Wednesday 16^th September 2015 – 37/52 – St. Peter Port to Icart Point.

I joined my walking buddy Anne S on the 09.33 bus to town and headed towards our starting point at The Aquarium. It was not a good start to the day as I gazed out and across to the other islands – the visibility was poor, with low dark clouds and sea mist/fog in the distance.

We set off up the Aquarium steps in the hope that, as stated by the forecasters, the day would gradually improve. There was certainly an autumnal feel to the day as we got onto the cliff path going towards Bluebell Wood, with its muddy paths and slippery conditions. Irrespective of the weather I was delighted to be sling-free for the walk today – mind you I was very conscious of where I was putting my feet!

Fermain Bay was our first stop for a toilet break and a quick drink. The Kiosk was just opening as we arrived but the footfall today was rather different from the summer, when it is usually busy with visitors to this beautiful place. The climb out of the valley was quite testing and we both needed a breather as we got to the viewing space that looks back over and across the bay.

It was great to see a couple of other walkers as we reached Marble Bay, and then on to the Pine Forest, which was looking somewhat bedraggled, with lots of trees leaning over, and dead trees lying on the Forest floor. On towards St Martin’s Point the weather, which had improved since we started, was now starting to look decidedly gloomy again.

The climb up the long steps to the top of St. Martin’s Point is hard work and we were both ready for a breather when we eventually hit the top. We met a smashing bunch of walkers from Cheshire here as well: they were all stopping at the Blue Horizon and we had a good chat with them and they also very kindly donated to our charity today.

Heading along towards the German Bunker the weather started to take a turn for the worse, and although initially it was only spitting on, the sea mist was rolling in quickly and by the time we were heading towards Petit Port the rain was getting heavier. Alas, you just have to keep going in these conditions; my concern was for Anne who, like me, had not expected any rain for the walk. As we headed past Petit Port and on to Moulin Huet the heavens opened and we were absolutely drenched. Anne understandably decided to head inland, to the lanes of St Martin’s and eventually home, at this point, while I battled away along the cliff path and eventually got some respite in the shelter of the trees along the path to Moulin Huet

I decided to take the upper path through Moulin Huet, and by the time I got to the viewing point above the bay and near to Bon Port Hotel the rain had stopped and there was blue sky breaking through.

Nevertheless I was absolutely soaked, but it was certainly much pleasanter walking and viewing in these improved conditions. I didn’t meet anyone from here right through Saints Bay and on to Icart, despite the fact that it really was getting out to be a sunny afternoon.

As I approached the finishing line I was thinking to myself that, unusually, I had not seen a kestreltoday, when lo and behold, within 100 yards of the finishing line, up from the craggy cliffs flew a kestrel and hovered above me to salute my finish!

What a relief it was to get home and have a hot shower after getting such a soaking.

My heartfelt thanks to Anne for accompanying me today and my apologies for your soaking as well; we and the regular forecasters somewhat miscalculated today’s walk weather.