2nd January 2012 - Walk No.631

Area:	NW Lancashire	Ascent:	220feet
Walk No:	631	Time:	2hours 10minutes
Date:	2nd January 2012	Parking:	The shore at Hest Bank.
Distance:	5.00miles	Weather:	Mainly fine with a little sun.

For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

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We have had a splendid Christmas and New Year. Both were spent with all the family around us and Edith has had no cooking to do at all. However the weather as been poor. After the snow, came what seemed like endless days of wet or wild weather neither of which now appeal to me. The festive season as also taken its toll, too much food, chocolates and an odd drink or two coupled with weeks of inactivity have led to the elasticated waistband on my trousers being stretched to the limit. It wasn't the best of mornings but I needed to do a little something and this walk meant only a 10 minute drive.

Route Map

We left the car on the beach at Hest Bank the start point of many Cross Bay walks, here looking back towards Morecambe.

Looking down the bay towards the Furness Peninsula. It isn't the brightest of mornings but hopefully it will stay fine.

It wasn't long however before we could see the showers over South Lakeland....

....but fortunately they are staying clear of us. Our route in the initial stages will follow the Lancashire Coastal Way along the shore towards Red Bank on the left.

Sunshine and showers over Furness.

With a rather stiff breeze moving the clouds and showers along the sky was continually changing.

Approaching Red Bank now and the LCW goes over the small rise. We however prefer the shoreside path.

A look back to Morecambe.

Making our way around Red Bank and Warton Crag comes into view.

It looks brighter looking back towards home.

We were soon round Red Bank at alongside the farm. The cafe didn't appear to be open.

Our route continues along shore passing this row of houses.

Eventually we reach Mill Lane with Wild Duck Hall ahead.

This is where we leave the shore to make our way up Mill Lane towards the A6 and the canal. The buildings on the left are a garden centre which also houses a cafe.