Tag Archives: Guernsey

Guernsey in June

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Sunset as we arrive to English Isle

On the Wednesday we set off for Guernsey in Morrison our VW T5 campervan conversion. Arrived at Poole in plenty of time for the hydrofoil trip to Guernsey. The hydrofoil ferry was late leaving, it seemed to take an eternity to load and was totally full. Larger vehicles were asked to reverse on, including one caravan. Needless to say the caravan made a pig’s ear of this and had to give up. We later heard that the previous day’s ferry had been cancelled and that this was why our’s was so crammed.

Eventually, the ferry left in sunshine and made its slow way out of the Harbour and along the coast of Studland. At the Old Harry Rocks it accelerated for the trip across to Guernsey.  But at this point sea fog arrived and accompanied us all the way across to Guernsey. We never saw Alderney nor the Casquet Rocks.

On entering the waters between Herm and Guernsey the ferry stopped, turned around and went around the far side of Herm and entered St Peter Port from the south. The lack of visibility and yachts caused the Captain to take a safer, more prudent route.  We disembarked and made our way to the Fauxquets Valley Campsite arriving at 8.32.  We were welcomed and parked our van for supper and the night.

Thursday Saint Peter Port and the Victorian Shop

Today we walked down to King’s Mills and caught the bus to St Peter Port, where Rosemary found a couple of charity shops, so bought more books (oh and a CD for me). Lunch at the White Hart pub and then to the National Trust Victorian Shop. Lovely warm day and it was good looking around St Peter Port.

Friday Biker Caff

Today we walked down to the coast, to the Biker Caff (aka Vistas Beach Café) for a coffee and the on to La Grande Mare Hotel. We were looking for the Twinkle the cat, but she was not around. Instead we caught the round the island bus to Saint Peter Port where we then caught the bus back to near the campsite.

Tonight was pizza night, we had pre-ordered our pizza and now decided on the toppings. They were quickly cooked in the new wood-fired pizza oven.

Saturday road closures

A lovely hot sunny day, we set off to Kings Mill to catch the bus again to The Imperial Hotel, where we intended to walk along the south coast path. Instead we were ceremonially dumped near to L’Eree. The bus was not going any farther, due to some road works somewhere. We walked along the coast to the Imperial Hotel.  The orchids were over in the orchid fields, where we had seen them last year. The succulents were well past their flowering.

At the Imperial we stayed for a pint of beer. Had a lovely pint, can’t remember the name, other than it was a London craft beer. We continued along the coast, looked at the German war defences, admired the twinkling blue light in the sunlit sea. Eventually we called it a day and headed to the Route de Pleinmont to catch the first bus that came along. Actually had hoped to change buses at the airport, but alas our bus was late, so we missed the connection. Saint Peter Port, and then back home.

Sunday Castel Walk

Today we went for a long walk from the campsite through Castel along the green lanes. We headed eventually to the Biker Caff for a light lunch before heading home. Lovely sunset.

Monday Auberge at Jerbourg

We walked down to La Grand Mare to catch the bus going anti-clockwise around the island. The intention and actuality was to alight at St Martin’s and walk to the Auberge. This round the island bus always gets a running commentary from the driver. The journey is a popular trip for tourists and cruise boat inmates.

At the Auberge, which we visit every year, we had a very good meal as usual. Being a Monday it was going to be quiet, so we had not booked. Why does the head waiter proceed with the charade of saying he is going to search for a table? And when we left he thanked us for our unexpected visit.

Caught a bus from outside the restaurant to Saint Peter Port where we bought some food from the Co-Op, then back home.

Tuesday a Mystery

I had turned off location support on my phone, so Google has not recorded my movements. I don’t know what we did today. I think it was a lazy day and we stayed in camp reading. R saw a kestrel dive very suddenly, without any hovering in advance, and retrieve a mouse. We also saw some very large, bright green crickets.

Wednesday to Herm Island

Up early and caught the bus to Saint Peter Port for the ferry to Herm and the Rosaire Steps. We walked north and across the island to Shell Beach, where Rosemary spent an inordinate amount of time searching for miniscule molluscs. I believe she was a little disappointed in the lack of finds.

