Up the Slag Bank, Round the End

This morning I was overwhelmed by a sense that I wanted to be anywhere but in the house. So I went for a long walk. Although my steps didn't take me quite where I intended.

I was planning to walk up the mainland side of the Channel and see how far I could get, aiming to get up to Roanhead if I could. It looked a little murky when I set out, so I was surprised when I was climbing the first, landscaped, bit of the slag bank (remnant of the long-defunct iron and steel works) to see the Isle of Man appearing, clear as you like, above Walney. From the top I was even more surprised to see that, even though the nearby Lakeland fells were somewhat hazy, the mountains of North Wales could be seen distinctly. Seeing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is a rare sight indeed up here. With a bit of imagination one could also make out the Mull of Galloway beetween the IoM and St Bees Head.

I had a wander round the further slag bank - not landscaped and without much evidence that it was open to public access beyond the undoubted fact that there was nothing to stop anybody scrambling up and down the scree. It really is a weird place, one that is a local landmark seen froma distance, but which I had not hitherto visited and explored. YOu can pick up bits of native iron very easily.

From there I made my way up the path by the railway - again no obvious right of way but also no obvious attempt to prevent me - until it petered out and turned sharply to a dead end at the shore. The tide was right out, and I was feeling reckless, so I strode out across the mud and sands for the North End of Walney. I had to wade the last twenty metres - despite what some sceptics might say Walney is an island even at low tide! From there I walked round the dunes at teh North End and back down the beach to West Shore. I good opportunity on what was by now a splendid, warm and sunny day to call in on my friend Lilian for tea and a natter on the deck!