The route goes round Hodbarrow Nature Reserve, which overlooks Duddon Estuary. Duddon lagoon was previously the location of an iron mine. The construction of an outside retaining wall in 1905 protected the mine from the sea but with the abandonment of the works in the 1960's, the mine was allowed to flood creating a spectacular fresh water lagoon. Despite the time (9.30am), as we approached it there was still an early morning, ethereal quality to the light over the water which made for fine viewing. Beyond the lagoon, out towards Black Coombe, we could see heavy clouds starting to gather over the mountain and we feared a downpour later in the morning.
On Hodbarrow Point itself there are two lighthouses known as Hodbarrow Lighthouse and Hodbarrow Beacon. The latter is the oldest and one of the last remnants of the old mine works. The Beacon was built in the 19th C. The younger 'Haverigg Lighthouse' as it is sometimes known, was built in 1905 and decommissioned in 1949, before being restored, courtesy of Lottery funding in 2004. In the panorama photograph below, both lighthouses can be seen at either end of the photograph.
It is not only on the rippling sands that one finds such repetitive patterns and they have been a recurring feature of our coastal walk, found in and on all kinds of natural materials. It can vary from the patterns on animals coats, on the shells of sea urchins, regularities and irregularities of form on all sorts of plants from their flowerhead to seed cones, patterns on leaves, rock formations, sand dunes and even the Peacock's tail. Naturally recurring patterns have explained much in mathematics, biology, physics and chemistry. Scientist's and philosopher's alike have studied naturally occurring patterns in nature from the time of Plato, later with Alan Turing in his studies on developmental biology, and currently work on storage systems for everything from computers to flat-pack furniture.
From the far side of Hodbarrow Point there were fine views back over the water towards the area of the Furness Fells, which is where the Old Man of Coniston is located and coming round the west end of Hodbarrow there was a good view forward to the small village of Haverigg.
After clearing the beck we were able to move down on to the beach to continue our adventure which was by now being walked in a gloomy light. At times, it felt as if we were on a night walk and, if the light deteriorated any more, torches would be required. Just after Haverigg the beach is a mixture of stone and sand which can be uncomfortable to walk on. However, to the back of the beach, just above the tide line, there is a clearer, well trodden path that is much easier walking.
Rounding Haverigg Point we passed just below Haverigg Prison where we could clearly hear the noise from something like a football or rugby match; male voices alternatively cheering and jeering. Opened in 1967, the prison is built on the site of the an old RAF airfield. Classed as Category C, the prison accepts category C & D prisoners and, despite one or two costly disturbances, has a good reputation for offering employment and related training. The airfield was commissioned in the build up to WWII and, although initially classed as part of one of the fighter groups, it spent most of its years as a training establishment.
From Annaside the River Annas runs along at the back of the beach before discharging in to the sea across the beach just by the hamlet of Selker. We were unsure of the volume of water that would be involved and whether or not the water could be crossed where the river crosses the beach. Thankfully, there is a footbridge over the river, lying at the back of the dunes before you reach the delta. Care is required then to make sure you find the openings in the dunes to access the bridge. For us, it was so dark that walking further down the beach we could not be confident we would see the opening and so moved closer to the dunes putting up with the uncomfortable walking on the pebbles.