TILL MAY BE OUT 6 Miles
WALKERS :- Anthony. Martin, Danny, Vic, Mick John W.
With little trouble we parked on the shore near "Wild Duck Hall". However a notice nearby informed us that high tides and strong winds (forecast) would possibly flood the car park. So some of us moved a little inland then set off to follow the tideline northward.
Our route at first followed a tarmacked road but it wasn't long before this ended and we were on a rough track.
As always our path involved rough scrambly bits and proximity to water.
To the left as we walked were acres of sea washed turf typical of the marshes fringing Morecambe Bay and beyond these the vast stretches of the bay itself.
Danny adventurous as usual left us to explore further out where he came across --- SHEEP !
Danny proved a remarkable shepherd as the sheep gathered in front of him as he returned to the path.
As we walked it was quite pleasing to see that although there was a certain amount of man made detritus littering the shore much of the stranded flotsam was natural (wood) some even quite attractive.
Here we cross a dike where a sign names it but also tells us that "Endangered Eels" are being given a helping hand to reach inland waters which will be their homes for quite a few years. I'll bet they're glad of a leg up after swimming thousands of miles from Mexico (Sargasso Sea).
As our group (which has been going for 14 years) gets older. SMILEAGE perhaps becomes more important than MILEAGE. So we often TALK more than WALK. This can sometimes be serious debate but is more likely to be TRIVIA.
The remarkable drop in temperature since the day before caused us to remember the proverb "Cast ne'er a clout 'till May be out." This was today's first topic. But was it the month of May or the May flowers ?
The answer was all around us
The large white flowered bush behind Martin is Hawthorn also known as the May Bush but it was not till later when Mick produced his "Ladybird Book of Trees" that the flowering of the bush was confirmed as the starting gun for shedding of clothes.
In places, as we walked, large rocks bolstered the sea defences against high tides and winter storms.
After a couple of miles the highly variable route of the scrappy footpath came to an end at a gated stile.
Now our path climbed briefly but steeply up to a tarmacked road which we would follow for a couple of hundred yards. Here we found an ancient relic and a bench for him to sit on.
We soon left the tarmac and took a lane leading to Galley Hall" a large old building where a sign told us to take a "Temporary" path once we were through the yard. This soon had us confused as temporary seemed also to mean NO FOOTPATH SIGNS !
We followed the almost obscured instructions but seemed to be getting nowhere. We decided to follow our original map and plan but this took us to a completely overgrown stile which was impossible to climb over and then the map appeared to tell us to go straight through a pond. RIDICULOUS !
After a long and wide detour we ended up turning back through the "Pond" area which was something of a boggy wasteland.
In the "wasteland"
Emerging from the "Wasteland"
Anthony escapes the "Wasteland".
Very soon a gate took us out of the wasteland and into a large but sheltered field. LUNCHTIME !
Lunchtime with the bushes behind telling us we can remove our clothing ……. Please don't ….. Not a pretty thought !
"If you go down to the woods today "
Mick searches for his "Ladybird" tree checker.
As we sat munching a large animal up the field caused some debate. Was it a SHEEP ? Was it a DONKEY ? Was it a LLAMA ? It turned out to be a sheep . Either a Border Leicester or a Blue Faced Leicester.
Border Leicester
Bluefaced Leicester
Lunch over we climbed up the sloping field to a green lane which took us to a large group of buildings called "Hagg Farm"
Once again the sprawling buildings caused us some difficulty as there appeared to be a certain dereliction about the place and was no clear indication of a right of way - gates were firmly closed.
...and welcome signs there were clearly NOT !
…….. unless you have somewhat ghoulish propensities.
A small dog came rushing out to noisily see us off but it's lady owner was far more friendly and helpful.
Leaving Haggs farm we arrived at a railway bridge over the River Keer and right turn took us past a very large area of railway sidings which we assumed were part of the storage area for Carnforths Railway Museum ???.
From here the next notable feature of our walk began - - HORSES ! As we followed the edge of the field horses came to join us.
"Follow me Follow me."
We eventually left this field and stopped (Horse free) for a short rest and flask finishing.
C'mon Mick …. time to move on.
But then..... a couple of fields later … MORE HORSES.
They were all very friendly. In fact too friendly being very interested in our rucksacks …… Food bags perhaps ?
Taking a bridge photo was difficult as the camera man was being nudged by one of the ponies.
Then they gathered by the bridge as if wishing us "Goodbye".
Goodbye horses...…… Hello cows
After the cows we followed a very pretty "Green Lane" which led us to the edge of a large caravan park.
As we passed through the park a friendly warden offered to take a group photo. "Thank You" we said.
Just before leaving the caravan park we came across another ancient relic and accompanying bench.
...and so, back onto the shore and a brief sun filled plod back to the cars. The threatened high tide had not materialised and the vehicles were high and dry.
Just time for Martin's shandy before driving home after a surprisingly interest filled walk .
THE END
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