Hilbre Islands

Sunday, we went to West Kirby. The weather was fine, warm with a bit of breeze, though the sun was shy from the clouds.

I have been to West Kirby a few years back for a walk, but never really been into Marine Lake.

After safely parked the car, we stepped into a peninsula by the lake straightforwardly. It was very nice walking on this long narrow man-made island which sits in the middle of water. On one side of the lake, some people were surfing.

It is only half mile long. By the end of it, we found that many people did not stop there and went deeply into the shore towards a little island. Curiously, we followed the crowds…

We walked towards to the sea…the sand underneath was still quite dry.

We tried to find where the lifeguards were, that was where the real water begins…

Oh. . There was one, a big four wheel pick-up stationed at the far end…

About half mile or so we got close to the little island. Some people just lay down for sunbath.

This island is not big, a few hundred square meters at most, more like a sandy castle in big version.

Then we realised people did not stop here, they kept going…, there is another island in the far end. Curiously, we followed the crowds….

The sand became increasingly wet. At the far sight, we saw another lifeguard jeep.

We kept going, at this point, we had to really mind where to put our feet down. No body wanted to get his feet complete soaking wet. It was very quiet. There were hardly any people in front of us and behind us, though there were a few people coming towards us. At this time, the clouds had completed broke out. The sun was warm and friendly. About one mile more or less we came near the second island.

Once we climbed on the island, we found that there were so many people on the island. Everybody was taking photos. Surely the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I have only witness this kind of picture on cinema and photo exhibitions. I hated myself not taking the camera with me. What mistake!

When we turned to other side of the island we discovered that there was another island adjacent to this one. It has been one hour and half since we started off, everybody was tired. However, it looks like there were more people on the third island which even has a few big houses on it. Curiously, we followed the crowds…

We went down, passed through the smallest stone bridge (one metre long) in the world and went up. No step was easy, the big red rock made this little journey interesting. The sun is starting burning…

Finally we were here, the biggest island of all three. The beautiful birds, the sea water lap onto red rocks, the endless sky…once you were there you would want staying there forever.

On the island, there were a telegraph house, a couple of retired sheep, a couple of handsome life guards, a couple of flags, the ruined lifeboat station, solar powered beacon. And many other things that I could not name. The good thing is that there is no shop and no tearoom. Very nature, no commercial, joyly good!!!!

Inside the telegraph house, we found a leaflet. Now we knew we were on Hilbre islands, what a news!

After half hour or so, we decided that we had to leave the island before the tides came.

It took a full two hours for us came back to the shore. Everybody was exhausted…

A day trip end with that we found Hilbre Islands, what reward!