A sold out event, of 100 tickets only, saw a group of walkers collect at Sandgate Shore in light but threatening rain. As we gathered, it was heartening to see a good number of wading birds out on the marsh and flying across the sands.

As champions of the Bay’s nature & wildlife, we asked walkers to attend without their dogs and we are so grateful to everyone for understanding, respecting and sharing our aims. We are dog lovers but birds are threatened by dogs so our aim to give the Bay's wildlife the peace and space it needs was upheld.

After what turned out to be a short shower, we set off under the expert guidance of Raymond Porter and his marshals.

Crossing two channels of knee-deep water and soft mud, intrepid walkers pressed on towards Chapel Island with the light and reflections constantly changing over the Bay. In years past, walkers have crossed onto the island itself but a main river channel has changed course running infront of the island and far too deep, wide and hazardous to cross by foot. For now therefore, Chapel Island is inaccessible to walkers so we viewed it respectfully across a body of impressive flowing water, reminded that Morecambe Bay is wild, natural and dynamic.

Pressing on, we visited Collins Weir and this was a highlight for many. It is astonishing that this evidence of industry from the 1840s was constructed at all, in the Bay, and has remained hidden under the sands for decades. It's reappearance is very recent (May 2024) and has revealed the construction is in remarkably sound condition with corroded cart lines still in place and clearly visible.

We pressed on across an empty Bay, and in mild and settled conditions. A little rain at the beginning of the walk and a deluge at the end: all things considered, we were fortunate. A walk into the Bay is an adventure of unpredictability, and weather may not have been so kind to walkers in previous seasons & centuries battling through rain, mist, or hail loaded up with goods, animals and children. To walk in the footsteps of those who had precious few options for travelling around the Bay was food for thought. The connection with nature and the most basic form of human travel was reinforced further by going barefoot - often the best option for cross bay walks. Shoes and socks were removed connecting scores of feet with the Bay's very essence - mud, sand and water.

We crossed the last section of the walk - an empty lunar-like landscape - and ended back at Sandgate with everyone safely returned to the shore by our guide and marshals. Thank you Ray for gently and safely guiding us into the sands and back.

And we are so grateful to everyone who joined the walk, making the day so special and memorable. Every participant helped to raise just over £1,300 - an amount that will contribute to supporting the nature, culture and heritage of our precious Morecambe Bay.