This area is new to us so we decide to explore. The CL has a well-stocked information hut, including details of various walks in the area. One with the potential to suit Lyn and Dexter’s needs starts at Tetney Lock, is circular and has options to be either five or seven miles.
We park opposite the picturesque Coastguard Cottages and follow the canal path to the tidal barrier.
Here by a wartime lookout bunker we turn left and follow the bank for a mile and a half. As we walk we see the oil terminal to our left and the pipeline that runs from the tanker moored at sea. In the distance are Grimsby docks and there are large container ships moving out to sea. This is obviously an industrial shipping area, the likes of which we have not previously encountered on our travels.
The main points of interest are the two sand forts that span the estuary. Nearest to us is Haile Sand Fort and further out the larger Bull Sand Fort. These forts were built during World War I and had an anti-submarine steel mesh net stretched between them to guard the Humber. Bull Sand Fort had a garrison of 200 men. Also visible in the distance is the lighthouse at Spurn Head.
Lynnie spots an unusual bird, later we identify this as a Golden Plover. We comment on how interesting this part of the walk is. Then we reach the Humberston Fitties.
Our guide says this is a collection of quaint summer-houses built before the Second World War. To my untutored eyes it looks like a shantytown. We then enter a static caravan park. During our travels we have walked through a few of these, but they all pale into insignificance compared to this one. It is larger than the village we live in! We opt to find the quickest exit, not an easy task. Finally we find a way out.
We follow a footpath along the edge of the park golf course (definitely not one to re-visit) and then into open fields. Our guided walk next takes us to the sewage treatment works and then alongside the oil terminal. Clearly they feel short of attractions in Lincolnshire.
We go native and follow the footpath that leads across various crop fields. There is waist high wheat looking good, head height oil seed rape just turning and ankle high peas. Not of the frozen variety! We emerge at the back of the coastguard cottages, all with privy buildings still intact at the foot of the gardens.
It has been an interesting walk of six and a half miles, but interesting often for the wrong reasons. What further delights can be in store tomorrow? Time for a beer me thinks.
To view this 6.5 mile walk on OS Maps Click Here
To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 283 – Louth & Mablethorpe
6th June 2014
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2014)