Portelet Common and Noirmont Point, Jersey

Jersey is known is for its beautiful beaches but it also has countryside that is equally stunning. One very grey and overcast day last week Youngest and I decided to head to Portelet Common and Noirmont Point for a walk. Now it is a bit off the beaten track and there are no signs for it but it is well worth finding.

What does Portelet Common and Noirmont Point have?

• Free car park

• Pubs and cafes nearby

• Plenty of walks

• Friendly horses and pigs!

• Stunning views.

On arriving we had only been out of the car 5 minutes when Youngest announced that she needed a wee. Why does that always happen? Luckily, I had the potty in the car and the potential toilet disaster was quickly averted. We then went exploring the common. We passed some horses and Youngest wouldn’t let us pass them without saying hello. We then met some friendly dogs and Youngest was very excited when she was allowed to stroke them. There are many paths through the common and it is safe for children to run about. Although if you head towards the cliffs you will want to hold tightly onto little hands. Youngest loved exploring.

We spent our time looking for the moles that had made rather alot of hills. This heathland was a significant hunting site for our Paleolithic and Neolithic ancestors, there is no hunting on it today just lots of walkers enjoying the views. On the common there is a small building at the end of the headland. This once originally constructed as a defensive magazine and battery in 1795.

It is such a pretty place to go exploring and I love the yellow gorse that covers the heathland. Although Youngest learnt very quickly not to touch the flowers as they are very prickly! The day we went it was wonderfully atmospheric with the swirling grey sky. On the common the remains of Neanderthal man, Woolly Mammoth and Rhinoceros have been found. It is a place rich in history.

Youngest had fun hiding among the gorse and jumping out on me. When she wasn’t scaring me we were looking for wildlife. You can find  Dartford Warbler, Linnets and sometimes the occasional Stonechat. You can often spot Kestrels too. We were not proving very lucky in finding any wildlife so we decided to head towards the cliffs where there are some benches offering great views.

Now that is a view! I wasn’t able to relax too much because I was holding onto Youngest tightly. Down there is Portelet Bay. There is also a lovely cafe situated right on the beach which offers amazing views and some rather tasty grub. If you look carefuly on the cliff face you might spot Shags, Oyster Catchers and Rock Pipits. With the sky getting greyer and the wind picking up we managed to peel ourselves from the rather stunning view. We headed back through the gorse.

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Despite it being a very grey day the stunning scenery was still breathtaking. The sea of yellow was a lovely contrast against the very drab sky.

It also matched Youngest’s coat rather well. This made our walk seem like one of those puzzle pictures at times. Spot the Youngest. Portelet Common has been tenanted for hundreds of years. The tenants would graze their sheep, goats and horses. Today the tenents don’t exercise their right to graze their animals on the common.

With rain starting to come down we took one more look at the sea of yellow before hurrying back to our car.

What adventures have you been upto this week?

Before I finish this post I have a massive favour to ask. I had rather lovely and very unexpected news yesterday. I have been shortlised for the Bibs (brilliance in blogging awards) 2016 in the Fresh Voice category. Completely gobmacked and over the moon doesn’t even come close. I would love it if you would take one minute to vote for me again so I get to the finals. You can do that by clicking on the link >>>  here 

Thank you so much xx