Wednesday 18^th November 2015 – 46.52 – Icart Point to Pleinmont

It was a very dull start for our tough walk today, but although there were dark clouds above there was no rain and none forecast: the strong wind would probably be our biggest handicap today.

I met Anne S off the 81 bus and we made our way towards the starting line at Icart and we were delighted to be joined by John H, joining us for the first time, whose next birthday will make him an octogenarian. John would be walking part of the leg today, branching off at Petit Bot. If we needed any further indication of what kind of weather to expect today we quickly got it whilst waiting for our 10am start when the wind was whistling strongly off the cliff face and blowing straight into our faces.

The only respite we did get when we started was where there was some shelter from the wind, but there are very few sheltered areas on this stretch so consequently we were very much exposed to the conditions. Despite the difficulty the big bonus was the fabulous sea views with the angry sea battering into the rocks and producing some spectacular photographic opportunities. It was great to have a chat with John along the way: he walks regularly and is very knowledgeable about walks throughout the island.

John dropped off at Petit Bot as agreed, but Clive, who walks regularly with us, also caught us up here, with the intention of going on to the end at Pleinmont. It is always a tough climb out of this bay, but it levels off at the top as you progress through the wooded area and the open road that takes you around to rejoin the cliff path route and on to Le Gouffre. Arriving at the walled area where you turn sharp right up the path to the top the sea view was even more dramatic as the waves crashed into the jutting rocky cliffs in this area. Arriving at the tea room at Le Gouffre and getting some respite from the strong wind, Anne decided to call it a day rather than carry on to Corbiere, which is normally what she would do on this leg. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Anne, Clive and John who turn out on days like today, yet not one of them is under 70 years of age!

Onwards to Corbiere and the even more challenging stretch through to Tielles – today it really was head down and attack for this stretch of cliff path, and this is exactly what we did do, but, boy, those steps seemed even steeper at times! There is always a warm feeling when you do get to Les Tielles knowing full well that the remainder of the walk to Pleinmont is relatively easy going, but today turned out to be the exception with the wind ever increasing in speed and the sea getting angrier by the minute. At one point along this stretch we stopped to watch a quite spectacular occurrence as the sea was smashing into the rocks so hard it produced what can only be described as a sort of ‘bubble machine’, throwing foam with hundreds of bubbles up and above the cliff face and over our heads and settling in the fields behind us.

Struggling to get up and onto the exposed Pleinmont Point,we were literally blown sideways when we did arrive there, the wind was so strong. I had not encountered conditions like this on my previous 11 walks in this area; although quite often windy, today really was exceptional. Out to sea and around the Hanoislighthouse the sea was raging; needless to say we were the only souls out walking in these conditions and overall we had only met 3 men and 2 dogs in this 8 mile stretch from Icart to Pleinmont.

What a relief for both of us to get down off the top of Pleinmont Point and onto the relative calm and tranquility of the road to the kiosk at Portelet.

They were very difficult windy conditions for today’s leg, and one of those that you have to dig deep to get through, but on the plus side the sea views were spectacular, and we now only have to do this leg one more time this year!