Gretna seemed quite touristy with a big shopping outlet complex, probably piggy backing onto nearby popular Gretna Green. This with it’s famous Blacksmith shop was linked to weddings due to the fairly liberal marriage laws in Scotland. Being near the border it enabled couples to elope to Scotland to get married.
I leave Gretna, taking the road out westwards. I call back later to see the Blacksmith shop.
This is another day I have been looking forward to, crossing the border into Scotland. The downside was that I could see that there would be quite a bit of road walking near busy roads and motorway.
I have been staying at a Bunkhouse at Boustead Hill called Hillside Farm run by a lovely lady called Sandra Judd. I enjoyed my stay there for several nights and Sandra has very helpful.
Today I start by the Greyhound Inn where I have had a couple of meals and a pint in the evenings. I enjoyed the food and beer which is very good.
Just next to the pub is a statue of Edward I who died here on his way up for another tussle with the Scots.
Today I meet up with Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth with views across the border into Scotland.
First of all I had to catch the bus to Glasson and walk a couple of miles to Angerton to start todays walk, as there was no buses directly to Angerton.
From the delights of Silloth to the edge of the salt marshes at Angerton.
I loved the pretty seaside town of Silloth with its wide cobbled streets, green promenade, old style park with paddling pool. Silloth also has a toy soldier museum based on a private collection and is run by volunteers.
There is a steady stream of walkers and cyclists leaving St. Bees, making there way to the beach where there is a plaque denoting the start of the Coast to Coast walk.
This is a 192 mile walk mapped out by Alfred Wainwright, the famous Lancastrian hill walker.
I make a good start to the day with a bacon butty and coffee at the café of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Station.
I cross the Esk Estuary on a walkway that has been built alongside railway bridge. At low tide you can see a track that crosses the estuary but I stayed on the walkway. Continue reading
Today, I try something different, I ditch the rucksack, on with the trainers instead of boots and see if I can run a marathon distance.
Counting sheep, counting steps, I cover the distance, running on cycleways and along roads, but not without a few stops. Unfortunately, I chose a hot day to do it, I could have done with a bit of a breeze.
A day with sea, sand and marshes
Ulverston has a famous son, Stan Laurel, one half of the famous comic double act, Laurel & Hardy. They teamed up in the late 1920’s and made many films and shows together. The town hosts a museum as a lasting legacy of their time together.
From Station to Station today as I use the train to get to my start point today. This is very convenient as I’m still staying at the Youth Hostel in Arnside.
Besides the railway station, Cark in Cartmel is a pretty village with a couple of pubs and a shop. Nearby, during the war there was an RAF airfield at Flookburgh.
Today is market day in Milnthorpe where I start today’s walk. I take a walk around the stalls and say a cheery good morning to a few people.
In the square I meet Sue who runs a butty van which is very popular. Sue started her business up 25 years ago under the Prince of Wales scheme. She was one of the first recipients of a grant from the Prince of Wales Trust. I can highly recommend her bacon baps.
Breaking free and paving my own way.
Mad dogs and Englishmen decide to walk the coast of Britain! I don't think I'm a mad dog but many think I'm a mad Englishman!
1 Year - 5000 miles
My challenge to change my life this year...
Coastalwalker.co.uk - walking around the British coastline, very SLOWLY.
Tony's walk around the Coast of Britain 