Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Saturday 13th August 2016

Morecambe Bay Crossing

Report by Peter Flynn

Photos by Peter Flynn, Ann Kin-Cleaves

Ian Rowley & John McKay

You can picture the scene.  Our group of 27,  one small group of the 400 or so walkers.  We were wading through water that was up to our knees.  The shore was about a mile and a half away to the south and a couple of miles to the north.  Then one of the wags remarked in a loud voice “if they had a few stiles in the middle here,  it could be a classic Graham Bell walk.”  Don’t worry Graham.  We are all looking forward to the day when you receive an MBE for “services to walkers in muddy conditions”.   The day started in total chaos.  We all met initially and signed on at the “join the long queue and have your 20p ready in case the last person does not hold the door open for you toilets” and stood around waiting for something to happen.  Then there seemed to be a gradual movement along the shore in a south westerly direction and eventually the whole group went.  We were told to look out for a blue tractor with Cedric driving.  This was Cedric Robinson,  the famous Queen’s guide to Morecambe Bay.  I had a brief chat with him before we set off and asked how many of these walks he had done.  He said he had been doing it for over 50 years,  with perhaps 20 or so walks each summer,  so the maths is not too difficult.  We were still mystified as to how he spotted the firm as opposed to the shifting,  softer sand each day.  The route was marked with tree branches;  he didn’t lead it,  but guided us from his tractor,  and the actual walk was led by a very efficient looking gentleman who gave clear instructions for no one to under peril of unnamed threats to pass him.  No danger.  He set off at a good pace.  After a mile and a half,  the group was about half a mile long,  so Cedric rumbled up in his tractor and blocked us from moving till all the stragglers caught up.  Like that all the time.  Brilliant day,  slightly chaotic,  but the lead walker – including all our group – were across in 2 ½ hours.  A wonderful experience,  lovely weather and one to live in the memory.  

Peter