I didn’t have time to cross from Fleetwood on the ferry to Knott End last week, so today I’m cycling there from Garstang on hopefully quiet lanes. I was last at Knott End in March 2019 when I walked along the shore to Pilling, that was just before lockdown, and as I remarked in the comments “I didn’t hug anybody”. There has been a lot of water under the bridges since then, but Covid still worries me with our high infectivity rates and deaths.
The lanes I choose were indeed very quiet, with only the occasional agricultural vehicle. I was supposed to be on a National Cycle route 5 or 7, but there was never a sign. Pedalling along in my own world until I reached Pilling, a spaced out village with no discernable centre. I pondered at the naming of the Elletson Arms and Smokehouse. I wasn’t sure if it was still trading, the Golden Ball around the corner certainly wasn’t.
I took the lane past Fluke Hall onto the sea wall, where I hoped to be able to continue to Knott End. A wide coastal vista opened up with views across the bay to Black Coombe and the inevitable Morecambe Power Stations. Somewhere in the sands, the Lune empties into the bay. I could see figures out there, and then I focused on quad bikes coming ashore. They were cocklers, intrepid scavengers of the bay. Some arrived looking muddy and weathered, they weren’t the friendliest of people but explained how they rammed the sands and raked up the cockles. They had many kilograms of cockles to be cooked and exported through Europe.
I was able to cycle ‘illegally’ along the raised sea wall all the way into Knott End. Out there on the sands, as the tide came in, were hundreds of wading birds.
I couldn’t resist a drink in the café, which turned out to be a mini lunch, you get hungry cycling.
The ferry was running across to Fleetwood, but I kept to the tortuous lanes past Stalmine on this side. On my header photo the two lighthouses can be seen over there. I missed a junction near Out Rawcliffe and ended up at the Cartford Toll Bridge. I saved 20p by continuing on the north side of the Wyre. Eventually I came through Nateby back to my starting point by the Lancaster canal.
*****
I am intrigued by the origin of street/ road names……Up Bedlam , Lambs Roe Gardens…. but Dry Bread Lane takes the biscuit!!🤣
Ha Ha.
I know Up Bedlam road.
Your adventures by bike are an ongoing source of inspiration. When my little blue car is finally taxed off the road, I shall have to invest in a new push iron and see where it takes me. Always thought of Knott End as rather a bleak and little visited part of the county. I wonder how the cockle trade has been affected by B*&X*T.
Thanks, Michael.
You will notice I’m choosing fairly flat cycling terrain.
There was one group of Polish cocklers, the rest were locals. Rather them than me out on those treacherous sands.
That meal looks so inviting. I’ve often tried to poach eggs but with little success. I may have another go tomorrow lunchtime.
I only went in for a coffee but was soon tempted by the cooking smells.
You are definitely getting around on your bike. I would like to see the Lowery statue with dog at Knot End. Only been there once and that was when we had our previous Labrador Jake, and he fell into a drainage ditch! Luckily he was ok.
Knott End is worth a visit. Wonderful sea vistas from the ‘prom’, the ferry to Fleetwood and that café.
At least the Knott End Cafe was open for you, it was closed when I went there last summer. The mini breakfast looks good, I might be tempted to try it sometime if I go over on the ferry from Fleetwood but I wouldn’t go to Knott End specially as there’s s*d all there. I think your last photo was taken from the bridge on Nateby Crossing Lane near Bridge House Marina?
I thought that my photo of the Lowry figure would bring a comment from you!
The café is worth a visit and the ferry seems to run more reliably year round now.
Yes, you are correct about the canal picture.