The tides allow this to happen on
Saturday, 20th April 2013
leaving Arnside Pier at 1pm.
---oooOooo---
2013 is an especially memorable year for Cedric Robinson; it's his 50th year as the Queen's Guide to the Sands. It's also his 80th birthday year. Let's help him celebrate.
The walk involves crossing the River Kent, which is usually knee deep. The best way to dress for the occasion is to carry a small sack containing a change of clothing, and a towel, plus anything you might want to eat or drink en route.
Secondly, it's cold out in the Bay, all year, so you need something warm and waterproof on your top half. For your legs and feet, a pair of old tracksuit bottoms is fine, with a pair of old trainers on your feet. The sand across the Bay is ridged in many places, and this is very hard on your feet if you think you might walk barefoot. Cedric can do it, but lots of people suffer.
The D/T gradings reflect both the difficulties of walking for up to 9 miles, across sand, through mud and water, in potentially poor conditions, and the nature of the terrain, which on a good day isn't an issue, but at times can be daunting.
But don't let any of that put you off. It's a great experience, and if you've not done it before, then maybe you should try. Dogs and Muggle friends are welcome as long as they are all under proper control.
Finally, Cedric receives the princely sum of £15 a year from the Queen for fulfilling his duties, although this is a 'private' booking, and not part of his duties as guide. So Cedric will not be offended if anyone attending wants to make a donation, by giving it to him direct at the end of the walk. He'll be well pleased. However, there is no obligation to do this.
NOTE: The walk will be immediately preceded by a CITO event, for those that want to bag a souvenir, and clear some litter in the process (GC48CA1)
A note of caution
It is rare for Cedric to cancel a crossing. But heavy rain in the Lake District during the week before the crossing can affect the course of the River Kent, or, more to the point, create channels that are too deep to cross. Obviously, we won't know until a few days before, and, of course, there's nothing we can do about it. So, we advise anyone travelling a fair distance to have a Plan B.
Oh....and we can't do anything about the weather. Sorry!
---oo0oo---
LOGISTICS: GETTING THERE (AND BACK!)
Getting the transport logistics sorted out are crucial to an enjoyable day. In an ideal situation, two cars do the trick perfectly, leaving one with a full change of clothing at Kents Banks, and driving back to Arnside in time to start the walk, in the other. But not everyone can do that, unless you can link up with others doing the walk.
The next best way is to drive to Kents Bank (park considerately on the road down to the station), and then catch a train back to Arnside.
Anyone joining the CITO event (GC48CA1) immediately before the Bay Walk will need to catch a train from Kents Bank at 0954, which reaches Arnside at 1004.
Those not joining the CITO event, have two other trains to use: 1042 and 1241, reaching Arnside at 1052 and 1251 respectively. The walk starts at 1300 (approximately), so to catch the 1251 and be at the start on time, you'll need to march briskly from the station...but don't worry, if we've all gone, just continue along the sea front, and you'll soon catch us up.
This information is correct at March 2013, but please check for changes at www.thetrainline.com.
---oo0oo---