Wednesday 29th April 2015 – 17/52 – St. Peter Port to Icart Point

It was a pretty dull day as I arrived at the Aquarium for a 10am start – the sky was threatening rain and the seascape had a greyish look about it. 83 year-old Alex arrived on his bicycle, and with no further participants we set off on our cliff path walk to Icart.

There were plenty of visiting walkers around and we met British, German and French visitors who were all heading in the general direction of Fermain Bay. The rain started to come down quite heavily, but fortunately it did not last very long and we were spared a soaking, although it was debatable as to what we could expect for the rest of the morning. Bluebell wood was absolutely beautiful, with carpets of bluebells covering large areas of the wood and it made a lovely sight for all visiting walkers.

We arrived at Fermain Bay in glorious sunshine, although there were very few people around to appreciate it; it is always a wonderful sight when you view the Bay from either side from the cliff paths. People from the States Works’ team were working above Fermain, strimming the encroaching ‘stinking onions’ which grow very strongly at this time of the year. With the sun still shining and the path being protected from any wind we found it necessary to take off a layer of clothing as we made a quick stop just before Marble Bay, but there was no protection from the wind when we arrived at St Martin’s Point, scurrying for the bottom of the steps for the long and exhausting climb up to the car park at Jerbourg. There were few cars in the car park, and the wind was strong as we moved on and along to Jerbourg Point and re-joined the cliff path.

The sky was getting darker and darker as the wind whistled around us and it was with some relief when we got in amongst the bushes and headed towards Petit Port. Alex, a keen observer of the variety of orchids that grow in Guernsey, was very keen to keep his eye out for a group of orchids that grow along this path, and, sure enough, we came upon them, some 30-35 of them looking quite resplendent on the path side.

I was solo from this point as Alex was somewhat restricted for time, but although the dark clouds had receded somewhat I was still expecting to get wet at some point. I arrived at Moulin Huet having seen only one other person, out with their dog, on this stretch. As I reached the top of the cliff near Bon Port Hotel the wind was getting stronger – and down came the rain. Despite the poor weather I was delighted to see that the peregrine falcon that returns regular to Guernsey was out there today, a magnificent bird of prey that is such a wonderful site to see in any weather.

By the time I reached Saint’s Bay I was somewhat wet and bedraggled, but with the finishing line not that far away I was sufficiently encouraged to battle on through the wind and rain. On the top of the cliff path turning westward to Icart the wind was even stronger and not surprisingly there was no one else around. Naturally I was pleased to see the kiosk at Icart and relieved to turn inland and head for home. It was beautiful to see the thatched cottage with its splendid blossom on the way along the Icart Road, I couldn’t resist taking a picture.

I shall treasure some great memories from today’s walk, despite the poor weather.