Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK)

270 Cockerham to Lancaster

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged hiking, lighthouse, marsh, photography, travel | 21 Comments

269 Fleetwood to Cockerham

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged ferry, hiking, marsh, photography, travel | 35 Comments

268 pm Blackpool to Fleetwood

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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

And 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 →

Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged companions, dogs, photography, tram, travel | 37 Comments

268 am – Blackpool Golden Mile and North Beach

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

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

Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged dalek, hiking, photography, pier, travel | 9 Comments

267 pm – Blackpool South Beach

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged artwork, photography, promenade, roller coaster, travel | 12 Comments

267 Warton to Blackpool

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged hiking, photography, seaside, travel, walking | 11 Comments

266 pm Freckleton to Warton

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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?

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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged aerodrome, cattle, photography, signage, travel | 36 Comments

266 am Preston to Freckleton

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

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.

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Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged hiking, photography, road walking, travel | 12 Comments

265 Tarleton to Preston

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

I leave my car in Tarleton and start road-walking to join the busy A59 and reach the first crossing point over the River Asland (or River Douglas – you have a choice of names!). Thank goodness there is a footpath.

A short time later a signpost tells me I’m entering West Lancashire. It seems an important transition. I’m definitely ‘oop north’ now. Continue reading →

Posted in 17 North West England | Tagged cattle, marshes, photography, travel | 22 Comments

264 Crossens to Hesketh Bank

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Ruth Livingstone

Today my walk gets off to a bad start and comes to a bad end. But the middle section is wonderful. Anyway, let’s start at the beginning.

I park in Banks Road and set off, passing a large granite boulder sat on the verge, which has a metal plaque set into the stone. Intrigued, I pause to read the inscription.