Wednesday 22nd. July 2015 – 29/52 – St. Peter Port to Icart Point

It was a beautiful setting for the commencement of today’s walk as the view across from the bathing pool was quite spectacular, with a large cruise ship and a smaller one anchored off, and a Royal Naval frigate patrolling between the islands, all in warm sunshine and a clear sky. Clive S was my only walking companion this morning, on his favourite leg of the walks that we do round the island.

Walking conditions were lovely as we climbed the steps and took in a final view across the harbour and Castle Cornet. The cliff path route through Bluebell Wood and on towards Fermain Bay can, in places, get quite wet and muddy, but with much better weather recently, it was good and firm to walk on today. As well as the pleasant views out to sea and beyond for walkers there are some very nice properties that usually provoke a conversation and whose gardens are very much on a steep slope going down to the cliff path. Fermain Bay looked absolutely super in the morning sunshine and the kiosk was relatively busy as we passed by and headed up the other side of the valley.

The pine Forest looked somewhat dishevelled as we passed through as there are still many trees down from last year and others distinctly leaning over. On our way towards Jerbourg Point we were somewhat bemused by the height of the bracken which not only encroached onto the pathway but prevented any walker getting a view.

The steps up to the top at Jerbourg had been well cut back and, with the warm sunshine, I was definitely struggling by the time we reached the top and desperate for a drink of water. There was some respite as we walked around the tarmac road and on towards La Moye Battery. The back of the Pea Stacks was an impressive sight with the sun shining down on them and the blue sea glistening. There is a great viewing place, just off the cliff path, which is very popular with visitors.

Going around the set of steps above Petit Port produces a fabulous photographic opportunity on days like today and we both commented on the great view.

Moving around towards Moulin Huet it was great to see the hovering kestrel that usually appears around a particular stretch of this cliff path route. Moulin Huet offers the walker the opportunity to go either on the lower or higher path, but my own preference is the lower, albeit it is physically more demanding with some quite steep steps. The views from the lower level are very good, and the kiosk is also on the lower level.

The new path that is going to go down to the Saints Bay kiosk is now much more visible as more work has been done to the project. The sun was still shining brightly as we climbed the steps out of Saints Bay and up to the path above to the west of the Bay and the wonderful views that are available on a clear day like today. We passed a couple of German tourists on our way around to Icart Point and I was most grateful for a donation they gave me for Autism Guernsey.

The finishing line at Icart was a welcome sight as I was feeling quite tired on such a warm day, although Clive still looked good for a few more miles of walking!

I have also just paid into Autism Guernsey a further £200.00 today, bringing our grand total to £600.00 to date in our Autism365 challenge!