Westcoast Guernsey

• We have never walked to an island on a causeway that is covered by water except at low tide. Lihou Island on the west coast of Guernsey provided us with such a possibility. On the last day for a daylight crossing at low tide, we bussed to the west coast for a look-see. The weather? Strong winds and intermittent showers. Arriving at the causeway “ready, willing and able”, this is the scene that confronted us:
  

  

  In the distance, we could see two men, standing short of the last leg of the causeway, not going anywhere. A tractor was also busy on the island doing something to the causeway. With the persistent showers, keeping our daypacks dry required novel solutions.
  
  Despite the blustery winds and the pummeling rain, we ventured down the ramp ...
  

  

  until the causeway vanished under a wet, slippery mass of kelp, going nowhere itself as the tide receded:
  

  

  Not caring to tramp through this squishy mess and tiring of being buffeted, we retreated. Our first causeway crossing still lies ahead.
  
  This side of Guernsey certainly has other attractions, though this wasn’t an ideal day to experience them. For example, overlooking the causeway was this ominous tower built during WWII:
  

  

  Called an “observation tower”, undoubtedly, it was defensive as well. The Germans were fully prepared for an Allied invasion by sea to take back the island.
  
  We found another prehistoric passage grave site nearby:
  

  

  Good thing it was “Open House” day as no descriptive sign could be found.
  

  

  
  And that was the extent of our explorations of the west coast of Guernsey. Truth be told, that side offers attractive beaches, hiking paths and sunset views, which draw crowds in fine weather.