Now we walked along the east coast cliffs, and around the south to the Rosaire Steps to catch the ferry home. Quite a windy day and the gulls were displaying their adeptness for soaring the cliffs.

Back in Saint Peter Port we stopped at the Terrace Rooftop café for a beer before departing back to the campsite.

Thursday The Beach House

Last day in Guernsey, so packed away and drove along the North coast to Pembroke Beach and L’Ancresse Bay. How can one bay have two sides with different names!  Lunch at the Beach House. R again managed to find some books for sale at a kiosk and even managed to read one that very afternoon & return it! On to Saint Peter Port where we had intended on buying some sandwiches from Waitrose for the trip back. We were confronted by a sign say no sandwiches because of a dispute with the ferry companies.

We boarded the Ferry, leaving after 7.00, and arrived back in Pool after 10.00.  Watched the sun go down as we approached the island of England. Home shortly before 1am. Lots of diversions and road closures on our drive back.

 

I’m a honeybee, breaking your heart, broke mine enough to kill me

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Cobo Bay, Guernsey

Cobo Bay, Guernsey

We had planned to go to Herm Island today.  The weather, though dry, was not sunny.  Thursday according to the weather gurus was likely to be better.  So, instead we lounged around the campsite reading books, drinking tea and making lunch. We went for a short walk around the campsite looking at the sheep, chickens, turkeys, pigs and ducks.  The turkeys had chicks, the very protective mother was most concerned as we stood by.  They were protected in a cage on the field because if they weren’t, the gulls would come in for a quick meal.  The pigs were all rare breeds with a couple of Old Spot (and others I have no idea of now).  We missed two piglets but we saw them later when we came back from our afternoon walk.

Enough lounging about was enough, so off we went for a walk to Cobo Bay trying to keep to green lanes and the ruettes tranquilles.  We arrived and had tea at one of the famous Guernsey Kiosks, the Cobo Bay one, with me further treating myself to a Classic Magnum as we left. 

The walk back took us a different, slightly shorter route which passed two Island fortifications we have never seen before.  Both were not marked on our Guernsey maps.  Maybe we should update to a newer version. They are obviously proud of these fortifications with the new signs and historical notes.

Guernsey Honeybees

Guernsey Honey Bees

Guernsey Honeybee keeper

Guernsey Honeybee keeper

Arrived back at the campsite to what looked like a swarm of midges which must have been awakened by the warmth and sunshine appearing during our walk.  We decided on a bottle of cold, local cider (6%) brewed not more than a few hundred yards from away.   Nope they were not midges, they were  Guernsey Honeybees doing their swarming bit. (Perhaps from the apple orchard making our cider?)  The owner of the orchard was contacted and arrived, donned his kit and captured the honeybees, placing them in a box.  Quite exciting.  One of the campsite’s two young Border Collies managed to get a bee entangled in her tail and was quite subdued & anxious until the insect was found and removed.

I’m waitin’, waitin’ on a sunny day, Gonna chase the clouds away

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The predicted cloudy day started off with sunshine, soon descending into cloud.  We had already made the decision not to go to Herm, but instead go for lunch at The Auberge.  The French children had already packed to go, one night at the campsite, what were they here for?

We caught the bus into town, making the mandatory pass through the hospital.  We changed to a second bus to Jerbourg where the restaurant is.  Again, making a trip through the hospital.  Yes, we went past the hospital four times today.   Most bus routes appear to go through the hospital now.  The car park at the hospital, and the connections to the rest of the island must make it one of the best places to park when commuting on Guernsey.  (Well, if you could find somewhere to park.)

At Jerbourg I started my mandatory run down the steps and path to the point, only to be stopped by path closed signs and a dug-up bridge leading to the lighthouse.  Back up the steps again to be greeted by Rosemary shaking her head (as to why I hadn’t made it all the way down), and a tour bus from the Norwegian Jade who was anchored off the coast.  I did wonder how many of the 2,700 passengers took tours of the island.  I somehow doubt there is much extra transport capacity on the island.  Is it expected that most passengers will mooch around St Peter Port? Guernsey is said to be the last duty free stop before returning to the UK. Cruise liners are not able to anchor off Jersey.

