STEPS 365

Wednesday 6th May 2015 – 18/52 – Icart Point to Pleinmont

Having arrived back late last night from the mainland, and waking up to a wet morning, I was somewhat apprehensive as to what weather would be like for the demanding leg today.

On arriving at Icart Point the rain had ceased, but the wind was very strong and swirling all over the place. Clive, and a delightful German couple who had read the local newspaper, the ‘Guernsey Press’, article on the charity walks, accompanied me on what would prove to be the most difficult weather conditions I had encountered on this energy-sapping leg of my Island walks so far.

Margarete and Lothar were on their second visit to Guernsey and had taken part and completed Bank Holiday Monday’s 20km ‘World Aid Walk’ and were looking forward to seeing this side of the Island’s coastal paths.

Although the wind was very strong as we made our way towards Petit Bot it certainly made for spectacular coastal scenery, with the white waves crashing in over the granite rocks and the sea churning around like a washing machine in the now-bright sunshine of mid-morning. We made good time along the high cliff path but it wasn’t long before we started to encounter those steep steps and long climbs that are characteristic of this particular stretch of cliff path.

Petit Bot proved to be of temporary relief as we were able to get some respite from the wind as we cut inland temporarily, but we then had to encounter the tough climb out of the valley and onto the top of the cliff path. Margarete and Lothar were very interested in all things natural and were pleased to see the good show of flowers that was on display along the way.

With the sun shining brightly it was quite pleasant out of the wind but anywhere the cliff path was exposed to the sea we were subjected to a buffeting. Turning the corner around to Le Gouffre was again quite spectacular as the waves came crashing in onto the rocks and the sea birds were using the conditions to their advantage. We took a quick toilet break at the cafe before heading inland somewhat as we headed for the ‘Snail House’ and back in the general direction of Corbiere car park.

This stretch of cliff path is just the start of the long hard slog of difficult terrain that does not relent until you hit Les Tielles and both Clive and I were prepared for this stretch, but understandably, it was much more challenging for our German colleagues. The difficult wind was also discouraging other cliff path users today as we did not meet as many people as we normally would. Despite the toughness I was very impressed with my new German friends who were 67 and 72 respectively, and really got stuck into the physical ups and downs of this demanding stretch but, rightly, decided to call it a day just before Les Tielles. It was great to share the walk with Margarete and Loathar, I hope they return to Guernsey and enjoy walking around the cliff/coastal paths again.

I was now on my own as Clive had had to leave us at the Prevote Tower and as I made my way past Les Tielles I knew I was still going to have a tough time when I reached the Pleinmont headland, and that was indeed the case as the wind was extremely strong and I was struggling to stay on my feet at times. I didn’t meet any other walkers on my way to the Fairy Ring, probably due to the difficult windy conditions that prevailed.

The tarmac road back to the Pleinmont Kiosk was a most welcome sight as I was physically exhausted, and I was now out of the strong wind which had battereded me all along the Pleinmont headland.

To finish off a difficult day, having been picked up by my wife, Angela, would you believe her car broke down and had to be taken into the garage on a low loader!!!

Wednesday 29th April 2015 – 17/52 – St. Peter Port to Icart Point

It was a pretty dull day as I arrived at the Aquarium for a 10am start – the sky was threatening rain and the seascape had a greyish look about it. 83 year-old Alex arrived on his bicycle, and with no further participants we set off on our cliff path walk to Icart.

There were plenty of visiting walkers around and we met British, German and French visitors who were all heading in the general direction of Fermain Bay. The rain started to come down quite heavily, but fortunately it did not last very long and we were spared a soaking, although it was debatable as to what we could expect for the rest of the morning. Bluebell wood was absolutely beautiful, with carpets of bluebells covering large areas of the wood and it made a lovely sight for all visiting walkers.

We arrived at Fermain Bay in glorious sunshine, although there were very few people around to appreciate it; it is always a wonderful sight when you view the Bay from either side from the cliff paths. People from the States Works’ team were working above Fermain, strimming the encroaching ‘stinking onions’ which grow very strongly at this time of the year. With the sun still shining and the path being protected from any wind we found it necessary to take off a layer of clothing as we made a quick stop just before Marble Bay, but there was no protection from the wind when we arrived at St Martin’s Point, scurrying for the bottom of the steps for the long and exhausting climb up to the car park at Jerbourg. There were few cars in the car park, and the wind was strong as we moved on and along to Jerbourg Point and re-joined the cliff path.

The sky was getting darker and darker as the wind whistled around us and it was with some relief when we got in amongst the bushes and headed towards Petit Port. Alex, a keen observer of the variety of orchids that grow in Guernsey, was very keen to keep his eye out for a group of orchids that grow along this path, and, sure enough, we came upon them, some 30-35 of them looking quite resplendent on the path side.

