These summer evenings just have to be enjoyed.  Wednesdays, I’ve decided, are for getting out and seeing funny old corners of the Island despite the fact that I’m running like a real old git.  This evening it was back to St Ouen, parking at the Parish Hall and heading for Greve de Lecq Woods.  You find the track off Rue du Creux Baillot though it’s not signposted.  It’s a rough old trail, heading gradually downhill between cultivated fields but…the entrance to the woods seems to have disappeared.  I plod onwards, having to reverse out of an overgrown track and try my luck down the side of a field.  I expect any moment to be peppered with buckshot by an enraged farmer.  But I pick up the trail again and I’m into the woods – pretty much deserted.  It’s a classic little trail through the woods with a number of options.  I find myself above the Moulin de Lecq pub, children playing noisily in the playground.  Opposite there the Stable Bar (so named after the stables used temps passe by the soldiers in the nearby barracks) has sadly been converted into apartments.  Emerging onto the Mont de la Greve de Lecq lightly sweating the hard work starts. As I make my way back towards the village I stop briefly to examine the excellent lavoir above which I note that Connetable Hacquoil had succeeded Connetable d’Auvergne by 1915.  I’m running steadily and I’m disappointed really to reach the top of the hill.  There on a wall is an old 1940s-type metal advertisement ‘Joseph Thorley, Dairy Meal, Kings Cross, London.’  And hey, cool!  Here’s a link that says, on page 579, that this bloke traded in Hull until 1857 when he moved to London.  Curious how this bit of the past has remained in place to this day.*

Back along behind the village to the car.  Only 36 minutes but a lot packed in.  I love running.

*Edit March 2016 – I now read that this sign was placed on the wall as an ‘adornememt’ in the 1980s.