Cockersands

We Just managed to squeeze onto the small layby that was our meeting point. The weather forecast was not good, the sky was looking quite murky and there were a few spots of rain in the air, so we donned our wetwear before setting off along the coastal path. 

No sooner had we left the road than the threat of rain abated, and that was the theme for the rest of the day, a few spots of rain then it passes over.  

There were many sea birds congregating in the river channels, but too far away to make out what they were.

Martin met us for lunch and told us that not everyone had been so lucky with the weather, as he had, from the sheltered confines of his
car, been subjected to about 15 minutes of heavy rain.

Some of the paths on this walk, and also some of the stiles were in need of some t.l.c.
 

The highest point of our walk had within a contained area, a small lake surrounded by thousands of sunflowers.

As we approached the lake, we disturbed a large flock of ducks, who all took to the air in alarm, before landing again at the other end of the lake.

Leaving the lake, it was downhill for most of the way back to the cars, and to meet up again with Matin, who told us there had been another heavy shower.

COCKERSANDS

 "CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN"   6 Miles

Walkers :-  Anthony, Vic, Danny, John W, (Martin).

Martin decided to take a rest this week but still wanted to come along. So after parking our cars we set off without him with the promise to meet him again at lunchtime.

The quiet lane was not quiet at all as there was a constant flow of cars wagons and farm vehicles. Perhaps this sign post would explain why.

Our route was towards Bank End along the "Levee".

To the left were the marshes. To the right was good farmland.

Ahead of us were sheep..... lots of sheep !

As we passed the farm at the end of the levee our keyboard Maestro found a "Pipe Organ" and played a well known tune for us. ( Sadly we couldn't hear it ).

From here the track became a narrow footpath skirting the edge of the marsh.

The path here was partially blocked by a very sophisticated device which  had us mystified - what was it doing ?

Vic, as usual, was full of theories..... hmmm .

A lone sheep had found a comfortable, sheltered spot and had no intention of moving as we passed by.

Along this stretch of coast there are several caravan parks, The entrance (or exit ) to one of them offered seating so we stopped for our morning coffee. As we sat chatting several Dog walkers passed us by. One charming young lady realising that Danny was taking a photo offered to take one of all of us together.

Oops... not a photographer then

That's better ....... but how can you get auto-focus out of focus ?

As we finished our brews and were putting our flasks away a kind gentleman came out of the caravan in the photo to ask "Do you lads want a brew ?".  We thanked him profusely but explained we had flasks and were about to move on.

We continued along the narrow path as the sky began to turn blue and a warm sun came out.

This building was in a field to the side of the path. Obviously a leftover from troubled times . We surmised that it would make a superb holiday let.  A fresh and airy bedroom (Fresh air B&B ?) with sea-view balcony and a draught free (no windows) and cosy living space below....... Perhaps not !

The path now ended and we were walking on wide open fields as we approached Cockersands Abbey.

Cows lying down are a sure sign of........ something...... who knows ? ... but they certainly looked contented in the warm morning  sunshine.

We soon arrived at Cockersands Abbey. A 12th century Abbey (Originally Called "St Mary's the Hospital in the Marshes" ) of which only the Chapter House remains. A Premonstratentian order of Canons (not monks? ). A mysterious name until a notice informed us they originated in Premontre in France and were started by St Norbert ( ??). The canons still have many houses around the world.

At this point we rang Martin to say we were leaving the Abbey and would soon be at the arranged lunch spot.

A well constructed kissing gate led us out of the pasture land and once more onto a narrow footpath. In the distance could be seen the lighthouse marking the point at which the Lune channel narrows as it leads up to Lancaster.

The narrow path led us upstream along the River Lune towards "Lighthouse Cottage" where an eccentrically place window indicated that it had once been a lookout point .

Just by the house was  a small patch of shingle which enabled us to drop down and shelter from the chill breeze coming off the water.

As you can see Martin had driven round to meet up with us for lunch. He had his parked his car quite safely by the roadside next to the cottage but a rather pernickety gentleman came out to ask him to move it to the car park some way along the rough track.

Here's a picture of some ancient gnarled limbs.... and an old tree stump as well.

After the charming people we had met earlier in the day there was a distinctly unwelcoming feel to this spot.

The pernickety man

A signpost to nowhere and....

a very off putting road sign,

The signpost to nowhere with Heysham power station on the horizon

The road sign opposite the "Lighthouse cottage making it quite clear you are not welcome here. The walkers can just be seen still enjoying their lunches.

Lunch over we set off down the road away from the coast. The map told us that a footpath would be found on the right leading through the fields to A HILL upon which there was a triangulation post. When we eventually found the footpath signpost the pointer was missing and when John W touched the wooden post it fell over - rotten to the core.    Brushing the over growth aside we found a bridge.

Once in the field there was no sign of a footpath so at the next field gate we took to the road again till we reached the next mapped footpath. The footpath was now clear but DIFFICULT. Particularly the stiles.

A difficult stile.....

A VERY  difficult stile.....  Yes there is a stile in there .....and a Meanderthal.

Danny waits on the other side to help the others over this EVEN MORE difficult stile.

Once over this third difficult stile the "Mountain"

lay ahead of us.

The foothills of the "Mountain " consisted of some lush green fields rising gently to a mind boggling altitude of something approaching 80 feet. This seems ludicrous but the flat nature of the surrounding terrain meant that at the top of the "Mountain" wonderful 360 degree views of the surrounding land and sea were to be seen. But let's be honest this was a hill which was barely a pimple by Northern England standards. BUT  there at the top there was indeed a O.S. pillar.

There it is across the duck filled pond. (Duck filled Fattypuss joke anyone ?)

As well as the pond and the pillar there was also, on top of the hill, a small field of Sunflowers.

The path now sloped gently down through a large and seemingly prosperous farmyard.

"Afternoon Girls"

Once through the farmyard Danny stopped to ask a horse if we were on the right track.

"I'm telling yu nowt lad."  

"But a horse last week was very helpful"

"Aye. Probably one o' them posh 'orses."

"It was just an ordinary horse."

"Mebbe,.... on yer bike mate !"

So we had to leave the farm without directions. Down the lane we came to another wonderful beast.

As we walked down the lane a cheerful young man in a large 4 X 4 stopped to ask if we were lost. "Oh !  Do we look lost ?"  "Possibly" he said not wishing to offend. " We often are" we replied "but just now we aren't..   Thank You" 

Far from being lost we were very near to the parked cars where Martin waited with choc ices and shandies.

 Wonderful  - Thanks Martin.

Dear me.  What has a very naughty gnome got to do with todays walk ? Well there was a moment !!!!    but as our very secretive government. who seem to work on the "Mushroom" principle often say :-

"It would not be in the public interest to reveal it."

THE END

JW.