The irony of this first Channel Islands holiday is that having planned to travel to Guernsey by ferry for environmental reasons, more than half of us had no option in the end but to fly there!

Our fast Weymouth ferry was cancelled due to bad weather, and only 4 women were able to get to the replacement slow Portsmouth ferry.

Some arrived on early flights and had time to take the bus into St Peter Port for a bit of an explore. Others arrived over the day - including the ferry women - who had had a very manageable crossing in the end.

The Saints Bay Hotel was very comfortable - with nice rooms, and a snug bar where we all congregated for a drink.

Several women had not been on a WW holiday before, and were warmly welcomed by those who had.

We then had a lovely meal in the dining room, the tables having considerately been put together in a square so that we could chat to each other easily.

The last woman arrived from the airport as we sat down to eat.

Most of us headed to bed pretty early afterwards - just really glad to be there after all the last minute travel changes! The storm blew itself out as we slept.

We woke to a dry morning, and the wind had decreased considerably. It was overcast as we set out, but we soon found ourselves walking in spring sunshine.

Today's walk was along the coast path eastwards towards Jerbourg Point, with what remained of the wind behind us.

We found the coast path bordered by spring flowers - violets, primroses, campion, wild garlic, and even forget-me-nots in sheltered spots.

The blackthorn and gorse was also coming into flower.

From Icart point where the Saints Bay Hotel is located, we walked along the coast path overlooking Saints Bay, then around the next little headland to Moulin Huet.

We stopped for a mid-morning break at a good view with two long benches - perfect!

Moving on, we followed the path above Petit Port Bay and out onto Jerbourg Point.

Here we regained civilisation, and found a little kiosk open where we stopped for a very nice cup of tea.

The visibility was very good. We could see Herm and Sark nearby, Jersey to the south, and even Cap du Hague on the coast of Normandy in the distance.

Time for lunch - and so we descended many steps to find a sheltered spot just above the sea.

We watched a couple of shags diving just off from where we were sitting.

We now followed a very pretty and more sheltered section heading north towards Fermain Bay.

In places the vegetation formed arbours that we walked through.

At Fermain Bay we headed up again onto the plateau, following small lanes the picturesque old houses of Calais.

We stopped to photograph Le Vallon - an old house with a stunning facade of black granite chips embedded into mortar.

From here we took an ancient waterlane back to the tea room at Moulin Huet.

Cake or hot bread and butter pudding was shared, with daffodils on the tables and a view of the sea. A lovely tea room.

Another water lane and other small lanes brought us back to the hotel. A very satisfactory first day - and a good length in the end for a first day.

(Thank you for everyone's photos when I accidently erased mine in the bar later!)

After dinner, we sat around chatting for a while, but most of the group were tired - or had gripping books to read in bed!

When today was not as fine as forecast in the morning, we headed for the north of the island by public bus - to explore the lower level coast path around Valle.

Our first stop was the Dehus Dolmen - a superb neolithic dolmen with a corridor and 3 smaller chambers as well as a large burial chamber.

The Dolmen was open - we just had to "please switch the light off" as we left. In we all stooped, until we reached the main chamber where we could stand up fully.

On one of the capstones overhead there was a neolithic carving of a face - 'The guardian of the tomb'.

As we emerged it started to drizzle, so we donned waterproof trousers, and trooped down to the coast.

On the way we passed several buildings where forced labourers from Russia and Poland lived during the war - ironically called 'Paradis'.

We reached the coast at Fort Doyle, a fort built during the Napoleonic era that the Germans had then repaired for their own use. WW2 has left lots of relics on the Channel Islands.

Our route today was to take us around the coast to Valle Church.

The sea was crashing onto the rocks, and when we stopped in a sheltered spot for a break and wave watching, the sun came out.

This was a very different section of coast from our first day. No cliffs, but lots of rocks out to sea, and sandy bays in between.

On we walked, passing a landfill where hundreds of seagulls massed waiting to help recycle the next delivery!

On each point there was often a Martello-like tower built against Napoleon.

Finally we reached the kiosk at Valle where we stopped for lunch, then visited Valle parish church nearby, with its fallen standing stone just outside.

We stuck our head into the public hide overlooking Valle Pond nature reserve...

Then everyone was keen to see the Freesia Centre just inland. Imagine walking through a greenhouse full of freesias in flower! The smell was just heaven.

Some women bought a bunch of freesias to take home; others settled for corms to plant later.

Finally we stopped for tea nearby, then caught the bus home - seeing more of the island on the way....

Dinner was another delicious meal with several courses - including a choice of fresh island mackerel, asparagus risotto, venison sausage....

After dinner we played a raucous game of 'In the manner of the word' intil relatively late.

A fine day had been promised, and after the initial mist cleared shortly after breakfast, a fine day we had!

Today was to be our biggest day, and we were headed west along the coast path - aiming to go as far as we felt like.

The views and flowers were stunning, the waves crashed below us, while a sea mist hid the horizon.

We soon found ourselves descending to Petit Bot beach - where a couple of us had to have a brief paddle.

Moving on, we ascended around the next headland, pausing for breath wherever necessary.

At Le Goufre we descended again, then headed inland to where we hoped the tea room would be open - but unfortunately it wasn't!