I was solo from this point as Alex was somewhat restricted for time, but although the dark clouds had receded somewhat I was still expecting to get wet at some point. I arrived at Moulin Huet having seen only one other person, out with their dog, on this stretch. As I reached the top of the cliff near Bon Port Hotel the wind was getting stronger – and down came the rain. Despite the poor weather I was delighted to see that the peregrine falcon that returns regular to Guernsey was out there today, a magnificent bird of prey that is such a wonderful site to see in any weather.

By the time I reached Saint’s Bay I was somewhat wet and bedraggled, but with the finishing line not that far away I was sufficiently encouraged to battle on through the wind and rain. On the top of the cliff path turning westward to Icart the wind was even stronger and not surprisingly there was no one else around. Naturally I was pleased to see the kiosk at Icart and relieved to turn inland and head for home. It was beautiful to see the thatched cottage with its splendid blossom on the way along the Icart Road, I couldn’t resist taking a picture.

I shall treasure some great memories from today’s walk, despite the poor weather.

Week 15

Wednesday 15^th April 2015 – Pleinmont to Pembroke.

I took the 91 bus from St Martin’s to Pleinmont, a route that is now very familiar to me as this is the fourth time I have done this leg of my 365 walking challenge. It was a fabulous morning for walking, with the sun shining brightly and very little breeze; it was low tide, so the sea was well out, exposing the beautiful sandy beaches that Guernsey is blessed with. Knowing I was going to be solo today I decided to stick to the road rather than walk on the beach, although, wherever possible I like to walk on the established coastal paths throughout the 12 mile stretch. Being fair skinned I had loaded up with sun screen and my wide-brimmed hat kept the sun off my head, as it quickly became evident that it was going to get a lot hotter as the day went on.

I quickly covered the distance between Pleinmont and L’Eree, taking time only to observe the comings and goings of people out with their dogs, taking advantage of the sunny weather. One great advantage of the low tide is the amount of rocks which are exposed: looking across from the Le Catioroc was a splendid view in the early morning sunshine. When sticking to the main road you really need to be on your toes around the corner by Fort Richmond as there is no footpath and the traffic does get quite close to you at times.

The coastal path starts after this and there is that beautiful curve of the bay that sweeps around to Vazon. With the exceptional April weather there was plenty of beach activity with mothers and babies in buggies and people just meandering along the wide expanses of exposed sandy beaches. My feet were starting to give me trouble at this stage, and I eventually had to stop and check them by Vistas Café, only to find that I had a nasty blister on my left foot. I would never walk a distance like this without a supply of Compeed plasters and it was with some relief that I was able to treat the rather large blister.

Cobo, as usual, was very busy with all forms of beach enthusiasts, many of them locals who visit the area on a regular basis throughout the hotter weather in the summer. Horse-shoe shaped Port Soif bay with its exposed rock shining in the mid-day sun was a picture to behold, and I often wonder why there are nowhere near as many people on this sandy beach compared to the neighbouring beach at Cobo? The sun was certainly getting much hotter as I pounded on through the coastal path towards the Port Soif Kiosk and beyond, and I found myself having to stop at times to take on much needed fluid as I was losing a lot of body fluid through sweating.

Rousse Tower is always a welcome sight as I know I am relatively near to my eventual finishing line at Pembroke Bay and that it is an opportunity to stop and have take refreshment at this delightful Kiosk, which to me is one of the jewels in the crown of Guernsey tourism. On eventual arrival here I was really feeling the heat and was grateful to have a break and take the weight off my feet. It was great to see the Kiosk so busy today, and the range of salads, sandwiches and cakes is a real testament to Phillipa’s skills, as she provides such a wonderful, efficient service for her spreading client base.

It is amazing what a short break can do for you in such circumstances, and I was able to find an extra gear as I headed towards L’Ancresse Common. There was lots of activity here, with golfers, and many families out enjoying the park and the bay areas in the hot sun.

The experience I have gained in calculating bus timetables since commencing these walks comes in very handy and I was able to optimise my walking pace in order to get the No 92 bus from Pembroke Bay back into my home in St Martin’s. I was some what taken aback by the fact that I had to stand when I did get on the bus, surely an indication of the attractions of a beautiful sunny day, but I eventually got a sit down at the Houmet Tavern when a French family disembarked at the stop

I was somewhat concerned that when we arrived at Pleinmont: the driver had to leave passengers there as the bus was full to the allowed limit. I did wonder if any of those left were possibly elderly locals who will have no other form of transport to get them around the Island?

I was well pleased to finish today’s leg, but it certainly provided me with food for thought for the summer should we have another good long spell of hot, sunny weather.

STEPS!

On Thursday, 16th, we cleaned a further 78 steps above Moulin Huet for our challenge. It was not quite so hot, which was very welcome!

Here we are showing off, having done the longest stretch, of 73 steps, and then Eric is on the road home, having well and truly done his bit this week!