Saturday 18th April 2015

This was the first time I have taken part in this walk, and also the first time for many years that I have walked some 15 miles continuously. The fact that I am currently walking on a weekly basis for Autism Guernsey was both re-assuring and daunting as I know how tough each leg on the cliff path is to do individually, but to do two consecutively was a whole new ball game for me! What I have learned is that this type of walking is not only physically demanding but you need to mentally prepare yourself and get into a positive frame of mind, setting a good walking rhythm to get through to the finishing line.

Getting up the steep steps at St Martin’s Point was my first real challenge, and having managed that comfortably I checked in and found that I had the luxury of having my water bottle topped up – I am not used to this kind of support on my regular charity walks!

By the time I reached Petit Port the sun was starting to break through and I was making good time and had established a good walking rhythm. Apparently there were some 108 taking part today but apart from 2 runners and 1 walker who had passed me earlier, I was not aware of any others close behind me. Through Moulin Huet, on to Saints Bay and then around to Icart I was going really well, and knowing that once I got to Icart Point I had already completed one of my regular sections was a huge psychological boost, with the added bonus that I had also completed this in under 2 hours. Arriving at Icart I was once again able to top up my water bottle, and I was joined by Joe, who had caught up behind me. It was great to have some company, and it is a real bonus when you both walk at a similar pace.

Still keeping up the momentum that we had set we comfortably arrived at Petit Bot, which is probably about the halfway point in the walk. We checked in again and topped up the water bottles, but both of us really wanted to keep up the momentum so we kept going, with the lung-busting climb out of the valley, then on to Le Gouffre, our next landmark. The weather was bright and sunny now and it made for very pleasant walking conditions.

I must compliment the States department responsible for cleaning the cliff path steps, the work they have done this year is very much appreciated.

Reaching Corbiere I knew a huge test lay ahead for both of us: I know just how physically demanding this terrain is from here to Les Tielles, and allied with the fact that the sun was warm, we really had to find another gear and draw on some physical reserves to pull us through. Ultimately there is just no other way of approaching such a challenge than to work very hard and withstand the physical/mental pain, but despite the steep ups and downs I always take great pleasure from the stunning scenery that is on view on this stretch, and I knew that once we reached Les Tielles we were into a relatively steady stretch of path that would take us onto our final destination at Portelet. We were both feeling the physical strain, as you might expect at this stage of the walk, but although we had considerably slowed our walking pace, no other walkers had caught us up.

The ‘Fairy Ring’ was a welcome sight as we looked down the road towards the finishing line, and some 5 hours after starting we had finished the walk, very tired but well pleased with our individual performances on the day.

In finishing this blog I would like to thank all those involved in the setting up and administration of the Walk on the day. I sincerely wish you all well in raising much needed funds for the Charities you are supporting, Cancer UK, Hope for Guernsey and Yme programme.