Emma's notables from Guernsey:
- It was quite an early start as I was determined to visit Herm before having to leave the Channel Islands to head to France.
- I made the Herm ferry having had to deal with the logistics of dropping my bike and luggage at the port. I had - of course - already had to check out of my B&B so had my entire (meagre) worldly possessions with me. I would have taken them, but not even bikes are allowed on the island.
- I really liked Herm. It's very unspoiled and peaceful. Well, it's those things if you can get ahead of the tourist pack that have just decanted! Middle-class English seems to be the the Island's first language.
- In the two hours available to me I managed to walk the whole circumference of Herm, so feel I gave it a good go.
- The ferry back from Guernsey to France had to leave early to avoid the worst of some stormy conditions at sea. I don't get seasick but plenty of people on the boat did!
- Back in France I found the truck easily enough, and so came to an end a really enjoyable solo trip.
- The Channel Islands I've so far seen have been extremely civilised, pretty, and incredibly compelling. I'm already working out how to get to Jersey and Alderney.
Steve's notables from France:
- I started the day with a run down the same awesome greenway that I'd biked on yesterday and really enjoyed it. Actually enjoying a run is a bit of a rarity for me, but pleasant weather and rural France make for a very feel-good backdrop.
- Next up was to take on fuel. Not only is fuel hideously expensive right now but also worryingly scarce. Most of the stations I've passed only have unleaded petrol available. I'd sussed out a station with diesel stock yesterday whilst biking, so took advantage of that; albeit at a genuinely painful €2.29/l.
- To make myself feel better I bumbled through some pretty villages and took in a few birding spots I know. I didn't spot anything rare, but I did see a few more little-ringed plover, spoonbills and a handful of greenshank. It did make me feel better, though.
- And so, to a steady commute to St Malo to reconnect with Princess Emma following her solo (and sometimes) weather-defying jaunt to the Channel Islands.
- Pending her arrival, I had a wander round St Malo in the pleasant evening sunshine and quite enjoyed the combination of bird and people watching. Thousands of natives / tourists were out promenading in their finery and doing very French pavement cafe-type things. It all looked very sophisticated and some of the finery appeared to be haute couture. I was very much on the outside looking in.
- There were some cool ships docked around the port with one in particular standing out: a tall ship under a Norwegian flag by the name of Christian Radich. Non of the crew seemed terribly interested in promenading. Baroudeurs and poseurs.
- By 21:30 Emma returned to the Mother Ship in excited-spaniel mode ...
Post composed at 22:30 on Sunday 5th April from our intended (impromptu-at-the-port) overnighting spot N 48.64186°, W 02.02179° / http://maps.google.com/maps?q=loc:48.64186%2C-02.02179