We apologise for the fact that this Wednesday’s walk, 28th. January, must be postponed due to family bereavement. We will reschedule this walk on our return.
Week 3
Good things come in threes…
21st. January 2015 3/52 – Pleinmont to Pembroke Bay:
It was a cold but rain-free morning as I set off solo along the coast road to L’Eree. There must have been a high tide and strong winds during the night as the road was absolutely littered with seaweed, pebbles and a variety of other items for the first mile of this leg, and although vehicles were using the road they were having to proceed very cautiously. It was quite cold, but there was no strong wind to hold me back and I was able to establish a steady pace as I made my way to Vazon. It is always likely that you will meet other walkers, dog walkers and onlookers on the coast road, and this proved to be the case. It was great to be able to have a chat as I passed by, and I was very much encouraged by a couple of gentlemen who wished me luck in completing my leg today.
No matter what time of the year it is the beaches and the sea always look very attractive, and there is usually a good variety of sea birds to be seen en route.
Passing Cobo I was anxious to see the progress that was being made with the new-build housing project that has attracted a lot of criticism from the Guernsey public. It appears to be nearing completion, but I must admit I have certain reservations about it; it will, however, undoubtedly be a superb location for the eventual residents of this project. Cobo has always been a jewel in the crown of beach locations and probably is one of the most favourite summer locations for the locals.
Onwards towards Rousse, and the skies were starting to darken, and I expected to get somewhat wet in the next mile or two. I really fancied a bacon buttie at Rousse but unfortunately the kiosk was closed and I had to resort to my bag of nuts and a couple of oranges that were stuffed into my jacket pocket.
It was great to turn into the L’Ancresse Common area and see my final destination; the expected rain didn’t arrive although I was somewhat soaked inside with sweat! The golf links looked well despite an absence of golfers as I made my way down the path towards the Pembroke Bay car park, and I was extremely fortunate to meet a bus coming around the corner which took me back into St Peter Port.
This leg had taken me some 3 hours to complete.
Posted in Guernsey, Walking
Tagged Autism Guernsey, Charity walk, Guernsey, Island, Kiosk, sea
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Week 2
14th January 2015 – 2/52 – Icart Point to Pleinmont:
It was a dullish start to this leg, which I would consider to be the most difficult and demanding leg of this round-Island walk, but I very much appreciated the company of Clive, a 69-year old gentleman and regular cliff walker who had decided to join me.
The walk towards Petit Bot immediately gives you a feel of the undulating terrain ahead and moving on from this point you can feel your lungs pounding from the climb back out of the Valley. The weather continued to improve and in the more sheltered areas of the walk it almost felt Spring like.
My walking companion, Clive, was a very experienced, regular walker who was very familiar with this walk along the cliff path, and we discussed many of our own thoughts of the route.
Once the relatively moderate terrain towards Corbierre had been covered the more demanding undulating pathways really start to test the knee and thigh joints. There was no respite from the conditions as we headed for Pleinmont Point and it was only when we reached Les Tielles that it seemed the pathways became less daunting. Another difficulty on this homeward stretch is that you become much more exposed to the elements, and it was quite noticeable that the wind was getting up and we could feel rain in the air. We did in fact get quite a battering with the very strong wind on the exposed top of Pleinmont and it was only when we made our descent to the Fairy Ring that we got some respite from the difficult conditions.
We were both relieved to arrive at the bus terminus at Pleinmont at 13.15 and after a short wait we took the bus back to our respective homes.
Very demanding conditions at times, but a most enjoyable walk.
Many thanks to Visit Guernsey for the photographs of the Fairy Ring and Portelet Bay
Posted in Guernsey, Walking
Tagged Autism Guernsey, Charity walk, Cliff paths, Guernsey, Island, sea
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Week 1
I am sorry this fell down so quickly and I am already 2 weeks behind! – a little matter of being away and hubby having wrong email address on his iPad contacts. Anyway, here is Eric’s account of his first week’s walk:
7th January 2015 – 1/52 – St Peter Port to Icart Point:
Great start to my Autism Guernsey 365 Challenge cliff/coastal path walks when I was joined by Anne S (celebrating her 71st birthday) and Delga B for the first of my 52 walks this year.
The weather was fine and the sun shone brightly, particularly in the early stages, and Fermain Bay looked a picture in the winter sun. We were fortunate to meet Juliet P of the Guernsey Press, who took the opportunity to interview us for a future article in the local newspaper. All good publicity for the cause!
On reaching St Martin’s Point we suddenly became exposed to the elements and we struggled to keep our feet in the strong winds that were whipping around the area. The steps up from the Point are somewhat challenging and you really know how physically demanding they are when you eventually reach Jerbourg Point car park at the top.
Public toilet facilities are somewhat limited on the cliff path route in the winter months but fortunately the Jerbourg facility was open.
The walk around from Jerbourg to La Moye Battery was difficult in the strong winds but once we turned inland towards Petit Port we were able to find some protection and relative calm. Petit Port was magnificent in the winter sunshine with its beautiful sandy beach looking pristine.
On and around to Moulin Huet, and Anne left us at this point having completed a demanding section of the mornings walk on her 71st birthday. Anne had stated prior to the walk commencing that she only wanted to walk that far, and I am more than happy for individuals to do this throughout this weekly challenge – better to walk as far as is comfortable than to not walk at all.
Delga and I carried on towards Saints Bay, but unfortunately Delga started to feel pain in her knee, so we came off the cliff path and back up into the Les Douvres Hotel area of St Martin’s, eventually getting back to my home and then on to St Peter Port by car.
Fortunately Delga’s injury became a lot easier whilst walking on the flat surface of a road but it does highlight just how difficult it can be at times walking on the cliff path routes with their loose pieces of granite and very uneven surfaces. The cliff paths also get somewhat wet, muddy and slippy at this time of year and walkers do need to be mindful of the conditions
Many thanks to Visit Guernsey for the photograph of Saints Bay Moorings.
Posted in Guernsey, Walking
Tagged Autism Guernsey, Autism365, Challenge 365, Charity walk, Cliff paths, Donate, Guernsey, Island, Kiosk, sea
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Practisin’ my bloggin’ – haven’t done it before!
Not sure how this will look! My hubby has already got going with his walk challenge for Autism 365. He is going to walk every Wednesday morning – hopefully with donating companions! – and he intends to walk around the island completely 12 times in the next 12 months. He is breaking it up so: section 1 – Town to Icrt Point; Section 2 – Icart Point to Pleinmont; Section 3 – Pleinmont to L’Ancresse, and Section 34 – L’Ancresse to Town.
We have not started on the STEPS365 yet – that is to clear and clean 365 steps around the Moulin Huet/Saints Bay area, to help keep them safe, and as a service to our parish, St. Martin’s.
Here is a pic from Fermain Bay on his first walk – thanks to Guernsey Press for the pic and covering article.
Here are the logos of Autism Guernsey and Autism365 – please look out for them and donate!
For more info visit http://www.autismguernsey.org.gg/ or http://www.autism365.org.gg/
Posted in Guernsey, Walking
Tagged Autism Guernsey, Autism365, Challenge 365, Charity walk, Cliff paths, Donate, Guernsey, Island
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STEPS 365 