The Jersey Coastal Path - June 17th-20th 2019



Michelle Harrison, Paul Harrison, Sean Bond, Alison Bond, Ann Baxter, Netty Salt, Susan Lewis, Rich Salt Sarah Gilson, Jon Gilson
Terry Jones, Sandra Brooks, Ken Hodgkinson, Mike Riley, Janine Day, Dave Swarbrook, Jason Day, Jim Eason, Mark Jones

Route Map. 48.4 miles over 4 days. Start and finish in St Helier.



DAY 1 - St Helier to Bouley Bay (14.5 miles) - Yellow Section on Map

Those of us who'd walked the Jersey coastline in 2016 had thoroughly enjoyed the week so after only a three year gap we were back. In a weak attempt to make the walk feel 'different' we decided to take on the route in the anti-clockwise direction which would result in us completing the longest, and what was seen as being the dullest section of the walk, on the first day.

Nineteen walkers were ready to take on the challenge.

Jason and Janine were finally in Jersey after accidentally turning up for last year's Lake District walk. Sandra was keen to repeat her previous success and only gold on the same walk and Netty was keen to make up for not completing the last time around. The same was true for Dave who'd only managed the first two days of the last attempt. His initial plan was to complete the first two days and make a decision as to whether to complete or not based on his condition.

Terry had been bashing the canals during the weekends to ensure he'd be ready for the walk but had he done enough ascent training?

The grand plan to walk at least once a month had failed miserably so many members of the team weren't at their physical peak compared to previous walks.

Harry and Shelley decided to take on the full week and Susan returned to the fold after missing the last three walks.

Off we went. After surviving the fumes of the tunnel we quickly reached the beach at the south west side of St Helier, La Greve D'Azette. The weather was glorious and we were glad to see that the unsightly power station that marred the final views of the previous Jersey walk wasn't in sight when walking in the anti-clockwise direction.



Alison, Ken and Ann prepare for the day's walk.



The first beach of the walk. So far, better than last time.

A few of the group noticed that Janine was limping and appeared to be slightly bow-legged. Jason was smiling. Jon then reminded us all that today was Janine's birthday so it all made sense.

Anyway, quickly on.

The Black Dog at Bouley Bay, the day's destination, was no more so we had to deal with not having a pub at the day's end. For some this was a minor tragedy but it did mean that there was no point in reaching Bouley Bay too early as there'd be nothing to do when we got there. The result of this was a relaxing pace.

On rounding the corner at St Clement but had no option but to retreat from the increasingly rocky nature of the shoreline to the road but this did provide ample opportunity to gaze at some of the rather splendid properties on show. It wasn't long before we were back on the beach as the tide was in our favour which resulted in more time on the beach than we'd experienced on the first walk.

The views northward now included Gorey and its imposing castle.



Heading back to the beach with Sarah 'Pob face' Gilson.



This is Jimothy. Jimothy likes to wave at castles.

After walking past the golf course we finally reached Gorey where a sneaky ice cream was enjoyed by numerous members of the team.



Approaching Gorey and a chance for an ice-cream.

The section that had been voted the worst of the 2016 walk turned out to be mightily enjoyable this time around thanks to the improved views and less road walking. Next on the target list was the breakwater at St Catherines but only after we'd had lunch.



What could possibly go wrong?

We found a glorious grassy spot on the other side of the castle which had a view over the sea to France.



The Harrisons enjoying a lunch time siesta.

Lunch done so off we went on the route north which was now on a combination of road, pavement and shoreline path. Some of the bays looked almost Mediterranean in the sun but there was no time to explore - we still had a quite a few miles to knock off.



Scenic bay #23 - Anne Port.

We walked past Roger Moore's old house, Moonraker, and eventually reached St Catherines bay and the breakwater where a shop and toilet provided welcome services.



Rich's face makes Ann feel rather uncomfortable about her planned visit to the toilet. Netty, bosting, is troubled by the 'No entry' sign.

After a 10 minute stop it was time to aim for our next point of interest - Rozel. I'd made a navigational cock-up on this section of the walk in 2016 so kept a close high on the map to ensure the same didn't happen again. As it turned out the correct route added a short section of descent and ascent which was an improvement on the road route we'd previously taken.



We're in there somewhere. The correct route to Rozel.

There's a pub at Rozel and there was a brief moment where a visit to the pub was mentioned as this was the last chance to have a beer before the end of the walk. We're too professional for that so on we went. Rozel marks the start of a change of scenery in that the open vistas of the eastern shores are replaced by the tight paths that skirt the cliffs and slopes leading down to the sea.

Time for a bit of up and downy.



Susan looks for gardening advice from a local as the rest of us power up the road from Rozel.

The cliff top path to Bouley Bay bought back memories of the previous walk and everyone enjoyed the twists and turns through deep bracken - or did we?



The cliff top path to Bouley Bay.

Sandra was beginning to feel a pain in one of her knees so would this be an issue for the rest of the walk? Would she be allowed to go on the GALCO if she failed? After all, the GALCO was for completers only with no silvers allowed.

It was around this point in the walk that Harry decided to regale us all with his version of Abba's Voulez Vouz but replaced by Bouley Bay, along with memories of an incident of mine of yesteryear.



Sandra's face says it all.

Bouley Bay was reached with around 30 minutes to go until the coach pickup so teas, coffees and cold drinks were purchased at Mad Mary's cafe.

