Walk 15. Minster to Warden

So, as I mentioned last time, today’s walk is mostly beach. I’ve checked the tide times and I’m starting just over an hour before low tide. 

The start point is The White House restaurant on Minster sea front and the first mile or so is along a very pleasant promenade backed by a grassy bank.

Along the way are plenty of benches and some new-looking exercise machines…

Further on is a row of beach huts. I’m not one hundred percent certain, but I think these are the first actual beach huts that I’ve encountered so far on my coastal walk. A sign that I’ve finally left the estuaries and am at the seaside!

The prom comes to an end and it’s onto the beach. It’s mostly pebbles with some sandy bits to begin with, so fairly easy going…

After about ten minutes I come across yet more decaying boats…

For the rest of the way the beach is backed by low earthen cliffs. There has been very little rain recently and they are dry and reasonably solid-looking. I try climbing a couple of feet up and it’s pretty simple even though the surface looks like it could crumble at any minute. In an emergency you might be able to climb them, but I wouldn’t fancy doing it, and if its been raining I reckon you can forget it!

As I go on the beach gets muddier where there have been cliff falls and the mud has spread over the surface. It’s not as bad as I was expecting though. The surface is mostly firm and there are only a few patches where I feel my feet start to sink! The solution is to step on the rocks and pebbles as they help to spread your weight.

There is plenty of debris that has come down from the top…

Some of it more unusual than the rest…

Nearly an hour in to the beach section of the walk is evidence of how serious this erosion can be. The remains of someone’s house are scattered along the base of the cliff and it looks like some more buildings are soon to join it!

Shortly after this I wasn’t looking where I was going and stepped on a rusty bit of metal that was poking out of the rocks and pebbles. It went straight through my boot and into my foot! After a bit of swearing I hobbled off to complete the last couple of miles. Luckily the pain eased after about ten minutes and I was able to walk normally(ish) again! So kids, if you’re coming this way watch your step!

This stretch of coast is apparently popular with fossil hunters. I didn’t find any fossils but there were some interestingly patterned rocks…

Finally I came to Warden Point where, after being absent for a few walks, we have the return of the pillbox! About four of them…

While on the subject of old military defences, there is quite a good view from here of the Red Sands fort. This is a World War 2 Maunsell Fort, named after the designer, several of which were built around Britain’s coast. They were designed as anti-aircraft installations but several found fame as the location of pirate radio stations in the 1960s. One of them is also the location of the Principality Of Sealand, which is worth looking up if you want to learn how to set up your own country!

So, back to civilisation and the end of today’s walk…

Right. I’m off to A&E to get a tetanus jab…!