CIW10

CI Way- October
Jersey (walk 3)

MONDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2018: I am in Jersey for work and am taking the opportunity to complete the last leg of the Jersey walk, indeed the last part of the CI Way away from my Guernsey home. With great fortune the weather is marvellous – a still warm 14 degrees high, mostly fine and sunny, a beautiful Autumn day.

I reach Bouley Bay to pick up where I left off in June and set off uphill, making my way through the tree line out on to the more open cliff path and the joy of the open views, in both directions. The tide is high so the waves are noisily breaking on the beach, the northerly wind fresher at this time of the morning is a little bracing. All gives a fine feeling to be back out on the cliffs, at one with nature.

That Autumn feel is enhanced by the colours, the spiky horse chestnut husks and the fallen leaves, crackling as I kick through them – why is that so satisfying? Everything feels good.

I have a mooch around inside L’Etacquerel Fort, perched on the cliff edge, a short diversion from the main path, this a defensive battery built in the 1830’s, now seemingly used for occasional functions.

After nearly an hour and a couple of miles or so, taken at an ambling pace, I reach the end of the cliffs and the zig-zag path, this completing the North Coast of Jersey. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I have a short spell walking on inland path and road until I re-join the coast above Rozel, one of a number of small, picturesque harbours along the East coast. Similar follows, with the trail having a bit of up and down until I reach the next main bay, St Catherine’s with its imposing breakwater. I stop here for an ice cream, the warm sun justifying such a treat (as long as sheltered from the cooling breeze).

From here the route tends to hug the coastline, but always offering good variety of terrain and interest. Above the touristy Gorey harbour, the stand out Mont Orgueil castle dominates – probably well worth a visit given more time – but today I let that slip into the rear as the golf course ends the East coast trail.

Along this coast I have seen a number of round towers, including at Fliquet and Archirondel, these part of the defences ordered built by General Seymour Conway, Governor of Jersey around 1780. The French did invade the Island in 1781 but were forced out in what has become known as the “Battle of Jersey”.

The towers are distinct from the similar Guernsey loophole towers in that they have 3 or 4 little projections (like balconies) at the top, apparently firing positions. Of 34 originally built, there are 24 remaining surrounding the Island, with many to be seen on the area of my walk today.

I turn along the South Coast to complete the loop. Much of this area is built up so the path is limited and road walking is required but after a while this can be avoided by walking on the beach. The tide is now well out leaving sandy beaches as a pleasant means of getting about and plenty of people are out walking, often with dogs or children in tow.

A fascinating stat given the large tidal range in the Channel Islands – at certain low tides the land area of Jersey doubles in size! This area in particular just grows!. Offshore I can see Seymour castle, this another defensive fort (although square in shape, not round). It is about 2 miles out and can be reached on foot at Spring low tide.

I have walked a fair distance now and am feeling it in the legs, so I stroll along the fine beaches slowly, just taking in the day. I have really enjoyed this, perhaps more than I expected to. There has been real variety –from the wilder North Coast cliffs, to the fine East Coast inlets, bays & quaint harbours, dotted with forts, round to the open sandy beaches of the South Coast, which will eventually lead back to the Town. Add in the superb walking weather and you have a winner.

I reach the end of the sands and revert to road as I pass Havre de Pas bathing pools and then the Energy from Waste plant, which I strangely find quite architecturally pleasing for such a structure (for reasons I can’t pin down). After this I have a final mile or so until I approach the busy St Helier harbour, concluding my walk at Liberation Square. Jersey…done!

Stats: 18 miles, 5hr 58mins moving, 7hr 3 mins total, Average moving 3 mph, 2024 ft Ascent