Wednesday 8^th. July 2015 – 27/52 – Pleinmont to Pembroke Bay

It was a dullish morning as Clive S and I set off from Pleinmont, with a cross wind and the tide coming in for a mid-day high tide. We had not been started very long when Sue D joined us, having been dropped off by her daughter in her car. The fishing boats anchored off were up and down like yo-yos as the strong incoming tide battered them around. We kept very much to the sea wall along the road, which gave us some protection from the wind.

We made very good time all the way around to Richmond Corner and then proceeded towards Vazon Bay along the grey coastal path. There were plenty of swimmers in full wet suits at Vazon as the tide was rattling in at a fair pace, providing some good waves for them to jump through. The weather changed dramatically at Albecq and we quickly scurried to put on our waterproof jackets as we began to get wet with sea mist and rain mixed in. Fortunately it was only for a short spell and by the time we were heading towards Cobo the sun and blue sky were with us, and things were looking a lot brighter.

The coastal views were brilliant as we bordered around Grand Rocque and Port Soif; with the beautiful colour of the sea, the pink and blue granite rocks, and the glistening sandy beaches it really was an artist’s paradise in conditions as good as this.

The sea birds were out in plenty, feeding off the strong incoming tide as it hit the shore and it appeared there were some rich pickings for the little egrets, seagulls and other varieties of sea birds that were on the shoreline. Kestrels were also visible with that oh so familiar hovering that is their common trademark. On the way around to Rousse Tower there is a large rock which today was full of black sea birds which none of us were sure about as to whether they were shags or cormorants, but never the less they were obviously having a good feeding day today. There were plenty of people around the bays today, with visitors and locals who all use this now well-established coastal path.

Rousse Kiosk has now become a ‘must’ stopping point on our walks, and both Clive and I can honestly say we have yet to taste a better crab sandwich anywhere on the Island – Philippa, they are just to die for! Sue left us at Rousse after we had been fed and watered, and Clive and I carried on and around L’Ancresse Common, and back in to Pembroke Bay, our finishing point.

The weather was getting better all the time, and there was no sign whatsoever of rain as we arrived at our destination, with Clive taking the decision to finish his walk off with a swim in the bay. Despite the early weather conditions today, this was yet another enjoyable walk with some stunning views around the coast.

Whilst waiting for the bus I was greatly touched by a couple of families who had just got out of two English registered cars: one of the children tapped the back of my legs and handed me some coins for Autism Guernsey – a great way to finish off this 11 mile stretch of walking!

PS – Why don’t you take a look at Rousse Kiosk’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rousse-kiosk/103687149672006?fref=ts ? They are on Twitter as well – @RousseKiosk

Thank you to Sarah Snell for the use of her photos – of Port Soif and of the view across the Grande Havre from the Houmet Inn.