GLW2020 : Hovering around Sandside

Tuesday 29th December 2020

And now for something completely different.  Well, soon.  This was a visit to familiar territory and a subset of last week's BOOTboys report- a walk along the old railway track from Sandside to Arnside then back along country lanes- the ground was far too wet to wade through fields.

It was a glorious day with superb long-distance views across the sands to the snow-capped Lakeland hills.  

The tide was rushing out- we didn't anticipate the significance of that at the time.

It was after having crossed the railway by the station bridge that our route departed from that of the BOOTboys.  We turned inland, passing lots of bungalows that bore resemblance to our future Lea Green dwelling.  On a garden gate post was a remarkable sign noting that :

That was something different!

After the level crossing was a bit of an unpleasant trudge along the busy, pavement-less road.  Its only redeeming feature being a glimpse of Arnside Tower across the moss.

We escaped on to the much quieter Storth Road.  This led us past Hazleslack Farm, with its ancient and nearly modern towers......

..... then down through Storth, passing a van offering inspiration for our new kitchen, and back to the coast.

It was there that we saw the something completely different.  The estuary was now low and still.  Suddnely, round the bend came one, then two then more mini-hovercraft.  Six in total. They stopped on a sand bank then flew round in circles before disappearing again out to sea.

Subsequent research suggested that they were from Liverpool but had probably launched at Lancaster.  I wondered how much one would cost.  The answer seems to be about £12,000 for a new model.  Hmm.  A future hobby?  Margaret not keen so probably not.  But it does leave me with one unresolved question.  What is the group noun for a collection of hovercraft in mid flight??

Don, Tuesday 29th December 2020

 

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