Hey, is anyone able to help me?

[mudxdresser]

Ok, thanks for the info, you're in England, that makes it easy, that is, other than the lack of a vehicle. Swear off the whole tidal mud flat thing, go for the Thames river valley and the various sand and gravel silt ponds that come and go from time to time there...

[Theog]

YerKidden: The tides times around here are readily available, since they are required for access to the island of Lindisfarne, about a mile or two away from the swamp spot. Using these times you can work out roughly when the tide will be in at the sand spots (normally half an hour after the last safe crossing time) and I wouldn't DREAM of sinking when there was an incoming tide within the next few hours. Like I mentioned before, its normally accessible for over half of the day, but from what I've read on here, I wouldn't attempt it, unless I had tons more experience, and a guaranteed way to get out as an "in case" I got badly stuck.

Undergrain: That actually IS a great idea, my dad (whose house this is) uses wood to make random things for the garden, so it shouldn't be difficult to borrow some from time to time.

Bart: Firstly, regarding being worried about being seen, no, I normally don't worry. It's not clear from the scale of that image I put up, but the area of coast shown there must cover at least 3 or 4 miles. While in the summer months, the beaches around there are fairly busy around noon, a lot of people prefer to go to Spittal beach, about six or seven miles north of the top of the image, since it is a nicer beach, and in close proximity to Berwick Upon Tweed, which is where all the restaraunts etc are, so the tourists migrate to there from about 3PM onwards. While it appears to be a flat area (and you're not far wrong) there is a green smudge you cant really see clearly on that image right under the word "Beach" in "Beach Spot 1" What this is, is a large sand dune (which the area has a lot of, but mostly at the edge of the mainland) which takes around 15 minutes just to walk past, and is pretty tall (well over 10 feet), so I felt it provided enough cover from that side. The only other main place to watch is the path down from Goswick, but that is rarely used now, due to easier access from a car park a few miles north of the photo. The second beach spot is in the open, and while you can see the cause way clearly from it, at that distance, the cars are about the same size as the smilies on here, so I Imagine a person would appear a good bit smaller again. Didn't particularly like that spot though, because, admittedly, I did feel it was a bit open.

The swampy spot is fairly close to the causeway for my liking, and if you were at its coastal side, you could be seen easily. However, further in, a lot of the causeway is obscured from view, and the tall reeds would make you more difficult to spot if you were to A) crouch a bit or B) sink. The only problem with this spot is the cleanup, since I'm not sure how I would explain coming home in such a state, or any footprints if I tried to shower it off. The sea would be the most obvious choice, but its a good distance away, at least a 30 minute walk just to reach it. I'm guessing I'll just have to take my own supply of water etc to clean up on the route back...

Thanks a lot for pointing out the spots further south, but I don't think they are as good a spot for me as they could be as I, unfortunately, travel in from the north, and it takes a good hour and a half (or more) to reach the swamp there, not to mention the same journey to get back. Altogether, I live around 7 miles from Lindisfarne, so its a bit of a walk. I should probably explain now that I'm a student, so probably not as fit as some of the other members on here (or maybe I am, I have no Idea), but all I know is walking there and back last time is about as much as I can really manage at my current level of fitness. I'll bear those spots in mind though, in case I somehow get access to dad's car, as it would be a lot better to try spots further afield.

Mudxdresser: While I do, technically live in England, I live on the Border with Scotland, so I think the Thames valley may be a bit of a travel from here. Thanks for the suggestion though, I appreciate it.

[YerKiddin]

Most houses in the states have at least one outdoor faucet. (My house has two) If you go home muddy, just rinse off outside before going in. I usually pack a washcloth, water bottles (4 or 5 2liter bottles worked for me) and a towel when I went mudding.

[Theog]

I was thinking 2 to 3 bottles, but your suggestion of 4 to 5 would make more sense. Cheers.