It was not the most promising of days – a small group of walkers for the MCS joined over 500 walkers for Galloway’s Society for the Blind in heavy rain at Arnside on Saturday morning (15th August 2009). The forecast was for brighter weather later – so we hoped that would be the worst of it, and looked forward to arriving at a sunny at Kents Bank!

The great column of walkers set off on time, but soon snaked out over a mile. We gathered for a sandwich, and to let everyone catch up, just before walking out onto the sands proper at Far Arnside. Everyone had just about dried out from the earlier rain when we arrived at the Kent’s channel. Due to the numbers we crossed the channel in two waves – this prevents people following too closely after each other, which can result in the sand liquefying under the last people to cross. Those of us in the second wave watched with some trepidation as the waves broke over the waists of some of those crossing. Just as the second wave started to cross, the rain came down again, so we were soaked from the top and the bottom simultaneously! The water lever was deeper than anyone we spoke to could remember on a walk before, and rumour was that there had been some debate between the guides about turning back. In the event we all made it across safely – though soggily!

Finally, the better weather that had been promised arrived, and we were only a little damp by the time we reached Kents Bank, and finished drying in the sun in the Albion’s beer garden on our return to Arnside.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this years Cross Bay walk, all proceeds go to MCS’ Seas Fit For Life campaigns. Thanks also to Cedric Robinson, the Queen’s Guide, and to his very helpful team of assistants on the sand.