December 2nd Moderate

Sunday, 2nd December 2012

Walk:	Ash Meadow, Blackstone Point, Arnside Point, Park Point, Far Arnside, Middlebarrow Plain, Arnside Tower, Arnside Knott, Black Dyke and Arnside Moss
Start Point:	Arnside Pier	Grid Reference:	SD 456 788
Distance:	8.25 miles	Ascent:	706 feet
Time:	5.25 hours
Weather:	Sunny most of the day with temperatures below freezing. Icy patches on many roads and tracks.
Comments:	'Slip Sliding Away' would have been the appropriate song for the day as many walking surfaces were coated with ice for most of the day. However, this didn't prevent twenty hardy Fylde Ramblers from enjoying a very pleasant day in the vicinity of Arnside. The walk started by using the frozen beach along the River Kent, (known for its tidal bore), to then follow a land based path from Blackstone Point. Many pleasant views of the coast line could be seen on the walk from Arnside to Middlebarrow Plain. Turning inland at Holgate's Caravan site the group, after stopping for lunch in the grounds of the caravan site, went on to explore Arnside Knott and to climb to five hundred feet above sea level. At this elevation fine views of the Lake District, Morecambe Bay and parts of North Lancashire were appreciated. Descending from Arnside Knott the esteemed leader took the group down to Arnside Moss, gaining a stray dog on the way, before returning to Arnside via an old rail track on the coast. An enjoyable day and in good company. Thank you leader.