecast promised a steady improvement as the day progressed.

Well Mike looks cheerful anyway.

Not so this poor birdie. (Herring Gull) Look at it's foot - - - It only has one.  😔

After crossing the exit channel from the dock we set off to find the end of the little spit of land separating it from the River Wyre.

The worn grass path soon dropped down to a more substantial hard surfaced track.

Mike , born and bred in this area, told us that the quays we could see across the water once buzzed with the trawlers and the industries and business that thrived alongside them. 

The Hard surfaced track petered out as we reached the end of the spit but was immediately replaced by a well marked but narrow footpath.

This picture taken from "Google Earth" clearly shows the two footpaths around the narrow spit of land. The broader hard track above and the narrow footpath below.

As we followed the footpath there was an abundance of plant life clearly sustained by the rich mud deposited by the River Wyre when it broadened out and slowed down  as it reached it's wide estuary. Large areas of Sea Lavender, Evening Primrose. Some beautiful blue grass and the plant in the photo which I have not yet identified

The end of the spit looking across to Knott End.

  

This boat appears to have been moored at the end of the spit for quite some time.

The path was quite clear and easy to follow.... most of the way.

Puddles left by the higher tides caused the path to divide from place to place.

As we walked more wrecks appeared on the horizon.

Scattered along the path were  little clumps of whelks egg cases.

As we drew abreast of the wrecks a grassy path invited us to take a closer look.

Which we did.

Here's a very adventurous Danny taking a really close look. The hole he found in the side of the boat was quite a squeeze and was accessed using a small piece of wood over a shallow pool.

As he explored inside the wreck John had to shout and warn him that the tide was rapidly covering the helpful piece of wood. He squeezed back out but the water was by now deep enough to give his feet a wetting.

We continued to follow the narrow path before emerging close to the "Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park"

Some well positioned rocks were ideal as seats.

Where's Mike going ?  I think he's spotted an interesting bush.

I think a serious diet for you JW.   With the right costume you could take the part of Henry VIII in a period drama.

As we sat with our flasks and butties a plethora of birdlife entertained us,

Gulls, Terns, Mallard, Coots, Moorhens, Martins, Canada Geese, a Swallow (I think) Sparrows, Starlings and a variety of LBBs (Little Brown Birds)

Look at this coot's feet - Extraordinary !

A female Mallard (duck as opposed to Drake) paddled by with a family of fluffy chicks bobbing around. A couple of Drakes approached but after a battle royal she emerged triumphant and drove them away.

We had planned to return alongside the docks but without passes we were turned away and had, instead, to follow the boringly straight main road. At the end of which was parked the car.

Being a gull around here would seem to be a less than healthy situation . Another Herring Gull..... Deceased..

That's all folks

No it isn't !

Mike entertained us by turning the start of the return trip into a brief but enjoyable tour of his birthplace. The tour included a visit to the "Wyre Estuary Country Park " Cafe  where we have been before.

Danny  ....    " I spy with my little ...... a Swan "     Really !

The Swan ...................................... ? 

Be fair Mr Writer. Only the neck-like curved connector was visible from where we were sitting 👍

Danny still searching for that swan.   Joking apart  Danny is invariably energetic, generous, helpful and knowledgeable.       Every walking group should have a "Danny".

A final sit in the sun ( The weather forecast was right ) enjoying the views across the extensive estuary.

Believe it or not there are two men up that left hand Pylon.  Rather them than me 😟

That's  it Folks

Definitely this time

THE END