Monday, 20 February 2006

Coastwalk

Sellafield → Ravenglass

[The Sellafield nuclear site towering over the village of Seascale]

Distance: 8.26 miles
Ascent: 139 metres
Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes

Anticlockwise is best
« St Bees | Silecroft »

Modern mythology paints the Sellafield Nuclear Site as a huge eyesore that spoils the Lake District National Park. My first glimpse of the works came as I descended St Bees Head last year but it didn't seem as incongruous as the steelworks of Workington or other industrial sites. Even as I came near the plant was hidden behind the dunes, refusing to spoil a good walk by the sea.

What I learned today is that this is just an illusion. Looking back over my shoulder at regular intervals the site loomed large and threatening over the village of Seascale. Further on at Drigg the low-level waste storage site is another huge reminder of the nuclear industry's impact on the area.

[Sunset over a boat on the River Esk near Ravenglass]

That's not to say this hasn't been a beautiful walk. All day I've had a clear view of a snow-topped Scafell, and as I reached the end of the walk the sun was setting over the receding tide.

The real lesson is that if you want to walk this stretch of coast, make sure you do it anticlockwise. The view is much better that way.

Posted by pab at 19:59 | Comments will be back one day. Please email me instead!