CIW8
CI Way- August
Herm
Herm
SATURDAY 4TH AUGUST 2018: My CI Way walk takes a break in July – the Dales High Way interrupts – and I skip a month to August.
It’s just a short trip today to Herm, with my daughter as company, for both walking and a bit of beach activity. The weather is superb as it has been for much of this long, hot summer.
We sit on the top deck of the Travel Trident for the 15 minute boat trip, seeing Guernsey slip into the distance, whilst Herm soon presents itself and we step off onto the harbour quay. It is busy with people, including lots jumping off the sea wall given the high tide, others boating, kayaking and just having fun in the sun.
Most of the day trippers go left but we take a right to start our anti-clockwise tour, passing through the genteel surroundings of the White House, soon approaching Rosaire steps where we divert up on to the South Coast ‘cliffs’.
We emerge to some fine views across to Jethou and back to Guernsey, with a lot of boat activity, including a ‘donutting’ RIB giving out thrills to it’s passengers.
The path continues with a few minor ups & downs, generally offering a very pleasant saunter on a beautiful day. Sark is a hazy, somewhat distant view but I bet this can be a spectacular scene when the sun is setting and the light is fully shining on Sark’s cliffs.
After a mile or so ambling along enjoying the moment we spy the first sight of the beaches around the back of Herm – Belvoir Bay and Shell Beach – the latter our target. Belvoir beach is looking glorious, with white sand and perfect emerald water on the high tide, framed by the rocks and greenery of the bay edge. Tempting, however, we skirt around the edge and move on to Shell beach, itself looking magnificent, a long stretch of white sand stretching away to the North.
The far end is quieter but we opt for the busier Southern end, close to the café and the rental station for kayak and SUP boards as this is our objective. They are busy today - it has been noticeable as we have walked along the beach areas how many kayak and SUP boards are being paddled around, investigating the coastline or cruising between the moored boats. The background sounds of gulls and people, chatting, laughing (or shrieking as they fall off a SUP!) adds a suitable ambience.
We stake out a spot on the sand and snack and chill out for a bit, then off to rent our kayaks. We first paddle out and up to the Northern end of the beach, then return and pass by Belvoir before turning around and come back but following the inshore coastline.
It is a beautiful day, the sun is warm, the sea is calm and the kayak lets you feel connected to the ocean. Love it!.
Reluctantly giving up the kayaking I go for a quick swim – very quick as it is a bit chilly! – then dry out in the sun.
After a while we need to move on to complete our circumference circuit before catching the boat home. The remainder of the route is low level common up to the deserted North coast, with the grass and spongy heather so dry it virtually crackles when you stand on it.
We make our way back around to the harbour, by this time dry, so stroll on to Rosaire Steps to await the return boat. On this trip we stand at the stern so can watch Herm and Jethou slowly get left behind as we motor back to Guernsey.
Not a significant walk in distance today, however, a thoroughly enjoyable day and one that makes you appreciate how lucky we are to live in the beautiful Channel Islands.
Herm may be small but it certainly plays it’s part in making the CI Way an exceptional experience.
Stats: 4 miles. Out on the 11:15 boat, return 16:35 boat
