Wednesday 14^th October 2015 – 41/52 St. Peter Port to Icart Point
It was a dry and sunny morning as we set off up the steps by the Aquarium and onwards to the lower tier of Fort George. Clive S joined me this morning, this being his favourite leg of the 4 walks that take us all around the coast of Guernsey. Whilst on our way through Bluebell Wood we came across a gentleman whom I had spoken to at the bathing pools earlier, who was busy working out suitable walks for a group of 49 walkers who were coming to the island in August next year – always good to hear of walkers wanting to enjoy what Guernsey has to offer!

With the dry walking conditions and the sunlight sending shafts through the foliage, it was, as always, a
delight to walk this section through to Fermain Bay. There were some people down at the Bay when we arrived and the staff in the Kiosk were busy getting ready to open. Having climbed on out of the Bay we took time to look out from the viewing spot at the top; Alderney and the coast of France were visible today, very much indicative of the good weather conditions we were enjoying.

There is just so much to see on this coastal path – I can see why Clive says it is his favourite. Despite the fact that both of us have, over the years, walked this route many, many times, I just never get fed up of doing it over and over again.

On through Marble Bay and the Pine Forest and onwards to Jerbourg Point and the climb to the top up those steep steps at St. Martin’s Point: I have now counted the steps and, including the set at the bottom, there are 273 to negotiate! Many of the really fit runners think nothing of running up and down them a couple of times a week, just as part of their training schedule. No kiosk open now, but to my relief the toilets were open.

The walk around to La Moye Battery and on to Petit Port is always a pleasant walk and is popular with local dog walkers and groups of walkers as you can walk around it in a
circular route and the views are quite spectacular. The Pea Stacks looked superb today, with the sun showing off the varying colours and shades of the granite and the sea shimmering in the midday sunshine. It never fails to amaze me how different this Renoir favourite looks when you see it from the many different vantage points along this cliff path route.

Onwards we went, and round to Moulin Huet where, surprisingly, there were not many people about. Once again you have to negotiate a lot of steep steps until you reach the top opposite the now empty Bon Port Hotel. There is an alternative route via the car park and toilets, which, although it does have steps, is not so steep. My particular preference is the steeper route as the views are quite stunning.

We had a quick water break at the viewing point at the top near the memorial stone to Alan Ingrouille and then onwards to Saints Bay. The St Martin’s Douzaine have done a lot more work on the new path down towards the Kiosk and it is now quite visible off the cliff path. Climbing out of Saints Bay also highlights the zig-zagging path winding its way down to the Kiosk, as you look back across Saints valley.

The weather today had been a real bonus and even when we turned to head into Icart there was no strong wind and the sun was still shining brightly. We arrived around 1pm, which is about par for Clive and me. Although we finish the walk at Icart we both still have quite a way to walk to get back to our respective homes, but on a day like today, that was no hardship whatsoever.