Wednesday 17th June 2015 – 24/52 – Pembroke Bay to St. Peter Port

Arriving at Pembroke Bay on a dull morning, I was greeted with the tide quite a way out and relatively small waves gently lapping over the clear sand. Previously the wind had been very strong, and with the tide well in, the waves were crashing over the concrete wall.Both Clive and Sue joined me today, so it was nice to see them again and pick up on their travels, which had prevented them walking the previous week.

The forecast was for the weather to gradually improve and for the sun to break through, but there was little sign of this happening as we set off towards the rifle range at Fort Le Marchant. It is amazing how different the sea and the coastal area looks in dullish light, although the walking was much easier without a strong headwind holding us back. We were going at a quickish rate today as all three of us are of a similar pace, and it was not long before we were heading inland after clearing Beaucette Marina. I always enjoy walking through the quiet country lanes which appear to be so peaceful and tranquil, and it takes you back in time to what life was like living in Guernsey when there were few vehicles on these narrow country lanes.

The view of all of the other islands was rather dark and dull today, with not a lot of shipping or boats out in the Little Russell. Bordeaux Kiosk was a welcome site and we stopped for a toilet break and a nice cup of coffee. There were plenty of people around the Kiosk, it certainly gives the impression of having a good, local customer base. St Sampson’s was next, with the usual mix of industrial workers, boats people and regular shoppers as we trundled from North to Southside along the always busy urban roads.

The new garage/housing project being built on the once derelict site along the front near the Halfway is progressing well, the contractors no doubt wanting to get the new buildings wind and watertight whilst the good weather is here. Additionally, we were very interested in the work going on to lay the new outfall pipe out to sea, the site now a hive of activity both at sea and on the shoreline. This is a big project which is so important to the future of Guernsey’s infrastructure.

On the way into St. Peter Port the sun started to break through and it looked as though it would turn out to be a lovely afternoon for everyone. It was great to see the finance sector workers using their lunch break to have a game of boules near the large roundabout.

Having reached our finishing point Sue caught the bus back home but Clive and myself, after a short break, decided to take advantage of the now glorious weather and walk back to our respective home bases, through Fort George, St Martin’s and in Clive’s case, the Forest.

It was great to have the company of both Sue and Clive today.

Thanks go to the Guernsey Weather Fox for use of his photograph of Pembroke  Bay. Follow on http://www.guernseyweatherfox.com or Guernsey Weather Fox on Facebook.