Just before Foxfield there is an almost single track road going off to the right which rises steeply up the hill to eventually come in to Broughton-in-Furness from the east. Towards the brow of the hill you pass in to the Western Lake District with the Dunnerdale Fells lying in front of you. Going north beyond Dunnderdale lies the Old Man of Coniston and to the east below the Old Man, lies Coniston Water.
I didn't know what to expect of the road but it proved to be a delightful walk during which I did not see a single vehicle until I re-joined a larger road at Boothwaite Nook, just before Broughton-in-Furness. From the roadside which rises steeply there were nice views across the dales which gave you a clear sense of what it must be like to live and work in this landscape. When I was a young boy whenever I recited or sang Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Vagabond', I would dream of days walking on roads such as this with all my worldly belongings wrapped in a spotted handkerchief, hanging from a rudimentary walking stick!
Shortly after Duddon Bridge my route took a right to head for a public footpath that cuts through the site of the old Duddon Iron Works, located in Furnace Woods. The actual iron furnaces, built in 1736, were driven by water power and fuelled by charcoal, using ten acres of coppiced woodland every week. There are substantial remains of the furnaces and the supporting buildings still on the site providing a fascinating glimpse to the industrial past of this remote rural area.
The path does not go to the top of the hill. About half-way up there is a steep, stony, zig-zag path on the left that descends back to the main road. However, you are not long on the main road, literally a few minutes, before you turn off. As you come off the hill there is a broad grassy area that enables you to walk the short distance to the quiet minor road that eventually leads down to Ladyhall and from there on to the quiet and remote feeling seawall.
The distance on the seawall from Lady Hall Hill to Millom is just a tad short of eight kilometres. Initially walking on Shaw Marsh, at Green Station there is a little jink to move on to a different dyke at Arnaby Marsh, finally walking along Millom Marsh. There were some interesting views across the marsh but with the poor conditions it was becoming a bit of a drudge. With the darkening skies I could see that much heavier rain could be expected. I tried to keep going but just after coming on to Millom Marsh I gave in to hunger and stopped by some sheep pens to shelter from the rain and wind and eat some lunch. Shortly after I started back I was surprised by the sight of my wife walking along the seawall coming out to meet me. it faired cheered me up and we finished the last couple of miles in happy harmony.