A bit more cloud and breeze around today, but some lovely hazy sunshine during the afternoon. Another quiet walk was the order of the day today and so off to Flookburgh we went. Parking up in the village centre we set off in search of the sea and after a mile or so as the road ran out, we joined a track running along the top of Old Embankment.

Several hundred metres of marshland separated us from miles of the low tide sand of Morecambe Bay and the sea, until we reached Cowpren Point where we were able to scramble over the grassy hummocks and step over the little water inlets onto the beach.

Not the prettiest beach and like yesterday a bit on the muddy side but plenty of space for Poppydog to have a good run around with out causing any bother!

And look across Cartmel Sands at the mountains of The Lakes in the distance – can’t see any snow on the peaks anymore!

From here to Sandy Gate the path took us up the estuary, where we followed the lanes back into Flookburgh – a good 5 mile round walk with not a soul in sight.

Two thoughts of the day:

Baptiste – clear as mud as per!!

I always wondered where all the sand off Kennack and Kynance went to during the winter – well its all up here in Morecambe Bay!!!

Not quite wall to wall sun, but pretty much so. As the little folk have arrived we were looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten track and this 7 mile round trip certainly hit the mark.

We parked up in the little village of Haverthwaite and took the Cumbria cycle route along the shores of the River Leven (feeding from Windermere) towards Greenodd.

The track passes through woodland (Rousea Wood), marshy grazing land and nature reserve and over the 3 miles we passed one cyclist and two walkers – so perfect. Oh and look who else we saw?

Seriously think these cows are so photogenic!

As we arrived at the footbridge to Greenodd the river bank widens and gives way to a large expanse of slightly muddy sand (tidal).

Plenty of space for Poppydog to stretch her legs, though she did become a bit irritating barking all the while for me to throw stones – of which there were none, so she got put back on the lead!

We turned about at Mearness Point and followed a slightly different route back.

Two thoughts of the day:

I love it when a plan comes together!

Fortunately this muddy sand dries easily to dust – pfff and it is gone!

A frosty start to another fabulous day. Though a bit of a trek from here, the day is just too nice, so off to Walney we head. This time we parked up at Sandy Gap (more free parking) immediately across the Island from the bridge to explore the southern half of Walney West Shore.

Just as we got onto the beach, Poppydog discovered an abandoned (well I hope it was abandoned!) football – oh she really is in heaven now!

So we spent a happy hour, not going far, playing football, loosely working our way along Biggar Bank Beach.

Eventually, as we were getting no where fast, I called time on the fun and games and hid the football behind a bin (ready for the next player to come along) and we continued our walk along the beach. From Bent Haw the beach has more frequent scars (patches of stones and broken shells) but still some lovely patches of sand in between.

What a beautiful afternoon and though there were quite a few wandering along the path on the top, the beach for the most part was empty.

Two thoughts of the day:

Fair trade Town? Ever heard of such a thing? Well for your info both Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston are and according to google to qualify they have to serve Fairtrade Coffee and Tea at their Council Meetings and at least two shops / cafes must offer some Fairtrade products – really? I thought all councils were strapped for cash – feels like another town twinning project!

On a fairly similar vein – pleased to see that they have postponed making more sections of our motorways ‘smart’ until they have finished the existing sections – wow what an amazing level of common sense!