Wednesday 30^th September 2015 – 39/52 – Pleinmont to Pembroke Bay

I was really expecting a strong head wind today but what I got were ideal walking conditions. Taking into consideration that it was the last day of September, when it dawned a beautiful, clear sunny morning I could not have believe how good it was. The added bonus was the sharpness of all of the colours, it felt akin to having a top of the range HD television, everything just sparkled!

I was doing the leg solo today as sadly none of my walking colleagues were available, but it did give me the opportunity to crack on as I was keen to get back early on the bus in order to join my Club Bon Amis colleagues at Petit Port, doing some sand art.

I quickly got into a good walking rhythm as I passed the Cup and Saucer. There had been a high tide this morning and it was just gently going back out again as I passed. Approaching L’Eree there were lots of seabirds working amongst the huge swathes of seaweed being washed up, no doubt hoping for some rich pickings. I was interested to see a group of children, mainly in wet suits and green, high vis skull caps in the sea off L’Eree, and on enquiring from one of the adult members learned that it was a Year 5 group from the local Hougette School, who were having one of a series of sea swimming lessons. It was great to see them in the sea at this time of the year – they were really enjoying themselves out there.

Moving on through Perelle and onto Richmond Corner I was quite taken aback on the public road when the driver of a huge tractor with a cutting machine on the back started waving his hands at me. Totally bemused by the driver’s actions, I watched as he pulled up by the side of the road, and I approached him. To my utter surprise he told me he wanted to make a contribution to my charity as he had a family member with autism and promptly but a £10 note in my collecting box! The genersity of Guernsey people never fails to amaze me, it really does make all of these walks well worth the effort.

As I turned onto the coastal path heading towards the Richmond Kiosk the wind did increase but the sun was still shining brightly, and there was no indication that these glorious conditions would change. I bumped into Mrs G briefly at the Kiosk but was quickly on my way heading towards Vistas Kiosk. There were lots of people out and about in the area, no doubt taking advantage of the weather and Cobo was very similar; with the golden sand now exposed it looked a real picture as I passed through.

As I turned to go on towards the Port Soif area, and took the opportunity to have a quick drink and a look at the time, I realised that I was making good time and should achieve my objective of catching an earlier bus back home. The rocks around Grandes Rocques and Port Soif are just spectacular, and today, in the bright sunshine, it was just fabulous to see them glistening with the different variations of colour within them.

I thought I was making good time, but there was a lady some 50 yards ahead of me power walking, and there was no way I could have kept pace with her, at the speed she was going!

Dog walkers/walkers, runners, cyclists, swimmers and motorists using the coastal car parks, you meet them all out here on the coastal path.

Although I was doing well with my time, my next big decision was could I stop at my favourite kiosk – Rousse – for my customary crab sandwich, or would that prevent me catching the earlier bus? I settled for the compromise of calling in for my favourites but putting them in my rucksack to eat, hopefully, on the earlier bus. Next time round this way will probably be the last time to stop at the Kiosk as Philippa closes down over the winter period.

The tide was well on its way out now, but, as when we were in this area yesterday, it would have been possible to walk across from Rousse to Amarreurs Harbour due to the very low tide. I was disappointed to find the Male toilets were closed at Amarreurs: despite the fact that the children’s playground is currently out of action there are still plenty of people around who would appreciate the facility being open.

Ladies Bay looked an absolute picture today, the huge swathe of pristine golden sand glistening in the mid-day sunshine. There were plenty of golfers around as well; who wouldn’t want to be out on a day like today? I was sticking to the coastal path route and headed off towards L’Ancresse Common and my final destination, Pembroke Bay.

With my bus due at 4 minutes past 1 I made the stand at 1255, just sufficient time to demolish my super crab sandwiches, before the bus arrived.

By the way, I did manage to catch up with my colleagues at Petit Port, and I thought you might just be interested in what we got up to on one of Guernsey’s most beautiful beaches on the south coast of the island. (See photographs)