293 Maryport to Silloth

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

This morning the sun is shining. The fine weather isn’t going to last for long, but I manage to photograph Maryport looking beautiful, with the tide in and the harbour full, and a line of wind turbines gleaming on the horizon.

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292 Workington to Maryport

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I catch the train from Maryport to Workington. Today, due to transport logistics, I’ve only planned a short walk. So I can relax, take my time, and enjoy the day. And I’m following the official England Coast Path – so nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?

From the train station, I follow the England Coast Path signs along a road, and then climb a footbridge over the railway line. On the other side, I stop to take a photograph looking back at Workington. The Cumbrian hills make a dramatic backdrop.

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Shortly after I pull my camera out, I realise I’ve lost the polarising filter from off the front of my lens. Not a good start. Continue reading →

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291 Parton to Workington

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I park in Parton, duck under the railway line, and find the shore. This is Parton Bay and I think there might be a sandy beach here when the tide is low.

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290 St Bees, Whitehaven and Parton

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I catch the train to St Bees, an ancient village and once the site of a Norman Priory dedicated to Saint Bega, from where it gets its name. I pass her statue (I think) on the bridge as I walk towards the coast.

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[Later I learn the statue is St George, not St Bees, after all!] Continue reading →

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289 Sellafield to St Bees

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

I catch the train back to Sellafield station. I can’t find a way to continue via the beach (the River Ehen is in the way) and so head inland along the road.

Sellafield’s high perimeter fence, checkpoints and security men are intimidating, and put me off taking photographs. I turn off down a track and, as soon as I’ve gone far enough and feel ‘invisible’, I turn around and take some shots of Sellafield’s skyline.

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288 Ravenglass to Sellafield

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s a misty January day in Ravenglass, and I’m about to start my first coastal walk of 2017. It’s good to be back.

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Ravenglass seems cut off from the rest of the world. Surrounded by water, it is the place where three rivers with weirdly short names (the River Esk, the River Irt and the River Mite) all empty into the sea. It was once a busy Roman port. Now it’s… quiet. Continue reading →

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287 Eskmeals Range to Ravenglass

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

Should be a short walk today. Only 4-5 miles from Stubb’s corner to Ravenglass. The only problem is… there’s a ford to cross. I’m optimistic all will be well – I’ve brought my waterproof socks with me!

I begin at the southern end of the Eskmeals Range, where a beautiful rainbow hangs across the beach.

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286 pm Haverigg to Eskmeals Range

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

The farm track grows narrower and comes over a rise. The sea is ahead. Now I have a choice: (a) go down and walk along the shingly beach, or (b) stick to the footpath over the top of the cliffs.

I decide to opt for the route that’s easiest on my feet, and best for enjoying the views, and so I choose the cliffs.

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286 am Haverigg to Eskmeals Range

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

I start my walk from Haverigg, where pastel-painted houses line the little harbour. It looks very pretty in the clear light of a November morning.

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Today I’m heading northwards, and my walk begins along a wonderful stretch of sand, fringed by dunes. The tide is low at the moment and the only thing to spoil my enjoyment of the beach is the fact the sea is nowhere to be seen! Continue reading →

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285 pm Broughton to Haverigg

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s another 3-4 miles to Millom, and after my snack lunch I resume my walk along the bank, heading southwards and into the sun.

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On my right I pass a ruined brick structure, which at first I think might be some left over WW2 defences, but the rusting silhouette of a flying duck makes me think it’s probably used as a bird hide now. Continue reading →

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