WALKERS :- Danny, Vic, John R, Anthony
Harry, John W, Martin.
"Where are we parking ?"
"OWERSHEEPAVENOROADSENSE"
"O.K See you there. "
So here we are parking at that very place.
Past the gate and over the cattle grid and a few yards along the road before we turned right onto the "Levee" some feet above the tide line.
With the sea marsh to our left and the first of several caravan sites on our right we quickly made our way towards the first of the old farms strung out along the coast.
With one caravan site behind us. "Cocker Side". We carried on towards the next. "Bank End".
As we past this group of buildings we stopped briefly to chat to the farmer and a birdwatcher. The first told us he was about to gather his sheep in from the marshes. The second told us that there was ONE yellow wagtail on the marshes. A rarity it seems.
The footpath, for the first two or three miles of our walk, clung closely to the tidal edge of the shore.
"Now how did that get there ?" thinks John R.
It seems that there were other "things" there that were not appreciated by the locals. This is a rather strongly worded message to those who went this way, Oh Dear !
I quite agree !
Several of us had insisted that as it was still August the summer had not yet come to an end and we were therefore wearing shorts. A chill wind off the sea, however, ensured that we had several layers on our upper bodies. The path continued to edge along the salt marsh until in the distance we could see the sparse remains of Cockersands Abbey. A once prosperous community of Premonstratension Monks (Whatever they might be ????) Coffee Time ! ! !
The continuing cold breeze forced us to seek shelter on the "Leeward" side of the Abbey remains. Whilst we had our coffees Vic can be seen leaving the group to go and chat to the farmer herding his cattle...... "Sorry about that Mr. Farmer ! "
We left the ruins and took once more to the coastal path.
As we rejoined the coastal path we could see in the distance the light at the mouth of the river Lune. This marks the edge of the channel at "Plover Scar".
The "Plover Scar" Light.
The path now swung eastward as we headed for Glasson Dock and with the wind now at or backs we felt considerably warmer.
In the distance beyond John, careful scrutiny will reveal a flotilla of swans on the water. (look for vague white dots)
A little further on we passed lighthouse cottage. Perhaps this is where the person lived who in the past attended this vital navigation aid.
A few hundred yards beyond Lighthouse Cottage and we arrived at the next set of farm buildings. After checking out the rather unusual "Garden Ornaments" we turned inland and away from the coast.
A short distance down the messy lane leading away from this coastal farm we came across a tractor which in spite of having seen better days was still obviously in use. Vic decided to check it out.
After choosing a lurid green car last time maybe this could be his next vehicle.
The fields were divided by a deep water filled gully and we had to gently persuade a herd of cows to move away from the gate before we could cross over it.
Our path now lay across open fields as we approached Glasson Dock. These fields had not always been so open as the ancient hedges we passed by demonstrated.
Past yet another caravan park and we arrived at the roads leading down into Glasson.
Before dropping down into the dock we briefly climbed up a sloping road to a viewpoint over the Lune. Here we had a marvellous view of the destination of one of our previous walks. Sunderland point.
"You boy. With the camera. Pay attention !"
The "Ancient Mariner" perhaps ?
As planned we stopped next to the saltwater dock to have our lunch.
And here's the "Old Man of the Sea " again...…………
And maybe this was his vessel....
Lunch over and off we go again. First crossing the Locks by the road bridge...……
Beyond the bridge we joined up with the Glasson arm of the Lancaster canal first following the side of the large freshwater basin at it's end. As we walked we discovered that the "Shipwreck" we saw some years ago was still in the water. It really ought to have been moved.
As the canal leaves the basin there is a tiny and very pretty little church tucked away in the wooded land between the canal and the road. It was in the middle of preparing for a flower festival.
Unusually the church was locked so we quickly left it to continue our way along the canal until we reached the first bridge whereupon we took to the road.
The roads we followed were arrow straight through this very flat part of the countryside and lined on both side by copious growths of reeds.
After about a mile we left the roads to make our way through several large fields again decidedly flat.
The forecast rain now arrived, only a few minutes later than foretold and began to make it's presence felt. For several minutes it lashed down quite heavily making those of us who had decided upon shorts for the day thankful we had also chosen to put our waterproof legs on.
As we passed through a hedge a small capsule caught our attention. It was fastened to the bush roots and appeared to contain small pieces of illegible writing ?????
In view of the recent occurrences in Salisbury we were very caution in investigating it. Perhaps some form of Geocache ? Who knows.
The rain was now fairly continuous and Martin, previously in shirt sleeves and shorts was now fully togged up and waterproof.
Now nearing the walks end we had a couple of gates to negotiate. One in particular was very clear about how we should conduct our passage.
OBVIOUSLY WE DID !
Harry, always a mine of information, told us that "wrought Iron", such as this chain is made of, has not been produced in this country for decades.
Almost there now but a few pauses along the way to allow our foraging fiend (sorry "Friend" ) Danny to pick blackberries.
One last corner and there are the cars. The rain had almost ceased and allowed us to chat for a few minutes as we downed a welcome glass of Martin's shandy.
Perhaps I need to remind our readers that "Drink Driving" is not on the cards. The shandy is LESS than half of one percent alcoholic !!! (but still good).
THE END
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