GLW2011 : Sun, Sea and Sandscale

Monday 24th August 2020

As far as Great Little Walks go, this one doesn't take a lot of description.  It was a beautiful August day, albeit with a cold breeze.  We drove, no hardship in this scenery, to the west coast to what in essence would be our next stage on the Cumbria Coastal Way.

The target was the Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, a patch of land on the Duddon estuary that enjoys a spectacular view over to the Lakeland hills.

We were lucky to find a parking place although no doubt Jamie or Emma would remind us that "There's always a place for Daddy".  The tide was way out and quite a few folk were enjoying themselves on the sands, with or without dogs or children.  

We walked west along the beach and soon left most behind.  To our left was a maze of sand dunes.  Beneath our feet, masses of shells, a selection of which we collected and carried in the only bag we had- an anti-coronavirus glove!

Out to sea- the Isle of Man.

 We took advantage of one of the hillocks to shelter from the breeze whilst we had lunch then continued south round the coast nearly as far as Lowsy Point.  It sounds a weird name but it presumably takes its name from the Cumbria dialect for Low Sea.  Beyond we could see Walney Island.

Into the sand dunes we headed for the return, climbing several very small hillocks before dropping back down to the beach .  

The tide had now come in and the Lakeland hills provided a splendid backdrop. The water was almost lapping by our feet as we retraced our steps back to the car for the fine drive home, though Margaret slept all the way! Another Great Little Walk.

  Don, Monday 24th August 2020

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