I avoid Skin Burn in Skinburness, and even worse down Dicktrod Lane, round Grune Point, then trudge the lanes past various salt marshes. I visit the abbey that Robert the Bruce and some local teenager once trashed, accidentally trespass across some fields, and end at a fortified church protected by an eagle.
A 13 mile beach that just goes on and on and on and on..... and I get very muddy.
In which I trespass through an old iron works, visit Christmas-land, and ponder the hills of Dumfries and Galloway.
In which I climb over 1000 feet over the beautiful St Bees Head, visit the pretty town of Whitehaven, and get bored to sleep by a guy on top of a hill.
My first walk in a long time, where I pass the site of the worst nuclear accident in British history, a strange beach village, and discover the made up history of St Bega.
In which I invite my girlfriend along for a short stroll, and things don't quite turn out like I'd planned.
This section has been a long time coming. It fills a gap I left a year ago, then just as the time became right to walk it, the whole country went into another Covid lockdown. The other obstacle is the River Esk, and how to get across it. This map explains.... It's that word in … Continue reading 23. Bootle to Ravenglass
In which I encounter two lighthouses, battle my way across boulder fields, contemplate cliff climbing, and nearly fall in a river.
In which I suffer greatly from yesterday's 15 miles, cross the railway line Gofd knows how many times, and pick a fight with a sheep.
In which I get to like the town of Barrow, consider risking drowning, get stopped by the fuzz, take a big tumble and hurt myself, then get sunburnt crossing a desert.
My longest walk so far on this adventure, in which I discover the shittiest island so far, and encounter a strange cloaked figure.
A walk I've put off for three weeks due to my dislike of cycling! It takes me up and down a mountain, around the Leven estuary, dodging cars and lorries on the A590, and all the time I think I could have waded across the river.
I consider risking the marshes around the hilariously named Humphrey Head, trudge a few more lanes (more happily this time), completely fail to spot a peregrine, then skirt the Low Marsh as the fading shafts of sunlight glimmer off the water.
OK, this walk doesn't strictly start from Sandside. Sandside is south of the River Kent, and this walk starts from the opposite bank of the river, on the north side. That's because on the last stage I waded across the river to the start point of this walk, and so I can start from there … Continue reading 16. Sandside to Grange-Over-Sands
On the hottest day of the year, I set off in jeans and a women's hat - seemed like a good idea in the morning! I meet a friend, and decide to wade across the river, because it's just such a long boring walk otherwise!
