A Walk on the Beach

As we had not visited Cleethorpes for a while we decided to take Jet for a walk on the beach; always a favourite for him as he likes getting into the shallow muddy water and enjoys the lack of restraint by footpaths.  We parked up at Buck Beck as usual and gradually worked our way out to the furthest dunes and then out to the local wreck as it was revealed by the falling tide.  The light was rather harsh and middle of the dayish, but it was good to be out.  Egrets were plentiful on the salt marsh and the call of a curlew, as always, raised the hairs on the back of the neck.  Black headed gulls were alredy coming into breeding plumage.

The Lake District Day 3

We woke this morning to another day of sun and we were to enjoy beautiful weather all day.  We had arranged to meet our friends from Blackpool, Linda and Steve so we breakfasted early and were soon driving alongside the beautiful estuary of the River Kent.  We were just parking up on the prom at Arnside when Linda and Steve arrived and the decision was quickly made to head for a local cafe and coffee and crepes.  I was fascinated by the number of local trains crossing back and forth over the railway viaduct so set out to photograph it while the ladies 'did' the shop.  We bought pasties for lunch from the tempting local bakery, stashed them in our rucksacks and struck off along the estuary shore to walk round to Silverdale.  I was intrigued to discover that it is from here that the foot crossings are made across Morecambe Bay.  In fact we sat and enjoyed our pasties at the point where the guide picks up the parties right on the point.  There were views here across to Lancaster, Blackpool and, looming on the horizon Heysham nuclear power station.

It wasn't long before we left the beach at Silverdale and climbed up through attractive woodland to the summit of Arnside Knott.  From here there were expansive views over the estuary of the Kent and Grange-Over-Sands to the Lakeland Fells.  We descended steeply back to the village when it was declared beer o'clock, actually shandy o'clock, and then we discovered the excellent Arnside Fish and Chip Shop for tea.  Wonderful.

On the way home we had a slight diversion to check out Leighton Moss RSPB reserve for another visit and called in for a drink at The Strickland Arms to book a table for Friday for a meal with Thomas.

Once again the day finished with a walk across the fields to 'that tree' for the sunset.  Memo to oneself: make sure that the camera battery is charged!!

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