Drumbrugh in north Cumbria was where we headed for our walk a few days ago and we were not disappointed.
What started off as a quick hour in the big world but it soon turned out to be almost a whole day as we followed our sniffers on a big circular route.
Positioned on the edge of the Solway Firth, right opposite Dumfries across the bay, Drumburgh is on the Hadrians Wall path. This meant our walk should be well sign posted and fairly easy to follow.
Our starting point was just outside the village, on a small piece of grass overlooking the bay. We have previously visited the area way back in 2010, so were keen to explore further.
Old railway
Our walk started off on familiar territory as we entered the village and turned left down the hill onto the old railway bed.
The wide gravel path is well drained however does offer the occasional puddle to ensure our walk starts off with a bit of splodging. Mum not amused.
At then end of the mile long, almost straight path, we avoid the nature reserve by turning right and along a farm like track.
One advantage of having hedges on both sides was that we were protected from the quite strong winds that were coming off the sea and so we stayed quite a bit warmer.
Our walk took us along some quite wide paths, with the occasional walker for company. For some reason they all seemed to be coming towards us and were eager to carry on. Maybe this was their first day on the Hadrians wall path and full of enthusiasm and energy.
Hedge laying
We wondered how they may feel in 4 or five days time when they get to the other end and Newcastle.
Scampering through large fields and through gates we stayed on our leads to avoid scaring any young lambs or wildlife.
We eventually stopped for a few minutes when we arrived in Glasson and spoke to a landowner who was installing and painting a fence.
Mum started the conversation with him by commenting on the smell of Creosote filling the air and that it took her back to childhood.
And that was it… the good old days…. Charlie and I just found some grass to chew and a cool place to take a rest. We may be here some time we thought.
Hens, cats, fences, pensions and the weather all discussed before we moved on, eventually.
Nearby a farmer had been busy relaying about half a mile of natural hedge.
All the old twigs and hedge detritus had been cleared and the strong trunks split and placed horizontal to form the base of a new hedge.
To the beach
The path brought us out near the entrance to Cottage and Glendale holiday Park and so close to the sea we could smell it.
Leads tight and sniffers in the air we followed our noses past the coconut smelling gorse in full flower and onto the beach.
Mum did not even have time to take my coat off before we were up to our tummies in the cool water.
War and industrial past
Arriving on the beach was a great relief as it was easier to walk on than the hard gravel paths. It was also cooler on our paws making the return journey back towards our starting point ideal.
A former wartime quadrant tower still remains perched high on the beach between Glasson and Drumbrugh.
It appears that this structure ties in with one further down the coast near to the Edward I Memorial.
The arched brick and concrete structure has been a little harder to find out about. Could it have been a drainage point for nearby fields? How old is it and is it connected to the lookout tower?
If you can help then let us know via the comments area below.
Almost back to the start
Walk almost complete we just had time to take a close look at a large tree stump resting just above the high tide mark.
The bark had turned silver and was covered with great fissures and lines casting shadows in the late afternoon sunshine.
Dad took quite a while photographing it and trying to get a fantastic image with his small camera.
Almost done, we finished off our fresh water bottle and headed back towards the car and the compulsory bath before resting and contemplating our day out.
Until next time
Buster and Charlie.