| Area: | NW Lancashire | Ascent: | 80feet |
| Walk No: | 508 | Time: | 2 hours |
| Date: | 22nd March 2011 | Parking: | Middleton Sands |
| Distance: | 4.0miles | Weather: | Fine & Sunny |
| Route: |
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We couldn't go far today as the fridge we had ordered yesterday was due to be delivered. It didn't arrive until about 2pm so we decided on a visit to Sunderland Point and a visit to Sambo's Grave. It was however only an hours ebb and they were fairly big tides. Even if the tidal road to Sunderland was clear of water it would be very muddy. With this in mind we decided to leave the car on the shore at Middleton. This would also add a bit onto the walk to test the knee/ankle.
Route Map
We arrived just in time to see the Ben My Chree just leaving Heysham Harbour on its way to the Isle of Man.
The Ben My Chree with the faint outline of Black Combe behind her.
Edith meanwhile is still getting ready.
It's a few years since we came this way but nothing seems to have changed.
It's not the most exciting of terrain but for an old goat with with a dicky knee & ankle it's just fine and far better than sat at home.
Looking over to the hills of Bowland.
Sunderland Brows Farm as we pass by.
A tree shows the direction of the prevailing winds in the area.
Driftwood and sleepy cows. The disadvantage of a tidal beach in a bay is that once washed up any rubbish usually stays put.
A look back shows that the shoreline is littered with rubbish. Driftwood and its like is no problem but the amount of plastic is terrible.
I couldn't make my mind up whether this was the remains of an old railway carriage or not.
Regular readers will now see we are in more familiar territory. This is the The Lane that runs from the river side of the point to the shore side...
.....and a few yards on the entrance to Sambo's Grave.
Here lies
Poor SAMBOO
A faithfull NEGRO
Who
(Attending his Maſter from the Weſt Indies)
DIED on his Arrival at SUNDERLAND
Full sixty Years the angry Winter's Wave
Has thundering daſhd this bleak & barren Shore
Since SAMBO's Head laid in this lonely GRAVE
Lies still & ne'er will hear their turmoil more.
Full many a Sandbird chirps upon the Sod
And many a Moonlight Elfin round him trips
Full many a Summer's Sunbeam warms the Clod
And many a teeming Cloud upon him drips.
But still he sleeps—till the awakening Sounds
Of the Archangel's Trump new Life impart
Then the GREAT JUDGE his Approbation founds
Not on Man's COLOR but his—WORTH of HEART.
James Watſon Scr. H.Bell del. 1796
The grave is neat & tidy, a tribute to the many youngsters that visit.
A little advertisement in the Visitors Book which is located near the entrance.
With a look back we then made our way towards the point.
Looking across the fields to Second Terrace.
Approaching the point I have to watch my footing. It is easy to twist on the stony ground.
Plover Scar Lighthouse
Rounding the ever eroding point.
We are round the point now and the sea as been replaced by the River Lune. The section from here to the Old Hall ahead of us is the hardest part to walk.
Looking across the River Lune to Clougha Pike with the buildings of Lancaster University in the centre.
And across the river to Crook Farm with the Bleasdale Moors behind.
This Small Tortoiseshell was soaking in the sun on a south facing wall as we approached the Old Hall.
Back on a level path for a while as we make our way to Second Terrace.
Second Terrace. Most of the buildings would have been warehouses originally.
Looking up the river towards Overton and Bazil Point.
The "road" between First and Second Terrace.
A nice show of Daffodils over the wall.
The line of blue, black and yellow bouys astern of the boat I suspect is a Whitebait net. There were a couple more further along.
The reason we parked at Middleton. The tidal road will have a nice covering of mud all the way to Overton.
Edith waits patiently for me.
We walked back along First Terrace to take The Lane back to the shore.
From here it was just a case of retracing our outward route.
A big zoom picked up one of the container ships Heysham bound from Ireland. Just ahead of it are the ruins of Piel Castle on Piel Island near Barrow.
And finally....back to the start.....and to get some Fish & Chips on the way home!!
Next Walk: 23rd March 2011 - NW Lancashire - Tewitfield Waterfalls from Borwick
Last Walk: 21st March 2011 - NW Lancashire - A Luneside walk
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