No, I’m not on my cycle today. Mike phoned late last night with a promise of good weather and a desire to walk somewhere fresh. So here we are on the promenade between Fleetwood and Cleveleys on a freezing but bright blue sunny morning.
I have covered this interesting stretch more than once, most fully describing the art installations last January on a similar day. https://bowlandclimber.com/2024/01/23/sea-swallows-and-shipwrecks/
Apart from dog walkers on the beach, it is quiet at Fleetwood. The Lakeland hills across the way are a little hazy, but Knott End and Morecambe power station seem within touching distance, especially with the zoom lens. There are reminders of rough sleeping in the shelters. We follow the fish whilst watching a ferry heading to Heysham with hundreds of wind turbines in the background. The wind farms have proliferated in this stretch of water.
The Coast Guard Lookout station is always worth a photo from both sides. But after that, with chatting, I don’t take many more.
Around the corner, heading south into the low sun, onto the renewed curving coastal defences is delightful promenading. There is barely a breeze, so we are cosy in our fleecy clothes, Mike more so with a heated gilet, one of his family’s Christmas presents.
More and more people are out from Cleveleys. Dogs and children on new bikes are everywhere. I pause to point out to Mike the ‘Shell’ half-submerged, the Ogre hidden in a groyne is completely submerged.
We planned to walk to Cleveleys and catch a bus back to Fleetwood. They say you can’t become lost walking the coast; just keep the water on one side. Somehow, we walk on towards Bispham, the busy main street of Cleveleys hidden from us on the lower prom. It takes some time to realise my mistake, and then we turn around to head north, to miss our bus stop again.. Only when we actually climb over to the road do we see our whereabouts, but luckily, there is a stop opposite the Vue cinema complex. We don’t have long to wait for the number 24 bus, which takes a convoluted route through bungalow suburbia to the ferry at Fleetwood, where the car was parked. The view across to the Lakes was much clearer, but my camera was stashed away by now.
I recommend a walk down the prom from Fleetwood on any decent day. Go as far as you like, and then bus back. Today the weather made our short walk memorable.
Back to earth—flooded roads defeated us on the lanes around Inskip. The NW region has been badly affected this week.
Looks like you had a lovely day for this one even if it was cold. I’ve not been up that way for several years, the shell looks interesting so I’d really like to see it. Maybe this summer…
Lots of interest in that section alone.
Looks bracing, but I love the coastguard building! Wonderful.
It was bracing and became very cold very soon as the sun went down
That,observation building is about 10 years old and hasn’t toppled over yet. I still haven’t been up it never seem to be there at the right time on the right day. Must try harder.
That coastguard lookout station, in the first photo, looks like an evil face 😂. I’ve always thought those heated gilets were a great idea! 😀
Yes, I hadn’t spotted that, similar to one of those video pacmen.
The gilet apparently performed well.
I remember seeing the seashell and the ogre on a walk, the tide wasn’t in then. Weirdly I don’t remember the coastguard lookout , it’s certainly looks like it might topple over. Great walk.
The book ‘The Sea Swallow’ by Gareth Thompson is worth getting if you can find a reasonably priced used copy. It tells the story of the legend of the Ogre and Mary’s shell and is beautifully illustrated.
A heated gilet, what luxury! This looks another great place to explore. I don’t tend to get beyond Knott End, so I shall add this to my list.
The heated gilet, battery operated, worked well apparently, without any shocks.
I just pulled on my old down jacket.
Familiar ground for both of us but always worth another visit. An easier use of public transport for you compared with your many ingenious uses elsewhere.
A regular bus service parallel to the prom if you can find the correct way off it.
Nice walk. I have never been to that area.
A regular winter walk for me, you have thee Cumbrian coastline.
You’ve made a good start, getting out this year. I’m still in hibernation mode. Haven’t been to Fleetwood and Cleveleys for donkeys years. Last time I think was a sail to the Isle of Man.
That stretch around Cleveleys is excellent since they finished the new sea defences and art installations.
Haven’t been to the Isle of Man for donkeys years.