"Point de vue" translated from French means Perspective or Point of View (as in a Vista or a Look Off.) And the story behind today's Point de Vue includes not only a Zany Cast of Charactets, but Walks and Hikes and Climbs that lead to Lookoffs and somewhere along the way, the makings of an Adventure.

The VHF radio cackled to life in the early hours of morning, "Banyan, Banyan... Amoray." And after we picked up, Dalynn Sing-Songed in her cheerful happy voice, "Are you ready for this morning's walk?"

Dave and I looked at each other for a moment, with a smile and a groan. The idea of fitness is always wonderful to imagine as you visualize the places you will get to along the way. The reality of it moans and groans along with very sweaty and then very sore and achy body parts.

"Not a hike, not a climb, no hills, no UP?" moaned Dave, a little hopefully, "Not even anything Long in Length" he spoke on behalf of his muscles, as he bend-ed to tie his shoelaces in his usual double knotted fashion.

And Glen smiled, as we clambered into their dinghy, and simply said, "Oh dear".

Armed with a map from the kind lady from L'Office de Tourisme, who confirmed we could indeed take the Route de la Maison Blanche towards Rue de la Saline, all the way to Marigot. Then at some point we cross the North-Western part of Terre de Haut, and continue on to take the charted dotted line across the North-Eastern part to Point de Vue Number 2 (Fort Caroline), and then back down to join the main road (Route de Pompierre) towards Pompierre Beach, which was what, a mere 25 minutes from Le Bourg, where we were staring from, so really, just a wee bit of walk to warm up our bodies.

We started in town, where the road forked and we went right, and somewhat up.



We stopped to inhale the scenery, or just perhaps to catch our breath,



(and what a hopping place this must be at night)



And then, what do we find? At the end of the road, at Marigot Bay?



A somewhat hidden path with the usual rocks and boulders that needed clambering, and all painted with the now very familiar yellow circles,



leading Up and Up of course.

"Let's keep going" said Dalynn, as she bounced on, halfway up already, "Let's see where it goes".
"It goes up", sighed Dave, as he stopped for a moment to wipe his brow,
"Oh Dear" said Glenn

And so UP we went,



through woods and trees and shade,



where we eventually reached some sort of pinnacle with breath-taking views of Marigot Bay,



and,

"Oh look, here's another path, let's see where this path goes..." said Dalynn,
"Yes, but it's a dead end" said Dave, pointing to the map,
"Yes, but let's see where it ends" countered Dalynn in her happy voice.

Spectacular places and views,



and a total realization and confirmation that the map we had in hand was so not representative of the many trails that are actually out there.



Locked areas of exclusion,



housing water pipes perhaps?



and going around the fences, just for fun.



More directional signs leading this way and that way, but where are we on the map?



With lots more UP and UP



leading to views to swoon over,



excitingly refreshing winds to cool our sweat drenched bodies,



Where Dave definitely relished his King of the Hill moment !



views of Pompierre Beach down below,



And then, the ever-familiar happy voice called out, "I found it, Follow me!" and off we went. Again. A rather sudden drop, where the post was the only thing preventing us from going straight down, to, would you believe it, the start of another trail.

"You have to touch it!" she sing-songed, as she pointed to the post, just to make sure that we went all the way with her. "No slackers on my watch !!"



Another sign, another misdirection, lots of finger pointing,



and eventually the remnants of the Caroline Battery,



appeared at the top of yet another spectacular Point de Vue,



where later research resulted in my finding this rather interesting and perhaps romantic story,

"In 1822, a brief romance was born between an officer of the Royale Fréminville, called at the Port of the Saintes and Caroline a young lady from the island. When he left again in campaign, he promised to Caroline to come back. As she didn't see her beloved coming back and despairing his return, she threw herself into the void before the officer landed on the island on the same day! Seized with madness at the announcement of the death of his beloved, the officer went back to Brest, taking with him Caroline's dress that he sometimes wore. From this romance, remains the name of the battery."



We started navigating our way downhill,



getting closer to Pompierre Beach,



critters moving out of our way as we approached,



but ever and always going down, down, down,



getting ever closer,



until this magnificence greeted us,



And then we took the level and paved road directly back to town, a short-cut that took a mere 30 minutes. We had left at 08:00, and clambered up 350 feet of Mire Hill, (and down again), and escalated 446 feet of Morel Hill (and down again), not to mention going the long way around fences, and all the way to the end of dead ends (and back again).

A quick stop in town for a baguette and a celebration and toast with a perfectly iced cold drink.



Where we arrived back at the dinghy dock at 11:00. Our running shoes came off, and we happily moaned as we dangled our feet in the refreshingly cool waters of the Bay.

Somehwere along the way of the day today, Dalynn had quoted the following:

"When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen." (A.A.Milne)

and would you believe, the zany cast of characters seemed to evolve quite naturally after that.



Can you guess who is who?



Another Grand Day was had and to which, I would like to heart-fully and thankfully dedicate this blog to fellow Adventurer's, Dalynn and Glen, for without whom our most recent Adventuring would not be as possible,



or as much Fun.