Hilbre Island - An Urban Picnic

As usual we did not advertise our destination, we ask for participants come prepared for all weather conditions and to paddle.

In fact most of us these days are no longer prepared for the weather, we are not used to being out in the country, away from town comforts for a day. 'pool apologises for the gap in our understanding.

The 'pool paddle was to Hilbre Island, the day was chosen specifically with the warden to ensure the tide was right to stay over on the island at high tide,.

Everyone was excited when we met at Central station, and took the train to West Kirby, it was a good opportunity to get to know each other and compare notes.

How ever when the reality of walking to the island and staying over the high tide arrived, what at first seemed a good idea, collapsed as reality set in, some people turned back at the prom, others half way across and the rest chose to walk straight back before the tide came in.

'pool think it a very interesting comment on peoples understanding of climate change when most of can hardly experience climate or land any more.

We felt it important that everyone did as they saw best, Jean stayed on the island and took the following photos of the island, imagining what the rocky outcrop of Liverpool would have been like in the 13^th century.

Many thanks to the Friends of Hilbre www.hilbreisland.org.uk, who invited Jean to share their annual meal on the island, she has become a member!