Lancaster to Morecambe

Living here in Derby, we are so far from the sea that it can be a major operation to experience a sea breeze, but the shortest distance may not be the quickest.
Morecambe is but a few miles from Lancaster and you can get to Lancaster in less than two and a half hours by train. Add another twenty minutes to cycle from there to Morecambe and you can be looking at views of the Lake District across Morecambe Bay in less than 3 hours.

 From Lancaster Railway Station we go downhill to the River Lune, crossing on the Millenium Bridge.

 View from the bridge looking downstream.

 The route signing is excellent.

 And the path is tarmac all the way. In the background, the West Coast Main Line crosses the River Lune on Carlisle Bridge.

 Passing through nice woodlands.

And is much used by both local cyclists and visitors.

 Just the one crossing of the rail link between Lancaster and Morecambe.

 And soon we are in Morecambe.

At Morrisons Supermarket with Aldi alongside.

 Now on the Promenade which stretches in both directions for several miles. Good signing by Sustrans, this being the starting point (or end, depending on which way you are travelling) for the Way of the Roses, a distance of 170 miles to Bridlington.

Stretching out into Morecambe Bay is the Stone Jetty, once a boarding point for ferries to Ireland, but supplanted by deeper waters at Heysham a few miles to the South.

 Looking back from the jetty we see the panorama of the seafront.

A short railway line once ran along the jetty towards the small lighthouse which is adjacent to the restored station building, now a very nice cafe.

 The area is excellent for bird watching and there are images of them everywhere. These gannets are on the rocks alongside the jetty.

 On fencing.

The building ahead is the Race HQ of the Morecambe Bay Sailing Club.  A shed on stilts in fact.

 This shows the hills of the Lake District which you can see across Morecambe Bay on a clear day. Sadly this wasn't such a day.

As the tide goes out we see the arc of the bay and the rock sea defences which guard sea front along it's length.

Soon we come to the statue of much loved local comedian Eric Morecambe.

Eric was a keen ornithologist, evidenced by his binoculars, and he is obviously listening out for birdsong. He is also remembered by a local wildlife pond and hide.
The statue was unveiled by the Queen in 1999.

Further along the path we come to this striking piece of artwork entitled Venus and Cupid.


 But for now ..........................

                                              Play the music ...............