The planning of this walk was as arduous as the walk itself, the two challenges being the enormous expanse of Immingham and Grimsby Docks. Trying to keep as close to the coast as possible is problematic when both of these areas do not take kindly to unauthorised visitors on foot. We did our best…….

The plan is to take a bus from Grimsby to Immingham town and walk back to Cleethorpes. it’s not due for 20 minutes so we pass the time looking in shop windows – Damian slips off to visit a piece of public art raised in memory of fishermens’ lives lost at sea.

I stand and read the life story of ex fisherman Cyril Cole …………….here are some snippets.

And here comes the bus and I fumble around in my many pockets, only to discover that I’ve lost my bus pass – not a huge problem as the thirty minute ride to Immingham only costs £2.

We leave the bus in front of a pub called the County Hotel which is rather a grand name for such a nondescript pub in the middle of nowhere. It looks grand but I am later to discover how horrible it is inside.

We then head up the road in the direction of the A1173 but before this happens we need to find some provisions as there is nothing around here. Following directions we find a small shop but instead of retracing our footsteps I find a footpath which will save us walking on the main road for a while. The path runs through a patch of woodland and then across a very wet cornfield where we foolishly decide not to put on waterproofs and end up with sodden trousers and in Damian’s case feet.

The path is heading for a pumping station and far too soon we are on the road again, but fortunately not for long. Circling the docks we walk a mile down the A1173, turn off onto a minor road and then left down a path called Long Strip, following a signpost to the coast. Yippee!

I use the term “coast” loosely – this is in fact the left bank of the Humber Estuary in all its sombre splendour – Immingham Dock behind us, Grimsby Dock in front.

About a mile down the walkway stands a gate – some sort of flood defence I imagine. Someone has written Mouldy Hole on it which on this grey wet morning seems very apt.

Secure in the knowledge that we can walk another two or three miles into Grimsby on this path it comes as a bit of a disappointment to find our way barred by coastal defence works. This means we have to walk back to the next turn off left inland and back to a road.

And this what we do, trudging past such delights as Industrial estates and recycling centres through an area called Pyewipe – a particularly nasty name but very appropriate for what goes on here.

On the approach to the bridge taking us into the docks, by a fence to my left, I notice a tent and a pile of discarded white goods and furniture – on closer inspection I realise this is someone’s home. There is even a washing line…

Over the bridge we walk and are immediately faced with the problem of how to follow a road into the town, where there is only one pedestrian walkway and that is closed. Darting through traffic cones and barriers we explore the possibilities, and end up down a minor road in front of a battered statue of some dignitary who I’m sure would not be amused at his position in front of a decaying building underneath a flyover.

Following vague directions from a local we head down residential streets and eventually find what looks like a little used railway bridge down into an area called East Marsh.

We now need to head towards the river again on minor roads, through more streets of drab, tired houses, past New Cleethorpes Station to follow the railway line. At a place called Blundell Park another dodgy bridge takes us over the railway line and up a small embankment. At the top is the sea wall which I need a push from Damian to get me over and then we’re back next to the water!

A local dog walker later tells us that just down the river a brand new bridge has been built to replace the treacherous level crossing – Boris was the hero here….

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suggitt%27s_Lane_Bridge

It is a fine looking bridge and provides uninterrupted access to Cleethorpes beach – not my photo, I am too tired and hungry to stop for anymore photos.

And soon we are in Cleethorpes, approaching the pier and the railway station.

The seafront is adorned with various pieces of public art including this one which is intended to help clean up Cleethorpes beach. The sculpture functions as a recycling bin for plastic bottles but sadly a lot of other rubbish has been thrown into it despite the fact that there are lots of rubbish bins along the promenade. Some people……

We don’t have to wait long for the train and get back just in time for the Euros final between Spain and England….and the rest is history.

Distance: 12 miles