Wednesday 26^th August 2015 – 34/52 – Icart Point to Pleinmont

Arriving back late from Gatwick last night, I woke up this morning knowing that this leg of the walks today would probably be the most difficult I would endure this year. With the knowledge that none of my walking buddies was available today to accompany me, and that the likelihood of any other hardy souls turning up at 10am at Icart Point was virtually nil, plus the appalling weather forecast of storm-force winds and heavy rain, I accepted that with one arm in a sling and the other holding a walking pole, this was going to be no picnic! My one consolation was that my good wife was available to support me at strategic points on the walk and that she had telephone contact with me throughout.

Angela – I was apprehensive about Eric doing this leg on his own – it is the most demanding and difficult, with treacherously steep and uneven steps: awkward even when it is dry and you have no hindrances, as he has with his arm in a sling. I was glad when he agreed to let me “track” him over the worst bits, so that if he’d had a problem I was quite close and could help, and we were able to stay in touch by phone. Picture above, the view from the car as we arrived at Icart, and left, Eric about to begin his trek. 
Surprise, surprise no other additional walkers appeared as I trudged off in the strong winds and light rain heading for Petit Bot. With the sea crashing in and the poor light prevailing I was nevertheless soon into a walking rhythm that I felt happy with, and despite the worsening weather I quickly arrived at Petit Bot. Not surprisingly, I did not meet one person on this stretch and as I passed through the Petit Bot Kiosk area there was no one around the Kiosk or on the beach. As always, a lung-busting climb up the steps to the top of Petit Bot, then I was through the coastal path and the climb down the cliff path steps at Les Fontenelles. As I turned the corner above the moorings, I could see some form of human life in the distance as three people were heading towards the Le Gouffre shop and café. By the time I caught up with them in this area they were safely tucked away in the warmth of their ‘H’ car and had the engine running.

I met Angela here for a very quick drinks break, and then carried on towards the Snail House. The strong wind and the rain were getting worse but I took some consolation from the fact that I passed some States Workers cleaning up the cliff paths with their regular maintenance work; in a somewhat selfish way I felt rather better that I was not the only one wet and battered by the wind! My decision to use a walking pole turned out to be a good one, as it gave me the necessary support I was looking for on the wet paths.

The weather was appalling while he was doing this stretch – it was raining so hard I could hardly see to drive, and was very concerned about the state he would be in, exposed as he was.

Heading towards La Corbiere the rain was really lashing down and I was somewhat apprehensive about this next difficult stretch of steep climbing steps. Time-wise I was doing surprisingly very well and this gave me a psychological boost for the remainder of the walk as I headed towards the La Prevote Tower. Having passed the Tower in a somewhat wet and bedraggled state I was pleased to see human life again in the form of a dog walker and three children: the dog would be the only one I saw throughout the whole of the walk.

It is always a tough ask on this stretch of the walk, yet despite the still wet and windy conditions it really was a spectacular sight to see the sea crashing in to the rocks and the sounds that it made. On approaching Les Tielles, would you believe it, I met only my second cliff path walker heading in the opposite direction, a tall gentleman in shorts: I just hoped he was aware of the terrain he would be encountering in the next hour or so! I was pleased to see Angela waiting for me at Les Tielles, and had a quick stop for a drink and an energy bar – and a photo, above – and then on for the final push over Pleinmont Point and on to the finishing line at the Kiosk at Portelet.

                                         Eric coming past the tower above La Congrelle
Boosted by the fact that the rain was subsiding and the wind was lessening I pushed on with the Watch House at Mont Herault as my next checkpoint, then on past the next tower and bunker to Pleinmont Headland.

From the bunker at Pleinmont looking back to Mont Herald Watch House and La Prevote Tower, and left, Eric beside the bunker.

It is always interesting to listen to what locals and visitors think of our Occupation heritage sites, and today, as always, these fortifications stood firm against the elements, an everlasting memorial to the many hundreds of slave workers who built and died alongside these concrete constructions.
Suddenly as I climbed on to the top the wind and rain increased considerably, making it hard going over the Headland, but the wild and raging sea towards the Hanois Lighthouse was something else and I could not help feel sympathy for the crew of a passing fishing boat being tossed around in the midst of it all. What a relief to get off the Headland and to turn inland! To my surprise I found that the weather changed very quickly, with little wind and the sun shining through!

I arrived at the Kiosk around 5 minutes past 1, and I was well pleased with that, taking into consideration my physical limitations and the appalling weather – undoubtedly the toughest and wettest leg I have completed.

My husband is absolutely my hero! He completed this section safely, and in record time! I don’t know how he does it – they say Guernsey folk are stubborn, but I think that Eric shows that Yorkshire folk are their equal! He pushes on whatever the obstacles to raise money for Autism Guernsey, a charity understandably dear to our hearts as our son founded it, in this year of the Autism365 Challenge. He is wonderful.