A short break in a sunny spot followed, then we continued to La Corbiere - a promontary with stunning views back to Icart Point, and on towards Torteval at the western end of the island.

Here we found an idylic grassy spot out of the wind for lunch - and a snooze for some!

We stayed there a while before completing the last stretch above Les Ecrilleurs and Le Creux Hahie bays - with rather a lot of up and down on the coast path steps!

Turning inland, we shortly reached Torteval Stores where ice creams (and all other manner of goodies) were available while we waited for our minibus pickup.

Back at the hotel, Lou had promised to give us a Chi Kung session out by the pool, which was great for our flagging energy and tired muscles.

We had a misty morning for our trip to Sark, but it stayed dry thankfully and the sun came out later.

After breakfast we took the local bus down to the Sark Ferry in St Peter Port - with time for a cuppa before we boarded.

The ferry journey took us past Herm which we will visit tomorrow, and across the water to Sark's slightly forbidding cliffs.

From the ferry you can take the tractor-drawn 'toast rack' up into the main village, however we set off on foot - of course.

Sark is a fascinating island, still feudal - though in a process of democratisation currently, with no cars or motorbikes - just bicycles, horse drawn carts, and tractors.

Our route took us across the fields and along paths through the gorse.

We walked out onto a promontary for the views, then stopped in the grounds of the (closed) Dixcart Hotel for a snack.

From here we continued to La Coupee, where a narrow strip of land is all that connects Sark to Little Sark.

After taking photos, we retraced our steps to the Chocolaterie which was open for chocolate sales, but not for hot drinks, alas.

We continued on, detouring to the Monument overlooking Brecqhou - an off-lying island, now owned by the Barclay Brothers (who own the Daily Telegraph).

The sun came out as we got there and it made a superb spot for lunch.

We walked inland from here, passing the duck pond, and reaching the islands only village.

We turned here towards the Seigneurie with its beautiful formal gardens, stopping at the church, then the village hall for a hot drink on the way.

The gardens did not disappoint, and the Seigneurie itself was also a very lovely old stone building.

From here we had time to walk down the main street and take a last stretch of coast path back to the ferry.

As we steamed away from the island the mist descended, hiding Sark completely.

The fog horn at the entrance to St Peter Port was sounding as we reached Guernsey and took our bus back to the hotel.

This morning we woke to blue sky and sunshine - and it was to last all day!

After packing our bags and leaving them to be picked up by taxi later in the day, we caught the bus down to the ferry port again.

Judith was going to do her own thing today, then fly home tomorrow. We said farewell to her in style!

For our last day we were headed for Herm - smaller than Sark, and nearer to Guernsey. Judith waved to us from the harbour wall.

The short ferry trip was a joy - with sun on the water, passing between small islands and rocks on our way to Herm.

We landed and set off around the lower end of the island, some of us descending to the first beach we reached to walk on the sand.

At the far end of the island Lou spotted some shell ducks, and at times we could hear oystercatchers further out on the rocks.

We reached Shell Beach on the far side of the island - which was a delight.

Shell sand stretched away, and the sea was so blue. Across the water we could see Sark.

At one end of the beach the little kiosk was open, and we bought homemade Herm ice cream and decided to stay a while.

Sun umbrella and deck chairs were duely hired, and while some of us read or dozed, Christine made sand castles.....

It was great to have a lazy day doing very little before the end of the holiday.

Later we packed up and walked on, crossing the island past the Manor village, and visiting the small 10th century church of St Tugual.

Back at the little port there was time for a drink and some cake before we returned to Guernsey.

In St Peter Port we had 2.5 hours till we were due to check-in for our evening fast ferry.

We did a little shopping before closing time, had a drink at the Boathouse by the harbour, then decided to eat dinner there as well with a delightful view out over the harbour.

Our trip back to Weymouth was uneventful. The ferry arrived on time, and we had a smooth crossing.

Our hotel for the night in Weymouth was the Hotel Rex on the Esplanade - very close to the ferry. Here we were welcomed on the doorstep and were soon settled into our rooms and our beds!

Last day, and we woke to pure sunshine - there was not a cloud in the sky. Deckchairs were being put out ready on the Esplanade in the early morning.

Some of the group had to leave in the morning, and after breakfast they accompanied us on a stroll down the Esplanade before heading to their trains.

The rest of us continued down the Esplanade, then walked back along the beach.

Other folk were doing the same thing or walking their dogs on the hard sand near the water.

It was now time for the bus to Portland, which we caught at the old Town Bridge, getting off at Eastern for a walk on Portland Bill.

We headed for the coastal path where we were greeted by striking views of cliffs and great blocks of Portland stone.

On the heathland the larks were singing.

We also saw swallows, and sparrow hawks hovering...

Our walk took us around Portland Bill - different again from our Channel Islands walks.

We walked past the light house and coastguard station, and at one point we walked through a disused quarry...

The bus then took us back to Weymouth in time for a relaxed drink in the sun beside the Town Quay.

As we walked to the hotel in time for our taxi to the station, the Town Bridge lifted to let boats in and out without lowering their masts.

It had been a very leisurely way to finish the holiday - and in what lovely spring weather!