Log No 361. Mon 30th Jun 2014 - Wainfleet All Saints to Chapel St Leonards, 18 miles (5514 miles walked)

The fine weather was back and I left Wainfleet at 08.00, it was only 4 miles to Skegness on the main road but I was taking a longer route.

I was going to take minor roads & tracks to get on the beach near Gibraltar Point then walk up the beach to Skegness.

Coming out of Wainfleet I crossed the A52 to get to Havenhouse Railway Station and continued along the minor road.

I expected to see the "No Through Road" sign but not a locked gate across one of the side roads to a farm. I wasn't going on that road but a bit further up a sign warned that the road ahead was gated and locked.

It wasn't looking good but I got to the start of the track before I came to the locked gate. The track had a locked chain strung across it and a notice leaning against it but I could only see the back of the notice.

It had taken me over an hour to get this far and I didn't want to have to retrace my steps back to the main road, I stepped over the chain without looking at the notice and hoped for the best.

The track went as far as a bridge over a drain at which point there was another locked barrier across a farm road with a "No Unauthorised Access" sign. I wasn't going to be near a building until I was right near the public road so I carried on.

I got to the road without seeing anyone, there was another sign at this end as well.


I turned south and walked to the viewpoint near Gibraltar Point. The map at the viewpoint showed a creek flowing out into the sea which was concerning, my map didn't show show any obstructions between here and Skegness.

When I got down to the beach I saw the creek and after walking along it for a bit realised I wasn't going to be able to cross it.

There was nothing I could do other than go back to the public road and walk on it to Skegness.

I was going to get my shopping nearer the campsite so I didn't need to go into the town centre, I headed for the beach at the first opportunity and walked along the seafront.

At the north end of the town I had to walk on the beach as the access alongside the golf course was blocked off.

I got back up on to the seafront after the golf course and then had about 3 miles of caravans, holiday chalets and what looked like a Butlins Holiday Park at Ingoldmells to walk by.

The seafront path continued on to Chapel St Leonards where my campsite was.

I did my shopping then took a slightly longer route to make sure I could find the small site, which I did without any bother, it was 14.40.

The gate into the camping field was locked snd there was a pony roaming freely in it. No one else was camping there and there was no house or reception that I could see. I phoned the site owner but the call wasn't answered.

I walked the mile back into the village to get a cup of tea and to try phoning later. I eventually got in touch with the owner at 16.30 and walked back again. By the time I got there the pony had been put in the paddock and the gate standing open.

I saw the owner a bit later on and he said the pitch was free.

It hadn't been a straightforward walk today and I had done 18 miles, a bit more than I had expected and that didn't include the extra 2 miles back and forward to the campsite.