Some days we head to the hills and others to the coast. 

Today the forecast was much better in the Silloth area north of Maryport so a gentle stroll

along the foreshore from the Lifeboat House to the old Cote light

and back for a cuppa in Mrs Wilson's, would suit the day very well.

Parking is plentiful in Silloth and the car park adjacent to the lifeboat house was our stopping place today.

The Silloth Lifeboat House operates from a newly built boathouse on the site of the original Victorian Lifeboat Station.

Inside is an Atlantic 85 Rib inflatable, one of the fastest boats in the RNLI Fleet.

We head out for our walk, first heading south, down the coast a short way, to see Silloth Docks entrance.

The narrow but deep entrance to Silloth Docks, built to accept large ships bringing in Canadian and other wheat for the biscuit factory at Carlisle.

As time went on Port Carlisle at the outer end of the old Carlisle canal / railway had become too small and silted to take bigger ships.

The Docks is still in use for importing grain but the rail link to Carlisle has gone, superceded by road transport.

The rail also was historically important as it brought Carlisle workers down to the coast for days out and holidays

at what would become the Silloth seaside resort.

One can't visit the docks themselves from here, so we turned and we retrace our steps to the lifeboat where we could appreciate the newer launch ramp.  

We stopped and chatted to two fishermen and asked them what they were likely to catch today . . . the answer was "a cold" due to the chilly breeze.

There's a fine promenade all the way up this part of the coast as far as Grune Point.

Behind it is the municipal gardens and grass area known as The Green, with a rich grass covering on what would have been sandunes behind the beach.

The summer amusements and the cafe here are closed during the winter.

Several large stands of Scots Pine are dotted along the seafront.

On top of an old sand dune and looking down on the others walking the promenade below.

Loes and Lill promenading further along the promenade.

The tide is fairly high today but has already turned and is on the way out, starting to expose the old groynes on the beach.

Big Fella . . . An artwork by the Durham artist Ray Lonsdale graces the seafront.

It depicts a man and his dog out for a walk, resting on the chair and beseeching us to "Look at that View".

I was looking at Dougal's tennis ball and realised the artist had also given his dog a ball to play with, it's down by his feet.

Cote Lighthouse, a large beacon and landmark for sailors approaching Silloth via the narrow channel from the open sea.

[ Our walk referenced at the base of the page more or less starts here and continues on to Grune Point.]

We turn and head back into town, walking the pavement closer to the houses and bungalows.

One area of The Green has been set aside as a dedicated BMX track.

Opposite the Royal Air Force Association Club there's a plaque recalling the part the town played in the wartime protection of Britain.

For the 100th anniversary of the RAF, the apprentices at Gen2 in Workington built a replica Hudson Bomber

to commemorate the reconnaissance aircraft which used to fly from the Silloth during the wartime.

Conveniently situated at this end of town and suitably close to lunchtime was Mrs Wilson's Coffee House and Eaterie.

What started out as a coffee stop ended us as a delightful all day breakfast . . . won't need to cook a big tea tonight !

Mrs Wilson was the married name of Kathleen Ferrier, the internationally famous contralto singer.

Lunch over, it was just a short walk back to the car at the lifeboat house.

We dropped Lill back home in Cockermouth and still had time to do a little light gardening before the evening light began to fade.