GLW2008 : South Walney Nature Reserve

Tuesday 21st July 2020

That proved to be the case although there were a couple of erstwhile wardens- stood down because they were in C-19 isolation.  I checked that it was for age reason and not due to infection. They kindly provided us with a leaflet plus information as to where we might see the seals.

We left Suzi in the car park and set off south on the red route.  The day was exceptionally clear.  The Lake District panorama, Ingleborough and the Lancashire hills could be easily seen.

Click on the picture for the enlargement

The trail took us past ponds where gravel had been quarried, .....

..... some of which were now used for growing oysters.

Butties were eaten overlooking a bay. 

The tide was up and we could see several colonies of birds and, in the distance, a few seals basking on the beach plus more heads bobbing up and down in the water. 

The warden lady came walking by and told us what birds could be spotted where and when.  She was anxious to make us understand that she was a watcher not a twitcher.  It turned out that what we had thought were basking seals were actually some big birds, I forget what sort.  However she confirmed that the bobbing heads were indeed seals playing in the water.

Once round the point, the nature of the terrain changed to become much more like sand dunes.  Now the view was the coast line across the estuaries down to a very noticeable Blackpool Tower.  To its right (the sea side) I could see faintly some more structures and on consulting the map came to the conclusion that they must be Liverpool Docks.

Something else we spotted were strange markings in the sky, as if from an earlier age when men were able to fly.  And women and children.

Margaret had a lovely time photographing the many wild floweres which included, I am told, Viper's Gloss and Heartsease Pansy as seen to the right here.

As there were no seals basking we thought we would do the job for them so festered on the edge of the beach watching the army of windmills not turning. 

Eventually we remembered we had left Suzi in the car park and we had better be getting back to her.  Fortunately she was still there.  So was Peil Island but the tide had now gone out.

Suzi took us a strange way back through Barrow.  Margaret had some stern words for her before she brought us to Rampside and the causeway to Roa Island. 

We followed the shore road as far as Ulverston.  It was a reminder of our happy days on the Cumbria Coastal Path.

Suzi behaved herself on the way home.  No unexpected detours and excellent road manners. Nippy when needed.  She's a nice motor.  I think she will be happy to take us for many more Great Little Walks.

  Don, Tuesday 21st July 2020 

Great
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