Day 220: Mablethorpe to Cleethorpes

Best bits: new shoes, beach walking 

Worst bits: saying goodbye to Jo, Paul and Mum, Cramp in my legs

Distance: 23.7 miles 

This morning over breakfast we listened back to my interview on radio5 live that aired at 3:05 am this morning! Listen here at 2:05 minutes

Today was a shoe change over day. It was time for the speed goats that I have been wearing for a while now to take their place in the recycling. They were replaced by these beauties. Just look at the tread on these!

Paul and Casper joined me on the walk this morning. Casper was so excited when we got to the beach that his jacket came off and blew away. Paul had to go and retrieve it and then jogged back to me. 

This ‘Time and Tide Bell’ is an art installation on the Mablethorpe Beach. It rings using the power of the sea and indicates the change of the tide. It symbolises the rapid change in the coastline.

It was very windy and of course typically we were walking into the headwind. The gusts whipped up the top layer of sand on the beach creating cloud like effects.

After awhile, we could see what we thought was a huge area of water in front of us. It turned out that it was a mirage. Fortunately, however, we decided to divert from the beach to a path that ran alongside it in the sand dunes. It wasn’t long before we were crossing the marsh land, picking our footsteps carefully to avoid getting wet. The width of the marshland increased dramatically and very soon we were unable to see the sea.

Later we came across old anti tank defences and pill boxes. This was on yet another MOD firing range.

After a technical cartography hitch, we finally met up with Jo and Mum for a quick cuppa and a scone. 

Jo, Mum and Paul went back to move Priscilla while I carried on. Once again, the path went alongside sewage works before it headed down towards the shore. It was a long walk to the Next rendezvous point, including another MOD range, Donna Nook Air Weapons Range. This time I was able to see the targets on the beach. Apparently there is also a grey seal colony here although how they managed to survive on a firing range I do not know.

I met up with Jo, Paul, and Mum for lunch in the car park here. I had been waiting for quite a while before they arrived. This was the final time I would see them this weekend and so I did my debrief with them before we said our goodbyes.

I thought that I had finished walking along the seawall, but it was not to be. I was walking along one again all afternoon.

It had been threatening rain for a few hours and was quite cool which made walking quite tricky at times on the exposed wall. The sound of gunfire filled the air, it was coming from a nearby farm and I presumed it was some sort of shotgun fire.

As I got my first proper view of the Humber estuary there were many ships out to sea obviously waiting for the tide to turn.

I was feeling very exhausted and for the first time developed cramp in my hamstrings and calves. I dragged my weary legs for the last few miles before meeting up with Lynn and Harb who were waiting with a cup of tea and home-made Malteser cake and a packet of mini cheddars for my cramp. I think I would’ve been crawling on my hands and knees if they hadn’t been there.

Then it was the final 3 miles into Cleethorpes. I limped the 1st mile until my legs got going again. It was mainly road walking but I did walk past the boating lake.

Once again, the skies were very dramatic. This particular formation fascinated me. It looks like a giant Polo mint. 

Lynn walked up the seafront in Cleethorpes to meet me and she had been talking to Vicky and Kevin who were celebrating their ruby wedding today. Vicky chose a red heart to signify Ruby. They applauded me to my finish line for today. 

I was glad to jump in the van for the short trip to Asda where we spent the night. Not before Lynn fed us with a wonderful curry and gave my foot a good manipulation.

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