The evening saw a group of us celebrating Janine's birthday in a posh chippy along with the usual beers, wine and gin.



Ann enjoys a comforting warm bath to end the first day.

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DAY 2 - Bouley Bay to La Greve de Lecq  (11.5 miles) - Blue Section on Map

There were contrasting weather forecasts for today. Alison's BBC forecast was for rain whereas my Met Office forecast reckoned there may be a 20% chance of some rain but it was unlikely. Ken put our fears to rest by informing us that there'd be no rain all week - yes, that's right, all week.

Sandra's knee had decided that it was going to rain so the knee decided to abort the day's walk. Sandra decided to join her knee and also take the day off.

Today was a more hilly day and it was this route that scared Dave off in 2016 as he reckoned it'd be too much for him but could he battle on and complete the walk?

We were dropped off at Bouley Bay in overcast but dry conditions.



The first wait of the day. It's not raining - yet.

After a steep initial climb we enjoyed a relatively flat stretch before descending through the woods to the Wolf's Lair which at sea level meant we'd soon be climbing again.



Mark, Ann, Mike's arms and Jon enjoying a pre-rain moment.



A short rest on the descent to the Wolf's Lair. How clean are Dave's shorts? I think a Bouley Bay may be on the way.

On reaching the Wolf's Lair we came across a large group of older walkers who were also walking the coastal route. None of them were older than Terry and Ken though but we were worried, when on finding they were from Iceland, that they'd rip us up for pace for the remainder of the day and leave us embarrassed. This wasn't going to happen so we took on the next climb with added gusto.

The path then takes an enjoyable line across the steep slopes with great views out to sea.



Team Pighole take an early lead against the Icelandics. Can we keep it up though?

Thanks to taking break on a rocky headland we the Icelandics catch us up. It then started to rain, lightly at first, but it then became necessary to don waterproofs. Bollocks! Ken and his shitty tea leaves had done it again. Netty panicked - she had to protect her beautifully bushy bush against the rain so there was only one thing for it...



It rained for about 90 minutes but the views were still decent despite the clag. Lunch was taken as soon as the rain stopped and a suitable sitting\viewing spot, out of the thick bracken, was found.



Mike and Mark smirk as the shittiness of Dave's arse becomes apparent.

Dave had decided to eat lunch whilst sat on the now very wet ground. This ruined his clean shorts....



Dave enjoying that cool damp feeling.

The rain appeared to have stopped for good and the conditions improved as we headed past the quarry and towards the Devil's Hole. Most, if not all of us, had descended to view the Devil's Hole on the last walk but no one could be arsed this time around. Susan, who hadn't walked in 2016, was in two minds as to whether to make the effort or not but she appeared to make her choice based on everyone else's decision to stay put. Jim, who has a drinking problem, decided to have a pint.



A refreshing pint of....Guinness.

After a short confusing section over a field we rejoined the coastal path where the day's end was teasingly in sight and probably only around 2 miles, or 2 more renditions of Bouley Bay, away. Today would see a choice of two pubs at the walk's end so the pace was a tad more sprightly than the previous day.



Looking down towards the Devil's Hole with the day's destination in the far top right of the photo.

The final descent to Greve de Lecq is on the road which allowed the front runners to get a decent bean on. We decided to go to Le Moulin de Lecq on Jim's recommendation so after checking the pub was open we took a seat and enjoyed a few beers as there was a good couple of hours to fill before the coach took us back to St Helier.

Dave had completed what he thought would be the two hardest days with ease and Terry was showing no detrimental effects of having done very little uphill training.



Dave takes the prime spot in Le Moulin de Lecq.



Rich, Netty, Janine, Ken, Susan, Jason and Sarah enjoying beers, cider and coffee.



Terry had been a good boy so Mark treated him to pop and crisps.

On returning to St Helier we split into multiple teams and ate in various places as the large number of walkers made booking meals somewhat difficult. Tomorrow would see us taking on what many believed to be the most interesting day of the walk. Would Dave pack in now that he'd completed the coastline? Would Sandra make a return to the team?



Flight Captain Kenneth Hodgkinson, and his younger cabin attendant lover Jon Gilson, preparing to fly to Sydney where they first met.

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DAY 3 - La Greve de Lecq to La Pulente  (10.5 miles) - Green Section on Map

Dave was on for a completion and Sandra's knee had decided to go walking. We were back to the full complement.

There may be rain today, there may not. It all depended on what forecast people were using. One thing was certain, it was murky out there. Today was also the day when Macca would be flying over from Liverpool to spend the last 4 nights of the week with us - no walking mind.

We left La Greve de Lecq and began the slow climb to rejoin the cliff path - with the accompanying sound of gun fire.



Running away from the shooters.

It were proper murky, so much so that certain rock formations were only just visible.



Up and down and around and around.

A number of places of interest were seen on the route:



La Tour de Grande Coq.



Impressive cliffs near Plemont.



Susan takes a photo of a giant grey thing - my arse.



Susan's award winning photo - ruined.



Jim takes a photo from within a WWII building.

An enjoyable short walk was all that was left before lunch at Le Grand Etacquerel where the majority of us were planning on enjoying a fresh seafood BBQ. The descent in 2019 was much easier than the ascent we'd endured in hot weather in 2016 but the views were still there to be enjoyed.