2019 Walking Trip: The Channel Islands and Scotland: May 22 - Walking the north side of the island of Sark

He said:
Beautiful day out, we took lots of photos...
Happy Birthday mom!

She Said:
Since we’ve walked the southern potion of Sark (to Little Sark), today we headed to the northern-most point and to the east side and west side of the island.

Continuing out to the northern point -
The path was a bit treacherous in places - rocky, and near the edge.
But, we slowly pressed on and were rewarded with magnificent views.
Also stopped at the Buddhist Carving, a large rock beautifully inscribed with something profound but of course, we couldn’t read it, so... whatever. Still looked good.

We ate our packed lunch at the Half Tower, a lookout for someone, for sure, as it had a commanding view towards France.

Back from the point and inland.
We came upon a field of cows, all lying down on their sides. At first, I thought maybe they were full of milk or just lazy.
When we looked closer we realized they were all very pregnant and fairly ready to pop. They were so round!
No wonder they were lying down - it must be so uncomfortable for them to carry that load.

Onward, and past a farmyard with some turkeys making lots of noise.
Two females (walking away).
Two males (puffed up huge, full feathers out, competing and following the females).
One lonely juvenile male (no big feathers yet, and a squawking call, no big gobbles yet, trailing behind).
Comical to watch.

The path out to the point gives a good view of Brecqhou, the Barclay’s private island. (Barclay’s Bank guys.)

They have built a castle on their island.

They have billions of dollars but seem to want more. They have screwed with the livelihoods of the people of Sark (their nearest neighbors) in an effort to get their own way in legal and financial matters.

Their island is part of the Sark system, so subject to Sark laws, courts, etc.

They bought up several businesses and closed them, mostly to make the point that they could.

They laid off most of the islanders that worked for them, right before Christmas.

They offered to sell businesses back but also wanted a £50,000 “reopening” fee.

We were talking with a young woman who runs a horse and carriage (while her fare was off walking around the cliff path) and she said it seems as though the Barclay’s don’t know how to live in a world that doesn’t involve making lots of money.

The bad feelings towards the Barclay’s run deep in Sark.

(She also had the best horse - Alfie - a big, white Welsh cob, very Clydesdale-looking. Really friendly and plenty of personality.)

Then, after heading back inland we find a duck pond, a mother and 6 ducklings.
Also comical to watch.

Out at another point, the Pilcher Monument. I thought it was going to be in honor of some great explorers.
Instead, it is a memorial to 5 men who set sail from the bay below and were lost at sea.
Pilcher was one of the men and his widow erected the monument.
Part of the inscription (a psalm):
“Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters and thy footsteps are not known.”
Sheesh.

On the walk back to our hotel, we passed a good couple of scarecrows, a mermaid and a fisherman. They are all done up a little early for the annual Scarecrow Contest that starts next week.
I would love to see that as all homemade family art is usually charming, creative and funny.
Maybe another time.

Tomorrow we will have a rude awakening as we sail to Guernsey, taxi to the airport, fly to Southampton, change planes, fly to Edinburgh, and taxi to our hotel for the night.
After a heavenly three days of no cars, no streetlights, not many people and total peace and quiet, we will be back in the thick of it.

All good things must come to an end.

Total Mileage:
8.1 miles