We will assemble on or near the pier in Arnside (Event Co-ordinates) from 1.30pm, ready to depart on the bay walk promptly at 2pm. These 30 minutes constitute the actual 'event', after which we go for a walk.
Cedric will appear, blow his whistle, and set off without waiting for anyone. Timing is critical on this day. So, don't be late; we will leave very promptly, and scuttle along fairly briskly for the first half hour.
If anyone wants to make a head start, you'll find that Cedric always pauses at White Creek before actually setting foot on the sands (Co-ords: N54° 11.371, W002° 51.746). If you want to wait for us there, that will be fine.
The walk involves crossing the River Kent, which is usually knee deep. The best way to dress for the occasion is to carry a small sack containing a change of clothing, and a towel, plus anything you might want to eat or drink en route.
Secondly, it's cold out in the Bay, all year, so you need something warm and waterproof on your top half. For your legs and feet, a pair of old tracksuit bottoms is fine, with a pair of old trainers on your feet. The sand across the Bay is ridged in many places, and this is very hard on your feet if you think you might walk barefoot. Cedric can do it, but lots of people suffer.
The D/T gradings reflect both the difficulties of walking for up to 9 miles, across sand, through mud and water, in potentially poor conditions, and the nature of the terrain, which on a good day isn't an issue, but at times can be daunting. The distance is variable, and depends entirely on the course of the River Kent and where Cedric can find a safe place to cross it. This varies from year to year; in 2014, the walk was just 6 miles.
But don't let the distance put you off, unless you can't walk that far at a reasonable pace. It's a great experience, and if you've not done it before, then maybe you should try. Dogs and Muggle friends are welcome as long as they are all under proper control, especially the muggles.
Finally, Cedric receives the princely sum of £15 a year from the Queen for fulfilling his duties, although this is a 'private' booking, and not part of his duties as guide. So Cedric will not be offended if anyone attending wants to make a donation, by giving it to him direct at the end of the walk. He'll be well pleased. However, there is no obligation to do this. No doubt he'll have his wife and daughter waiting at the end of the walk to sell and sign books, as well as Certificates to prove that you've done the walk.
A note about conditions underfoot
The first stage of the walk is along the seafront promenade at Arnside, beyond which we drop onto the foreshore itself, an uneven place of sand and rocks. This leads on to the narrow surfaced lane, where we turn right for a short distance, before bearing left to and through a caravan park to emerge at White Creek.
At White Creek, we set out onto the Sands. Usually it is hard-packed sand, ridged and rippled, and often with large areas of shallow standing water.
Eventually, we reach the river. In some years this divides into multiple streams, but usually is just one. It is important to comply with any instructions Cedric or his assistants give, especially at this point – we don't want to lose you now! The crossing can be anything up to 200m wide, but normally less than this. The water has a strong under-current, which will be flowing right to left as you walk, and is usually about knee deep, depending on your size. It's better not to hold on to anyone else, in case either of you falls.
Depending on the position of the river, which can vary from day to day, the final stage of the walk heads for Humphrey Head, before bearing right across marshland. This is threaded with narrow, shallow gullies filled with oozing, black mud – really the first mud you'll encounter on the whole walk – and it smells, but by this stage, we probably all do.
A final short stretch leads alongside the railway line to Kents Bank station.
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A note of caution
It is rare for Cedric to cancel a crossing. But heavy rain in the Lake District during the week before the crossing can affect the course of the River Kent, or, more to the point, create channels that are too deep to cross. Obviously, we won't know until a few days before, and, of course, there's nothing we can do about it. So, we advise anyone travelling a fair distance to have a Plan B.
PLEASE PUT THIS EVENT CACHE ON YOUR WATCH LIST TO PICK UP ANY MESSAGES ABOUT PLAN CHANGES.
Oh....and we can't do anything about the weather. Sorry!
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LOGISTICS: GETTING THERE (AND BACK!)
Getting the transport logistics sorted out are crucial to an enjoyable day. In an ideal situation, two cars do the trick perfectly, leaving one with a full change of clothing at Kents Banks, and driving back to Arnside in time to start the walk, in the other. But not everyone can do that, unless you can link up with others doing the walk.
The next best way is to drive to Kents Bank (park considerately on the road down to the station), and then catch a train back to Arnside. In many respects, it is easier to try to use two cars, or make a weekend of it by staying locally.
TRAINS FROM KENTS BANK TO ARNSIDE
On the day of the walk, there is a convenient train linking Kents Bank and Arnside: at 1241, arriving Arnside at 1251. There is an earlier train, at 1040, should you want to spend time geocaching around Arnside and/or have lunch there.
Trains at the end of the walk are at 1659, arriving Arnside 1709, and 1833, arriving 1843. These return trains are for those who leave their cars at Arnside. Please note, the walk may not finish in time to catch the 1659, and you will not be permitted to push on ahead in the hope of catching it; you must remain with the guide's party. The finishing time will depend entirely on the route used during the walk.
The journey time is 10 minutes from Kents Bank to Arnside; the single fare is £3.20. This information is correct at January 2015, but please check for changes at www.thetrainline.com.
Finally, there is a GAGB Camping Event over the same weekend, for those who enjoy camping events. See GC5N1FF.
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