272 Oxcliffe to Sunderland Point

Posted on September 29, 2016 by

It’s a long drive from Lincolnshire to Lancaster. My husband has come with me, and we eat a late lunch at the famous Snatchers Inn, otherwise known as the Golden Ball pub. The sun is shining when we arrive and we eat outside. But, by the time we’ve finished lunch, the weather has changed. Dull. Rain threatening.

I set off down the road. There are dairy cows in the fields and they look very skinny to me. Huge udders and ribs showing. Poor things.

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But I don’t have to worry about cattle encounters, as I will be road walking for the next few miles. Continue reading →

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271 Lancaster to Oxcliffe

Posted on September 24, 2016 by

I’m going home today, but have planned a shortish, circular walk for this morning. My lunchtime destination? The pub on the other side of the river – the one I saw yesterday.

First I want to explore Lancaster, and so I walk up the hill behind my hotel, through an area called Quay Meadows. On the way I have a tremendous view of the priory and castle, looming above me – but sadly am unable to take photographs because of poor light conditions and my temperamental camera.

The town centre is mainly traffic free and I have a delightful meander. Lancaster reminds me of my home town of Stamford, although much larger. It’s got the same historic feel, and the older houses are built from a similar warm-looking stone.

I walk back down to the river and stand on a footbridge to take a photo looking back at St George’s Quay.

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Continue reading →

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270 Cockerham to Lancaster

Posted on September 22, 2016 by

It’s another dull morning. From Marsh Lane I rejoin the Lancashire Coastal Way and walk through low-lying fields, full of sheep, past Pattys Farm (nice name) towards Bank End. The path curves around what might have once been a beach.

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269 Fleetwood to Cockerham

Posted on September 20, 2016 by

When I arrive at Knott End-on-Sea, the tide is low and the ferry over to Fleetwood isn’t running yet. I could just set off walking from here, but I want to take the ferry to Fleetwood and back, in order to keep the circuit of my walk complete.

slipway

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268 pm Blackpool to Fleetwood

Posted on September 19, 2016 by

After a frustrating diversion around a building site, I finally reach the promenade at Cleveleys.

30-daughter-and-dog-walking-the-english-coastAnd there is my daughter, Ella, walking to meet me, along with her beautiful springer spaniel, Lottie. She looks happy to see me – the dog, I mean.

I’m now both very hot and very thirsty. Continue reading →

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268 am – Blackpool Golden Mile and North Beach

Posted on September 18, 2016 by

I’m back in Blackpool and staying near a place called Gynn Square. In the morning I set off to catch the tram, and one of the things I notice is a wonderful memorial to honour the emergency service people who lose their lives while helping others.

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But the main thing I notice is… Daleks! Continue reading →

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267 pm – Blackpool South Beach

Posted on September 17, 2016 by

I’ve reached the southern end of Blackpool. Well, I hadn’t expected so much empty sand! Where’s the sea?

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267 Warton to Blackpool

Posted on September 17, 2016 by

Back in Warton, I walk along a narrow path beside a ditch to regain the Lancashire Coastal Way. Through a gate I can see where the footpath ended yesterday. It’s only 50 yards away and, despite the crudely painted ‘PRIVATE’ signs on the gate, I can see others have ignored the warnings and simply walked straight across the gap.

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266 pm Freckleton to Warton

Posted on September 2, 2016 by

I’ve reached the beginning of the Lancashire Coastal Way and, after checking my map, I’m anticipating an easy stroll along a river bank following a proper waymarked footpath.

Unfortunately, the Way gets off to a bad start as I end up in a ramshackle marina, where I see plenty of ‘Private’, ‘NO ENTRY’, ‘Please Keep to the Path’, and ‘Beware of the Dog’ signs. But where’s the footpath gone?

20 the creek, Freckleton, Ruth hiking to Blackpool

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266 am Preston to Freckleton

Posted on September 1, 2016 by

I am worried about today’s walk from Preston to Freckleton. The obvious route – along a major A road – looks unpleasant and potentially dangerous. So I have mapped out a tortuous inland route, involving footpaths that might not exist in reality, and minor roads that may turn out to be not-so-minor.

My walk begins, however, as a pleasant stroll through parkland.

01 park in Preston, Ruth Livingstone

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