Waiting for the train to Workington we read up about “Queer Cumbria” – a grassroots collective that organises creative workshops and community events to support LGBTQ+ individuals across Cumbria and the Lake District. Not quite sure what this is all about but I support the sentiment.

Wiggling our way through the streets of Workington we are forced to walk along a busy road over the river Derwent and past what I later discover is a disused iron foundry from the 18th century with an unusual chimney.

The path now runs through a patch of woodland – over to the left is the green metal railway bridge that took us into Workington this morning.

We have now almost finished circling Workington Docks – off to the left sits a massive pile of wooden poles on the other side of a fence. – I wonder where they will end up.

Up ahead are the first of a forest of wind turbines which seem to go on forever – the blades turn slowly and silently in the light breeze – well almost silently. I love and approve of them but if there was one close to home I think I would find the noise irritating. Fortunately more and more are being built out to sea.

The path winds back towards the sea……..

The wind turbines disappear and we follow the coast path alongside the railway line, through the town of Flimby, past the industrial estates of Fothergill and through the dunes outside Maryport. At one point we are helped along by a weathered wooden boardwalk, a welcome escape from the soft sand.

At the bottom of the lane leading up to our Airbnb a carved wooden owl stands sentinel.

Distance: 10 miles