Sunderland Point - July 2012

Sunday July 29th - A drive to Sunderland Point to enioy their 'Tea on the Green and a History Walk around the Point'

We arrived to glorious sunshine having left Leyland in the rain.  We crossed the causeway, which you are only able to at low water, the road is covered around high water.  Our car is parked on the left at the entrance to the village.  I waited for this car to move, covering the warning sign, but it didn't.

With our back to the car we looked across the river estuary to the sailing club, Glasson

Walking to the Reading Room and Green

The Green with the Reading Room on the left

The survivors of the famous Cotton Tree.

We set off northwards and this is the first stop, Peter explaning the buildings and their history.

After walking towards the causeway with more explanations we came bavck and set off up the track to the western shore and towards Sambo's grave.  Along the path we passed this building which is where the rich merchants of Lancaster came to look out for their ships approaching Sunderland

On the western shore with the Plover Scar or Abbey Light lighthouse in the distance.

Little is known about Sambo although there are many stories woven round his landing at Sunderland off a boat from the cotton belt of the USA.

Still on the western shore before we round the Point.   Peter is explaining that this area is the habitat of the Belted Beauty Moth and this salt marsh is now believed to be the only place left where you can find them.  Round the Point and heading back to the Green this is the second building, the Hall.  If I couldn't live in Cornwall this is where I would like to live.  The railings in front originally were part of a ship.

Scions of the famous Cotton Tree.  The tree is actually a female black poplar (Populus nigra betulifolia), a rare native species, although the tree has now gone these two 'shoots' from the roots have sprung up.  It finally toppled over at 8.15pm on 1st January 1998, the victim of old age and the fierce gales that struck the area on Christmas Eve, 1997. It is estimated that the Cotton Tree was between 200 and 250 years old.
We enjoyed a Sunderland cream tea in the sunshine, waited upon by volunters from the Friends of Sunderland Point.

This ball, on top of the pillar, used to be with the other one on the other side of the gatepost seen in the photo below

Looking across from Sunderland Point towards the Sailing Club.  This is a photomerge of three shots I took.  Right to left - the caravan site, the house tops of the village of Glasson Dock, the sailing club, Lancaster University and in the distance the Williamson Memorial in Lancaster.

Our last look at the village before we set off home.