Wednesday 25th March 2015  4/52  St Peter Port to Pembroke Bay

This leg was outstanding from January; I completed it today, but in reverse.

Looking across from Town towards Bulwer Avenue I realised what I had let myself in for by doing a double leg walk today: the distance appears much further when you are on your own and have just recently come in the opposite direction! Some compensation was the fact that it was getting warmer, and once I had got into a good walking pattern again I was able to eat up the distance quite quickly. The tide was receding quickly and exposing the sand and rocks and people were taking the opportunity to run and walk along sand as opposed to using the coastal or tarmac pathways.

There was plenty of work activity to observe in and around Bulwer Avenue and likewise as I wound my way through the Bridge area again. I love seeing the boats being spruced up for the coming season, it is wonderfully colourful in this busy area of St Sampson’s.

Woodie’s Kiosk at Bordeaux was a welcome sight, as I was grateful for a drink and toilet break and it was of great psychological advantage as I was quite confident of finishing from here, despite the fact I was tiring physically from taking on this additional leg on the same day. Bordeaux Harbour is a superb spot, whether the tide is in or out, and I couldn’t help admiring the wonderful view as I passed by the spot.

The popular walk along the coastal path at Petils Bay is very well used by many walkers and is well provided with seats that give the onlooker a marvellously wide view out to sea and beyond, with Herm and Jethou just across the Roads.

Heading inland was a huge bonus to me as I not only got out of the wind but I was able to observe fully the character of this quiet but most interesting rural area heading up the Guernsey north-east coast. I came across one field where the owner was cutting the large grass field with his tractor – the smell was sensational and reminded me very much that early Spring was upon us.

On through Beaucette Marina, and I was back out onto the coastal path which gave me a quick glimpse of my finishing point at Pembroke Bay. Invariably the sight of the finishing line after a hard day’s walking is a great boost and I somehow found the additional gear I needed as I quickly moved back over the ground I had already covered earlier the same day.

In contrast to this morning the tide appeared miles out when I eventually walked the homeward stretch to Pembroke Bay, but the glistening sands and sea were a pleasant and satisfying sight as I eventually reached my car in Pembroke Bay car park, some 4 hours 20 minutes after setting off at 10am this morning.