Late Summer Walk in Silverdale, Sunday September 16th - Leader David Miller

Reporter: Chris Fildes

There was a good turn-out for this walk. Fifteen of us plus three doggies, Dolly, Bailey & Freddie, met in Eaves Wood Car Park. We came well equipped with waterproofs and Umbrellas. Two of the canine members were also wearing waterproofs. (Not Dolly though).

We set off about 10.15am following the path through Eaves Wood, then along some quiet lanes before eventually reaching the coast at The Cove, which appeared ‘ethereal’ in the mist. We headed southwards along sections of coastal path, treading carefully on the outcrops of limestone (slippery in the rain and tricky holding brollies), passing some old fisherman’s cottages, also an ore smelting chimney and a lime kiln, (evidence of the area’s industrial past), eventually reaching Jack Scout and Jenny Brown’s Point.

We then followed the path around eastwards to meet The Lancashire Coastal Way, where it crosses the salt marsh on a raised dyke. Jonquil and Andrew left us here, while we searched for a dry spot for lunch, this turned out to be a soggy huddle in the woods. However, the Eccles cakes & home baking on offer, were much appreciated!!

We continued on, crossing the railway line at the unmanned crossing near Quaker’s Stang, and after walking through woodland, farmland and again along, pleasant country lanes, we reached the environs of Leighton Hall (Privately owned by the Gillow furniture family) - with its extensive grounds. Apparently an excellent viewpoint in better weather! We then crossed Leighton Moss and Silverdale golf course before returning to Eaves Wood Car Park via Red Bridge Lane at approx. 3.30pm.

As the original 14km route, was shortened to 12km due to the weather conditions, we had time to drive round to Arnside to enjoy the view from the promenade across Morecambe Bay, (from inside the Arnside Chip Shop)!
The fish and chips - delicious!
The company - excellent!
The weather ....... mostly wet!

Since there was the occasional dry spell and mild conditions, the walking wasn’t too uncomfortable - in fact it was well worth the effort! Check out some misty snaps, taken by David Shepherd on the Clubs’ Yahoo site.

Well done Dave & Vanessa! The walk was a good one and I’m sure we would all like to visit to this lovely part of the Lancashire / Cumbria borders again, in the near future.