Out of the station at Askam we walk through the dull streets of the village to a path leading out to the coast – there’s been a lot of rain recently so a small deviation is necessary.

From here the path winds upwards to a view over the Duddon Estuary, where an old beached tugboat sits on the marshy sands. Owned by a local man, there are tales of him living on the boat – and of its role in D-Day operations.

In the distance is Askam Pier, an ugly industrial structure built from iron-smelting slag in the late 19th century. It originally served the Askam Ironworks, extending into the Duddon Estuary to dispose of waste. Access to the beach is under the short bridge.

Leaving Askam behind we walk along the almost deserted beach for about a mile, heading for a wide expanse of sand dunes marked as Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve.

The first people we meet are a group of children high up on one of the largest dunes, having great fun rolling down to the beach. I can’t say I’m not tempted……….

Navigating the dunes is a challenge, I try in vain to match up my chosen footpath, marked on the map, (one of many), but we end up walking in circles, and it’s hard going in the soft sand.

Finally I spot a couple of local walkers approaching who advise us to forget the dunes and instead walk around them. This we do, on a glorious sandy beach in the sunshine – all good.

Although I’d like to know what this is…………….AI tells me it’s natural sea foam – I’m not convinced.

And this….? Fly tipping on a whole new level or a Turner Prize nomination?

Eventually we reach Lowsy Point with its shanty town, known locally as the Black Huts. Originally used by fishermen the huts are now used as weekend retreats by those who relish an off grid existence from time to time. Calor gas cannisters, windmills and rain barrels abound, and there is a fair selection of derelict cars and boats. We stop to chat to a lady gardening outside her brightly coloured hut (most of the huts are not black) who tells us that when someone dies in the community the person’s hut is dismantled and no-one ia allowed to inherit or buy the plot. I can’t be sure but the story doesn’t ring true somehow, although she does follow up by saying the National Trust can’t wait to get their hands on the land to extend the nature reserve.

Winding our way though the huts we join a public right of way over the railway line and on to the A590 for a gruelling three mile walk through some of the meanest streets in Barrow – Union Jacks everywhere, always makes me feel uneasy. I had otherwise hoped to keep to the coast or find a path close to the railway line, but we started late this morning so we opt for as the crow flies, right down to Holker Street Stadium where I finished last time.

Distance: 10 miles

To email subscribers I’m having trouble getting the map to show up on an email – in conversation with the “happiness engineers” …………..