Been away on holiday to Guernsey in the Channel Islands for 10 days and normally on return forget some of the things we did, or places we visited. So this time I made some brief notes and took a few pictures in an effort to help remember a good time away.
Mon 8-Aug:
Arrived early afternoon. After booking into the
Blue Horizon hotel, took a short cliff path stroll to Moulin Huet bay & tea for 2, + scone & jam.
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| Moulin Huet bay |
Walked back to BH via the water lanes. Weather very blowy from North West, sea was quite active, but fine afternoon.
Tues 9-Aug:
Set out early – walk via the waterlanes and cliff path to Saints Bay. Stopped off enroute at Bon Port Hotel for morning coffee. Weather – bright, sunny and hot in sheltered spots – especially in Saints Bay.
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| Saints Bay |
Briefly paddled, water temperature ‘fresh’! Both caught the sun, pink in places. Enjoyed first Guernsey ice-cream. Drove to St. Peter Port after dinner; strolled around harbour and Castle Cornet. Watched ferry arrive from Jersey.
Weds 10-Aug:
Drove to Port Soif Bay. Walked around Port Soif nature trail.
Coffees at the Port Soif kiosk. Walked across the bay, tide was out. Continued around Le Port Aux Malades & back to the car.
Drove on to L’Ancresse Bay; observed Pembroke Bay (sheltered from the strong N.West wind, but was very busy with families.
Returned to Le Grand Havre, Rousse headland and kiosk. Had lunch & read on beach. Moved on mid afternoon to Icart Point; pot of tea and cake, noting the increased small seating areas that have appeared since our last visit 2 years previously.
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| Icart Point kiosk gardens |
Weather was very blowy, but clear and sunny. Drove past Sunnydene Hotel (where we took our honeymoon and another holiday years ago), on return to the Blue Horizon.
Thurs 11-Aug:
Visited Candie Gardens & museum during the morning. Enjoyed morning coffee/tea in the museum café. Walked around St Peter Port town centre, browsed some shops & had lunch at Creaseys store.
Visited Castle Cornet for most of the afternoon; v.good historical display of the Castle’s past. Also very good maritime museum with many ship models and paraphernalia. Took tea in C. Cornet café.
Weather – strong and cool NW wind with some sea mist. Fog horns sounding! Food at the Blue Horizon hotel continues good quality & varied choices – both probably putting on weight.
Fri 12-Aug:
Awoke to a damp & misty day. Overcast grey skies. Drove to St. Peter Port & the library. Lynne looking at local history resources; Nigel attempts restart reading of Mary Moody’s “Au Revoir” whilst battling with falling eye lids!
Coffees at Candie Gardens Museum Café.
Visited Saumarez Manor & Sculpture trail.
Returned to Blue Horizon hotel, walked to Calais area & down various cliff paths to Bec du Nez moorings – some new locations we’d not seen before.
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| Bec Du Nez |
Sat 13-Aug:
Went to Le Friquet centre; undercover garden & home store. Morning coffee consumed. Damp and drizzle today (had been raining hard in the early morning).
Moved on to N.East; Bordeaux Harbour area. Walked to Vale Castle – took in the views; very clear skies to Herm, Jethou and Sark. Alderney clearly visible as was the French coastline.
Walked back across Bordeaux Harbour; low tide. Climbed various rocks and had lunch sat within them. Drove and parked at St. Sampson Harbour; took afternoon tea. Drove to St Peter Port to watch the boats; started to rain heavily so quit for the day – back to Blue Horizon.
Sun 14-Aug:
Slow start to the day today.
Very cloudy first thing with strong, cool westerly breeze.
Decided on coastal walk to Fermain Bay via Jerbourg point. Dropped in to the Jerbourg Hotel for morning coffee.
Continued after, taking in Divette (small bay / inlet exposed at low tide, close to Marble Bay).
Decided to take the lower sea (rock) way to Marble Bay – closest we’re likely to experience ‘coasteering’. Tricky descent from rocks to Marble Bay. Explored some of both hidden caves as tide was out.
Followed cliff path to Fermain Bay. Sun now out, mainly blue skies – excellent visibility to Herm and Sark.
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| Fermain Bay |
Leisurely afternoon, reading, snoozing; bite to eat and tea for 2.
Fairly easy walk back to Blue Horizon via cliff path and Calais area.
After evening dinner, drove to Portelet Harbour & Bay, and Pleinmont Tower; watching and taking pictures of setting sun over the sea.
Mon 15-Aug:
Drove to and parked at Icart Point.
Walked via cliff path to Petit Bot Bay – quite challenging with steep steps, both up & down en-route.
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| Cliff path steps - steep! |
Tide on way out reveals ladder at Le Jaonnet Bay – Lynne declines the opportunity to explore!
If you look closely, you can follow the steps down and find the ladder to the beach:
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| Jaonet Bay with steps and ladder to beach | |
Enjoyed morning coffee at café at Petit Bot. Settled down to reading on beech; accused of being bored as I apparently and routinely interrupt Lynne’s reading. Mild hysterical laughter breaks out as I realise the impact that my inactivity can have!
Walked back to Icart Point for lunch and spent some time in the Kiosk gardens; reading/dozing. Took afternoon tea for 2 then returned to Blue Horizon late afternoon. Weather improved as day passed; warm, sunny, very pleasant temperature.
Tues 16-Aug:
Cloudy start to the day.
Decided to visit Saumarez Park and took detour via St. Saviours Reservoir. Walked across the top of the dam; good views and fairly high up!
Arrived at Saumarez Park, plenty of families and children. Took evasive action! and got coffees!
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| Saumarez Park Kitchen Garden |
Drove on to Moulin Huet for cream tea and pot of tea for 2. Stayed at Moulin Huet for most of the afternoon. Reading, snoozing and some exploration of rocks and caves as tide was fully out.
Weds 17-Aug:
Slightly overcast start to the day. Decided on a coastal walk – strangely avoiding the West Show!
Drove to St Peter Port; parked at Havelet Bay. Two large cruise ships anchored off shore – disgorging day trippers – probably visiting the usual island haunts. Walked up to Fort George, round Soldiers Bay. Descend Ozanne Steps, then on to Fermain Bay for late morning coffee.
Stayed at the beach for a while, reading and snoozing. Had small lunch at Fermain Bay; met up with fellow guests from Blue Horizon.
Walked back along the cliff path to the car at St Peter Port. Easterly winds now picking up. Watched largest of the cruise ships leave its anchorage. Returned to Blue Horizon to enjoy our last evening and a final cliff path walk to Moulin Huet before we leave; homeward bound tomorrow ..
