It is always a delight when the starting point of a walk is right on your doorstep. Such was the case this morning when we fell out of bed and were straight on to the route for the day outside the front door. We were blessed with the weather this trip, today no exception with another day of bright sunshine forecast. The high tide has been coming later in the day as the adventure has progressed. Not expected today until nearer 4.00pm, the plan was to stay on the coast for most of the walk.
Our accommodation was on the canal but there is no direct route down the west side. Consequently, we followed the local streets down to Sandhall where we followed the path of a disused railway. There is an alternative path to the west of the railway line that is used by runners and dog walkers. We preferred the slightly wilder and overgrown path that runs down the side of a large channel leading to Morecambe Bay. Whilst it was a slightly trickier route it was the more interesting with various birds roosting and feeding in the channel at low tide.
The qulity of the early morning light was wonderful, bestowing an ethereal, silver light over the waters and glistening sands. The soft mud of the embankments of the cahnnel are a stark reminder of the dangers of the Morecambe sands. Once clear of the overgrown railway embankment we enjoyed lovely, clear view out over the bay. The main building of the Heysham power station dominated the distant horizon as it has done now for the past seven days. By the sea, fishermen lined the shore, their rods cutting dark lines across the blue sky.
The qulity of the early morning light was wonderful, bestowing an ethereal, silver light over the waters and glistening sands. The soft mud of the embankments of the cahnnel are a stark reminder of the dangers of the Morecambe sands. Once clear of the overgrown railway embankment we enjoyed lovely, clear view out over the bay. The main building of the Heysham power station dominated the distant horizon as it has done now for the past seven days. By the sea, fishermen lined the shore, their rods cutting dark lines across the blue sky.
The path emerges from the disused railway on to the shore just before the Conishead Estate, which is now home to the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre. With too many miles to walk before the tide came in we did not have time to investigate the grounds and temple but it is a place I would like to return to. From Conishead down on to Ulverston Sands the walking was slightly uncomfortable at times on a pebbly / rocky shore. Nonetheless, we persevered and walked on the more solid sand when we had the opportunity. Coming off the shingle at Bardsea, from our vantage point on the shore we had fine views of the Holy Trinity Church on its hilltop location. Built in 1843 it has a prime position looking over the expanse of Morecambe Bay.
All along this shore, as far as far as Moat Farm, we enjoyed beautiful light conditions. Walking under a slightly dark cloud, we were looking out in to the light which gave many of the seascapes an almost dream-like quality. Blues, greys, white and silver colours dominated land and seascapes, lighting the near and distant horizons. The sea water lingering on the sands sparkled and glittered, looking like the sea itself in full sunshine.
The village of Aldingham butts down on to the shore here, the jagged stone boundary of the churchyard of St Cuthbert's the only thing stopping the church and graveyard falling in to the sea. Historical records suggest that in days of yore the village was much larger but it was swept in to the sea. Beyond the churchyard the substantial Aldingham Hall, now a residential care home, can clearly be seen. Along the top of the shore, where the sea has nibbled away the earth, interesting, convoluted roots could be seen beneath the very old trees.
The village of Aldingham butts down on to the shore here, the jagged stone boundary of the churchyard of St Cuthbert's the only thing stopping the church and graveyard falling in to the sea. Historical records suggest that in days of yore the village was much larger but it was swept in to the sea. Beyond the churchyard the substantial Aldingham Hall, now a residential care home, can clearly be seen. Along the top of the shore, where the sea has nibbled away the earth, interesting, convoluted roots could be seen beneath the very old trees.
At Moat Farm you need to cut in to go round the farmhouse and outbuildings. For us it was also necessary because the tide had come in and the water was now lapping on the shore. The farm itself surrounds a rectilinear moat, thought to be the site of a 13th-century hall. Immediately on the shore by the farm there is a sign saying the route through the farm is not a public right of way. However, the farm operate a small cafe / take-away (Wed to Sun) on the other side of the house and you can use this as the excuse to go through. We did and also stopped for coffee and snacks in the garden of the farmhouse where I enjoyed the best cheese burger I think I have ever eaten.
Leaving the farm you go on to the busy A5087 for about one hundred yards before going in to the field on your left to go up the hill to access the coast again. On the hedgerow we were fascinated by the breeding Dragonflies, although they were completely oblivious to our presence.
Back on the coast, the light show continued and we enjoyed further lovely views before we reached the start of the road section at Newbiggin, leading down to the Point at Rampside and our final section up to Roose Railway Station.
Although we were walking on the road, the mixture of verge and pavement was wide enough for us not to feel uncomfortable about the traffic. Nice views continued too with in the middle distance Foulney and Piel Islands nestling off the tip of the mainland and, the bottom of Walney Island peeking round the corner.
Back on the coast, the light show continued and we enjoyed further lovely views before we reached the start of the road section at Newbiggin, leading down to the Point at Rampside and our final section up to Roose Railway Station.
Although we were walking on the road, the mixture of verge and pavement was wide enough for us not to feel uncomfortable about the traffic. Nice views continued too with in the middle distance Foulney and Piel Islands nestling off the tip of the mainland and, the bottom of Walney Island peeking round the corner.
There is not a lot to be said about the actual walk from Rampside. Work has been done to try to create a king of country park feel but it needs time to mature and acquire interest. It goes through a heavy industrialised area until you come to Roosegate, at which point you enter the docks area. We turned off before this however, to finish at Roose station and make our way back to Ulverston.
While the road walk and the route through Roose was not the best end to the day, it could not take away from the magical views we had experienced. The sunlit seascapes of Morecambe Bay will stay with me and, I suspect, will be one of my lasting memories of walking the coast of Great Britain.