Hi All, Welcome back to Loweswatercam after what seems an extended period of time.  I went away on holiday for a couple of weeks only to return and find my computer resolutely refusing to re-start.  A faulty graphics card was diagnosed and now we're back up and running, albeit a bit slower than before. It will in due course, drive me to migrate the site onto my new PC, which will mean a change to the dreamweaver system and no doubt a few headaches and heartaches for me along the way.  Hopefully the change when it comes, will be seamless. In the mean time I continue on with two walks from August, then it is back to normal, adding new walks and activities I've done in recent days, all as soon as practicable.  Thanks for your patience and thank you to the guys at Keswick Computers. It's been a slightly bumpy ride . . . which makes the first photo all the more relevant !

The weather in the fells on this day was less than perfect,  so Loes and I decided to head the other way . . . to the coast.

In the days of good rail and poor road transport, the town of Silloth on the coast north of Workington became popular as a seaside resort

for the working population of Carlisle (and others) to enjoy.  The town expanded, streets were laid with cobbles, hotels and tea rooms abounded.

Today it has lost it's reputation as a prime seaside resort, but still remains a nice place to visit.

The rains that dogged the high fells seem to be following us as we reached Silloth.

Being lunchtime we called in a one of the popular fish and Chip shops, intent on eating their produce somewhere with a nice view across the Solway.

[ The salmon pink building opposite is Mrs Simpson's Tearooms . . . but more of that later.]

Just north of town is the village of Skinburness, with a wide open view across the coastal estuary to Scotland.

We parked the car on the front so we could enjoy views of Criffel mountain on the other side . . . that was the plan.

In reality my steaming hot lunch misted up the screen and our view of the hill was somewhat thwarted.

Soon it was time for a walk and to enjoy the view without the hindrance of the condensation.

That's better . . .

The weather has cleared though it was still breezy, but we were happy to be outside (what no more chips to finish?)

The walk today was one that Loes knew well, but one that I had never done.

It started at the village and headed up the coast on the low coastal spit heading north, alongside the upper reaches of the Solway.

We took the path to the left and would return later via the road through the village to the sign on the right.

A coastal house for sale . . . extensive sea views and a bonus front lawn, sand and pebble beach available close by.

The England Coast Path heads up between the land and the sea.

At the top end of the village the houses appear to be a lot older . . .

. . . but a new development brings everything up to the present, sunflowers included.

Beyond the last house we return to the wild coast path

with large expanses of sand and shingle on show as a result of the falling tide.

A heavy rain shower blows across from the North West . . . I hope it's not heading our way.

The coastal margins grow wild flowers, rose hips and lichen. The yellow flower is most likely a Field Sowthistle.	Close by some dog roses. Could be Sweet Briar or French Rose varieties.

When the concrete sea defenses end, the scenery becomes more natural.

The sea currents and waves have created an extensive bank of pebbles which made walking more difficult.

Not surprisingly the path deviated slightly inshore to take advantage of the softer grass at the back of the beach.

The development of the English Coast Path system has involved an investment in some new gates and fences.

This modern kissing gate is large enough to get through even if you were wearing a large long distance rucksack.

At the top end of the sea spit we have a extensive view of the sea, which I have tried to capture here for your enjoyment and understanding.

Sometimes however, as on this occasion, the two dimensional representation distorts the picture slightly.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama

The radio masts on the adjacent side of the River Wampool / River Weaver inlet.

For many years this was the site that used to transmit the radio time signal that co-ordinated automatic electronic clocks and watches.

Round the corner . . . Loes in an artistic pose as I had specifically called her back to be in the photo !

We had seen this odd structure in the trees as we rounded the top of the spit.

It would appear to be a channel marker of some sort, but was of an over-heavy concrete design.

It turned out to be a wartime "pill box" or gun emplacement, built to protect the coast from sea bourne attack.

The triangular top was strange, maybe it was a navigation marker as well.

Into the suburbia of the more modern part of Skinburness.

It is also a commuter village for Carlisle and boast a single daily bus service, early mornings to the big city and returning at the end of the day.

I promised we would return to the village signboard at the end of the walk.

Now to head back a short distance along the promenade to the car.

It probably will retain the smell of those nice fish and chips we enjoyed earlier.

We decided to indulge ourselves once again at the end of the walk, not French Fries this time but something more suited to the time of day.

- - - o o o - - -

At the start of the drive back we passed this unusual lighthouse. When taking the photo I realised that it stood as a channel marker

for boats searching for the inside channel into Silloth Harbour a short way down the coast.

We parked in town  close to this old classic . . . a Morris Minor Police Panda car.

- - - o o o - - -   We headed for Mrs Simpson's Cafe next to the Church in the first photo of this set.   Mrs Simpson of Silloth was better known in the musical world as Kathleen Ferrier CBE an award winning English contralto singer.   She enjoyed an international reputation as a singer of folk songs and classic works by Bach to Benjamin Britten. Sadly she died young of breast cancer in 1953.   - - - o o o - - -

The tearooms are a testament to her professional life.

Their tea and scones were excellent too . . . time to be heading home . . . soon!