HEST BANK

 TIDE to TOWPATH  6-  Miles

DREAMY DAWDLERS :- Vic, Anthony, Martin 

                                          Danny, Mike, John

It is , by now, no secret that our once youthfully brisk pace has over the years become an almost somnolent  stroll. But there is a certain pleasurable warmth in the thought that "It doesn't matter" . Within reason, time is at our disposal.

So off we set along the prom at a gently pleasant pace.

We left the edge of the bay quite soon and a gentle uphill slope took us into Hest Bank and then down towards the station......

..............where we  found ourselves in an obviously prosperous area with some most attractive houses 

Could this be "Art Deco" it certainly feels reminiscent of Agatha Christies Era

In the window of this antique shop can be seen, if you look carefully, two less than exciting "Antiques".

Past the station and back to the shore.

Eleven o'clock had passed and it was time to find seats for coffee time.

After a suitably prolonged Brew-Break, sitting at the edge of the shingle and mud and watching the seaside wildlife, we rejoined the rough track heading towards Red Bank atop of which is an O.S. Trig Point.

Here's our leader going boldly through the boulders.

There were lots of large boulders suitably position along the footpath but other things were unsuitably deposited ON the footpath. I think Mike has just found one.

Well here's the post but where's the gate?

There's Red Bank but our leader had other thoughts in mind and we turned away before reaching it.

A little rain had been forecast during the morning but it was only a little and the high cloud cover had an almost "Turner-esque" feel to it.

I wonder if that horse appreciates the splendour of it's blanket ?

Throughout this area and further up into the Silverdale region you are almost always close to a caravan park. most of which appear attractive (if that's your "bag" as they say) and well organised.

That looks a tempting hill for a future walk but I'm confident we can resist the temptation 😄

The eternal fascination of trees !

Nothing to do with our walk but a bit of nostalgia. Had to take a photo as we passed by.

As we arrived at the turning point of our walk a flash of colour caught our eyes.

Well, rather more than a flash in fact and just beyond it we turned way from the road in search of the canal, our route back to the cars.

"Now where's that canal ?" thinks Danny. Today's leader.

"Ah... here it is through this gap."

and off we go along the canal.

Lunchtime and a few words from our leader.

"Now sit still and be quiet.  No squabbling.  Eat your crusts and don't dribble with your coffees. Little boy blue you can stay over there. I don't trust you on the bench with the others. "

The area on the opposite bank was obviously affluent with large (and super large) houses with immaculately manicured gardens down to the canal. I feel sorry for that poor dog (bottom right) It has to swim to get in or out of it's kennel.

We wondered what this  arch was intended for . Mike suggested it might be another "Arch Deco"  house.  Ho !  Ho ! Ho !

Back to Venice for these two photos.. or Cambridge or Oxford for yet another bridge of "Sighs"

During the pandemic much of Britain's wildlife seems to have become bolder. Herons seem to be a particular example.

In the distance behind this trio you can see the coastal stretch we had walked along an hour or so before.

Our "Bold and fearless" leader (below) is an essential member of each weeks foray. Essential - because he's the only one who can climb hills without puffing like an ageing grampus.

Posh 'ouses continued to decorate the far bank of the canal.

Our forbears didn't just build utilitarian bridges over the canals. They made them look good as well ( perhaps I'm talking in hindsight and wearing rose coloured spectacles ??? )

Yet more posh 'owses. This one with posh statues as well.

Definitely turning it's nose up at the peasants across the water !

Well Well. I've heard of headless chickens (There's a few in parliament ) but headless swans ???

This person has really splashed out on his halloween theme.  I suspect he (or Her... careful John)  are not on Universal Credit .  

My apologies ! NO MORE POLITICS  again  NO MORE POLITICS.

A grade 2 listed building. Formerly a warehouse so the owner told us.

Another old bridge which greatly enhances the romantic feel of this shot.

We increasingly come across attractive benches such as this. Hand crafted and appropriately themed.

Up here fellas, We're leaving the canal.

and setting off down a narrow lane which was later to become even narrower.

HEY !  What yu doin' with that HAY ?

 We had just been under a railway and almost at once we go over one.

The sign said "Do not Trespass" so John did. That is until the thunderous noise of an approaching train made him leap clear. (sort of)   Silly Boy !  The train roared past on the mainline  about 100 metres away . But it was a scary noise 'onest !

The path was, as you can see, getting very narrow by now. The apparent tunnel is bushes NOT a bridge.

Danny stops to identify some brilliant red berries. I am sure he will tell you what they are in his version of the blog.

This bridge was of "No size !"  It crossed a rather damp ditch (stream ?)

As we continued the path had an almost Gothic, Transylvanian appeal .

Then suddenly we burst out into the edge of Happy Mount Park. This brought back memories of taking children round the Parks fascinating "Illuminations" show

At this point John very foolishly had a go on the "Zip-Wire". Foolish because Danny filmed it..     Oh NO !

Almost for the first time during the day it began to drizzle as we walked through the park.

Yes Thank You. We did.

Almost the end of our walk but as we walked along the prom we came across the statue of VENUS and CUPID.  I have always though it was a mother giving a child a "Twirl"  but that would be all but impossible sitting down.

Typical of Morecambe Bay there was a damp , grey charm about the seascape as we walked back to the cars.

 These wild flowers were not grey and damp but most certainly charming.

The Lake District is known to have a wide variety of geological types and I think these beach pebbles give testimony to that as they have possibly been brought here by the action of ice and river outwash.

Back at the cars Mike produced some delightful scones to celebrate his recent birthday ,   70.......er... something. Thanks Mike.  But more pertinently. Thanks Kath for baking them

Well done Danny an excellent walk.

THE END

JW