
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.
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
The colours of youngest’s clothes against the gorse is really lovely, I’ve never been to Jersey and would love to visit one day. #countrykids
Thank you 🙂 It is a lovely island and well worth a holiday on although I am biased x
I’ve already voted for you!
Loooove the photos in this post! The yellow gorse,yellow coat and ominous skies! Are you a keen photographer? What camera did you use? (I love my Canon 6d).
The walk looks idyllic, especially with all the wildlife.
I wish I had studied my I-spy books a bit better when I was little…I can only identify a robin, a blue tit and a sparrow amongst the little birds. Funny how I know most makes and models of car though! (such a tomboy)
Yaaay, thank you so much for your vote!! I really appreciate it.
I do love taking photos and trying to improve my photography and I have an old Canon but I find for day to day photos when out and about the iPhone is just as good and this is what I took the photos on. I tweaked some of them using an app but most of them are as they appear in the post. I think I am just lucky in that it is easy to take nice photos when you live somewhere very pretty.
We also have those I-spy books and use them everytime we go out 🙂
What a gorgeous place for a walk. I loved that top photo when I saw it Instagram earlier this week – the sky is just so dramatic and the yellow flowers and your daughter’s yellow coat really pop out. Those views are stunning too 🙂
Thank you. I actually think portelet common looks better on those grey days rather than a sunny day as the grey sky is such a nice contrast against the yellow gorse. It also makes it feel very atmospheric x
Gorgeous landscape and well worth finding. those pathways look well trodden or maintained by someone. The yellow gorse and bright coat make for such pretty pictures not to mention that stunning view from the cliff edge. One day I will have to visit your beautiful island. Massive congratulations on your BIBs nomination, I was so hoping you would be in the list. Are you going to BM? I’d love to meet you. Thank you for sharing another piece of your paradise with me on #CountryKids
Yes I am hoping to get BM I just need to get my ticket sorted asap. It would be so lovely to meet you! x
That view is stunning and the gorse is just lovely, your daughter was very well coordinated. Good luck with the BIBs #CountryKids
Haha, yes she ws very well co-ordinated by sheer fluke. Thanks for your comment 🙂 x
Beautiful photos, the first one of youngest from the back is especially so.
Thank you. I think it was the perfect day for visiting the common as the yellow was such a lovely contrast against the very grey sky and as result I managed to get some lovely photos! 🙂
Oh my! The photos in this post are stunning. I love all the yellow pretties in it. We never been to Jersey and I most definitely up to visit one day. 🙂 #countrykids
Thank you! It is a lovely island to visit for a holiday 🙂
Gorgeous photos! Those yellow flowers are stunning!
Thank you x
What a lovely place to visit. Though I sure wouldn’t want to get prickled by that gorse either. #countrykids
No, that gorse might look pretty but it is very prickly!
Congratulations on the Bib nomination. I love getting lost in your blog, the scenery of Jersey is just amazing. As much as I like my home, Northampton just isn’t the same! Portelet Common looks stunning, you’re very lucky to have places like that around you 🙂
Oh thank you lovely. We are very blessed to live in such a stunning part of the world!
I love how her yellow coat matches the yellow flowers so perfectly. Jersey looks stunning, each week I see your photos and just want to be there!! #PointShoot x
Thank you! That was a complete fluke too with the yellow coat 🙂 x
Beautiful photos as always! I would love to visit Jersey, you make it look wonderful in all weathers 🙂
Thanks for linking up with Point + Shoot x
Thank you xx
Thank you 🙂 x
Love the stormy grey skies against the bright yellow of the gorse and little ones coat. beautiful pics
#pointshoot
What an amazing view! I would have been quite nervous close to the edge with my two.
I love the pictures of your daughter in that yellow coat next to the yellow of the gorse bushes – absolutely beautiful!
#countrykids
thank you xx