MILNTHORPE/ARNSIDE

"RETURN PLEASE.  WHERE TO ?  HERE !!

4 Miles X 2

WALKERS :-  Anthony, Mick C, Dave, Martin

                         Vic, Danny, Mike, John W. 

Another steaming hot day and a sensible choice of a short seaside walk.  Just short of a four mile walk to Arnside and then catch the bus back.

With cars duly parked in Milnthorpe we followed the Arnside road 'till a small bridge led us over a river and into Dallam Deer Park.

Once across the bridge we followed the riverside path towards the rather handsome buildings of the "Tower" and the Estate Office.

We passed through the kissing gate onto the road in front of the Tower

 and then turned right towards the Milnthorpe to Arnside road. 

In the distance, over to our right, we could see some of the herd of Fallow Deer that the Dallam Park Estate is famous for. Danny took some photos which will no doubt appear on his contribution to our blog.

On reaching the "Main" road we went straight across, through another kissing gate and into a large sheep filled field. Crossing the field at an angle we reached the bottom of a short but steep slope which had caused us trouble on a previous walk.  Last time it had been WET and slippery this time it was DRY ………… and slippery.

The slope was in fact the butted end of an embankment which possibly  was once a rail route....to where ?

On these hot summer days thirst is ever present so we soon began to consider where to stop. "We want a view." was the cry. We found one.

The view ... . The expansive sands of the River Kent and  In the distance "Those Blue Remembered Hills" ( A E Housman) ......Well Danny remembers the Lakeland Fells well as he has climbed several in recent weeks.

 Mike watches as Danny fights an aggressive bush.

Liquid intake requirements satisfied we continued along the embankment until we came to a short flight of steps.

The stairs led us back up to the road which we followed only briefly before leaving it again to stick more closely to the river's edge. NOT TOO CLOSELY as the edges were crumbly dried mud.

The weeks of hot weather seemed to have left the river very low and even the daily tides were apparently not sufficient to wet the sands which were desert dry and in places salt encrusted.

Someone's trailing their feet.

There was SOME water running towards the sea as we had to cross a small rivulet ( Stupid Writer ! Rivulet MEANS small river ).

Once over the little stream we had to climb up a concrete slope and over the rail  onto the road. This is where we realise we are past the "Spring Chicken" age. 

"Up you come"

"Are you sitting comfortably ?"

Soon after, as we walked along the prom we passed a house which seemed to be "Winking" at us. "Na then mate."

Perhaps it knew what a rough path we were about to follow.

This didn't last for long though and soon we were walking along a comfortably grassed path close to the river.

The walk along the shoreline was short lived and we once again found ourselves following the railway embankment we had encountered earlier in the day.

Mick enjoys a welcome respite as he waits for the rest of us to join him on the embankment.

We were not the first to pass this way.

And somebody has pinched part of the marsh for their front lawn.

The embankment now swept in a graceful curve towards Arnside. Over to our right the dried out  sands of the Kent estuary gleamed a brilliant white. Presumably from all the dried salt on it's surface.

The embankment ended at a five barred gate.

This lot would give yokels and country bumpkins a bad name.

Beyond the gate a small car park ended at the platform of Arnside Railway station. Soooo....here comes the bridge photo though I would challenge you, dear reader, to identify those within it.

Perhaps another shot might help.

...and, of course, don't forget.  Who's  taking the photo ? 

Once over the bridge and we soon found ourselves on the familiar frontage of Arnside with a view of the railway bridge across the estuary.

The bridge is there, 'onest. There's even a train on it.

We've arrived in Arnside. It's 12.30. it must be lunchtime.

  BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

Danny O.K. ?

I THINK HE'S ASLEEP.

YEP.  DEFINITELY ASLEEP.

But something more DRAMATIC was to follow. Across the road our leader was checking the bus timetable.

Oh Dear ! The next bus was in three hours time and we needed to get back to Milnthorpe.  No  options..... 

Our 4 mile walk had just turned into an 8 mile walk.

So off we set on our return journey.

You will notice dear reader...…

That the sea...…..

…….is now on our LEFT !

A brief stop for what we referred to as "Slurp" time.

A second scramble on the tricky slope.

Back through the deer park...

Back over our first bridge....

and back to the car park to enjoy a cool glass of Martin's delicious shandy.  Another excellent walk BUT...……………………. 

Here's a "Selfie" of your writer. Reduced, by today's Looooooooong walk, to a mere Shadow.

and we really shouldn't have parked the car just there !

THE END