Wednesday 29th. July 2015 – 30/52 – Icart Point to Pleinmont

It was dry and cloudy with westerly winds for our start today – the tough leg, finishing at Pleinmont. It was great to have both Anne S and Clive S with me again today, although both were having to cut short the walk and I would be on my own from Corbiere.

Anne took the opportunity to check both of her sets for a slow worm project that she is involved in as we moved along the cliff path and headed towards La Jaoniere Bay, which today looked very picturesque with the golden sand exposed and a break in the clouds allowing the entrance to the Bay to light up in the glistening sun. The Bay is accessible down a step-ladder and is a popular spot for locals.

It was good to see a lot of activity going on around Petit Bot, with a group of young visitors appearing to be getting canoe instruction, and other children obviously enjoying their summer holidays, taking full advantage of the sand and blue water. The pull out of Petit Bot does not get any easier and by the time you reach the top you are definitely ready for a drink and a breather! There was not a lot of walkers out today, and the odd ones we did see were usually locals out walking their dogs.

The weather was steadily getting better as we moved through to Le Gouffre, and the sun was shining brightly as we descended the cliff path steps and then on up through the gradually rising path that takes you to the cafe and past the shop which operates opposite.

The Snail House was soon upon us and then up towards the National Trust land area and onwards to Corbiere car park. Knowing full well that I was on my own from this point and having checked my watch, I needed to make the decision to either ‘leg it’ or do a more leisurely pace to the finish line at Pleinmont: all of this calculation is based on catching the bus back into St Martin’s at 13.45 or 14.45 as the buses only run once an hour. “Leg it” won the day, very much based on my desire to get home to watch the Ashes cricket match which was finely balanced and in my opinion, compulsive viewing!

Despite the sun shining walking can be quite lonely as well as damned hard work on this demanding stretch of cliff path, and by the time I arrived at Les Tielles I had met not one person and was feeling the pace I had set myself. Nature has a wonderful way of redressing the balance, however, and you can never be very lonely when you see and hear the sounds of birds and animals amongst the wonderful backdrop of the scenery.

I checked my watch at Les Tielles and it was touch and go as to whether I would make that bus!

At last I met a group of walkers as I made my way around to Pleinmont Point, which in itself was a pleasant distraction from the strong pace I was still setting myself in order to fulfil my finishing time. More walkers became apparent as I progressed, some probably just wanting to view the German fortifications that are in and around this cliff path area at Pleinmont.

I just love that view out across the cliffs towards the lighthouse, the stronger winds pounding the rocky outcrops that surround the area. It is a great area for walking as you not only get the sea views, but there is also a wide range of bird life that is common to the area. I really was starting to run out of steam at I pounded along the cliff path, which is littered with broken granite pieces that can be quite painful if you happen to stand on them and needs a bit more care as it would be easy to turn an ankle.

Approaching the more sheltered terrain of trees and bushes on the pathway which was to take me to the road along to Portelet Kiosk was most helpful and stimulating, and I was feeling for the first time that I was in with a chance of catching that 13.45 bus. The sun was shining brightly as I did eventually arrive with 10 minutes to spare, and I still had time to order a crab sandwich before I caught my bus home and found out what was happening in the Ashes Test at Edgebaston!

Photographs today courtesy of Sarah Snell Photography – https://www.facebook.com/sarahsnellphotography?fref=ts