Day 33: Levens to Morcambe

I didn’t wake until 7 am, which means I had a good 11 hours sleep last night. That was great because I was absolutely wrecked yesterday. I think that’s what affected my mood, I was so physically tired. Anyway, it’s another day and another walk.

Fiona said that she’s been thinking about Angela a lot while she’s been in Priscilla and when she’s been cleaning, remembering how much Angela loved everything to be clean and tidy. She was also remembering Angela’s sense of humour and fun. We both got a bit emotional while we were talking about this but it’s good to talk. Angela would’ve been supportive of that.

Well guess what, I’m back on the busy road walking against a traffic again for a while. I never imagined there would be so many busy roads on my route, it’s a dangerous business. Another few miles along smaller roads felt like a bit of a rest as I followed the river around the top of the estuary. A short walk along the beach and marshland took me onto the wrong side of the river and I had to backtrack. Finally I met Fiona and Poppy for a cup of tea and several chocolate biscuits.

I walked around the estuary on the beach for a short while before I noticed that the tide was starting to come in pretty quickly so after a bit of a scramble I made it onto higher ground. The next stretch was walking on the cliffs around the bay which was a very welcome and pleasant surprise but also tricky on the footwork with sheer drops to my right hand side for most of the way.

It was only just after midday, but already the sun looked as though it was starting to set with a yellow orange hue across Morcambe Bay with Heysham power station being silhouetted against it.

A little Robin came right up to me while I was walking. It kept hoping and landing just a few steps in front of me. I stopped to take picture and let me put my hand out so that I could almost touch it. It was a beautiful experience and it just looked me right in the eyes and sat there allowing me to take its photo.

I keep looking in the distance, hoping at some point I’ll be able to see Blackpool tower but unfortunately not yet.

I chatted to Gill and Ian about my trek then had to press on for lunch in Priscilla. Fiona had prepared beans and sausages which were very tasty.

Just before I stopped for lunch I noticed that there had been a new donation and when I looked in detail that for a massive £5000 what an amazing boost to my energy especially after the day I had yesterday it really makes it feel worthwhile. Thank you to Victoria who very generously donated the amount which works out a pound for every mile 😊 so I will make sure that I smile every mile.

I asked a local lady, Kat, if she felt it was safe for me to cross the estuary on the footpath today or take the longer route round on the road. She said that the tide was strange today so she advised me to go on the road which I did.

The sound of military jets shattered the peace as they were doing low flying across Morcambe Bay.

The sun was starting to set across the bay and it looked absolutely beautiful across such a vast expanse of open water. The orange glow behind the horizon looks a little like a warm fire keeping you warm on a cold day.

After a phone call with Rhoda I promised not to go near dangerous paths and so I didn’t take this one, opting instead to take the cycle route.

I was listening to the radio when Die with a smile, by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga came on. The song makes me cry as the words are so poignant. I don’t think I’m lonely. I just think I’m sad so very sad.. I used to lie with Angela in bed and hold her hand, holding it all night so that she would know I was there.

Anyway I got distracted by this that when I next looked at the map I was off course!! No worries another path with a footbridge would get me back on the right path. Wrong!! This is what I found.

So I had to go back and keep going this time towards the canal. I was doing a real roundabout route. It was going dark again so I decided to run the last 3 miles!!

I got back to Fiona just in time to drive to our fabulous date with Sarah at the 3-1-5 club. She had organised for us to eat and use the facilities. What an amazing thing to do for us.

Sarah had us try out the hydro massage beds which were fabulous. Then we went in the hydro pool and the sauna, finishing with a cuppa before retiring to bed and admiring the beautiful bracelets Sarah had made for us. Mine is pink to match my hair and has an A and a T. Fiona’s has an F. So thoughtful.