Short walk down the road to The Auberge where we ate lunch.  Cocktails while we ordered and then a lovely meal from the lunch time menu, and a bottle of wine.  Back on the buses through the hospital twice more and then on home to sit outside to read (R), snooze (me) and shiver (both) in the refreshing weather. 

The sun is promised for tomorrow, and hopefully the Internet is better now that the French kids have gone elsewhere and I can post this with one photo of me standing next to a large plant.

Victor Hugo

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This morning was lovely and warm for eating our breakfast outside.  The wind had died, and the sun was shining.  Even the night had been a lot warmer, and the fridge did not play up.

Victor Hugo Victor HugoToday we were off to see Victor Hugo’s house, where he lived for 15 years in exile from France.  This was our first visit.  We have been visiting Guernsey for 25 years and never visited his house; it was always closed.  This year our visit was in the early summer and it was open.  Next year (2018) it is closed for refurbishment, so we were lucky to find it open.  The house is owned by the City of Paris and run by the Parisian museums, it was gifted to them by Hugo’s granchildren in the 1920s.  The house is staffed by French staff who do guided tours.  Guided tours are the only way to visit the house.  Luckily the French staff don’t abide by French lunches and it is open continuously throughout the day.  We were also amazed by a group of French about to start on a tour at 1.30.  What has happened to the French lunch? If you are in Guernsey, try and visit the house.  It is quite remarkable with each room being decorated and furnished in different ways, from dark to light going up the storeys.

A pleasant lunch was spent eating our sandwiches on the quayside.  Unfortunately, we happened to sit where the Guernsey tourist road train set off from.

Bus over to Petit Bot Bay, where the Martello tower had been renovated and fairly newly opened to the public. The Petit Bot Bay café had been done up, though they advertised cream teas and Guernsey Gache, none were to be seen.  Tea now served in paper mugs.  Definitely gone down hill in the tea department, though lunches might have been good.

Long slog back up the hill to the Independent Grocery Shop for some replenishments for the rest of the week.  R asking me why I had bought Scottish Cheddar.

Back on the bus to the end of Candie Road.  As we set off in the bus, I looked at its route on the map and reckon we could have walked faster.  We took a very scenic route to Candie Road, passing the other side of the airport some 20 minutes after we set off from the south side.

Back at the campsite, having spotted the noisy peacock outside a local house, the peace has been further broken by a large group of French school children coming camping.  At least they are tented a long way from us. 

The wind is a little stronger this evening, so all dressed in fleeces while we drink our wine and prepare the beef stir fry purchased at the grocery.

Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon

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Vazon Bay

Vazon Bay

Vazon Bay

Vazon Bay

Today was predicted to be a sunny day with less wind, and a little warmer.  Thankfully we could relax, the fridge had been giving us some cause for concern overnight and had been running incessantly.  Couple of interventions during the night only made it stop running all together.  I think maybe it was too cold at night for the fridge, operating temperature should be 16C, less than that and it can be inefficient!  The instruction book says that. Sounds counter intuitive to me.  Seems to be working fine now it’s warmer. (Us humans are also working fine in the warmth.) Added to the fridge waking us, there was the peacock, whose idea of dawn needs to be modified.  As far as I could see, there was not a glimmer of light in the sky.  The cockerels did have the decency to hold off until you could see the sky line.

Today was Sunday, so off to Vazon Bay and La Grande Mare for Sunday lunch.  We arrived at the shore around 11.45 and saw the stragglers of the Guernsey Ultra Marathon pass by.  This was an around the island race on the coastal paths.  These paths included all the steps up and down around the cliffs on the south coast.  The run is 36 miles long, with a best time of a little under 5 hours.  The stragglers we saw were half way around and 5 hours in.  They would be hard pressed to make the 10-hour closing time.

Mallards in the La Grand Mare hot tubMallards in the La Grand Mare hot tub

Mallards in the La Grand Mare hot tub

Twinkle the Cat

Twinkle the Cat

At La Grande Mare, we sat by the outdoor pool and consumed our prepranidal drinks, Rosemary had a G&T while I drank a pint of beer.  It was lovely and warm, while we watched a pair of Mallards take to the swimming pool and hot tub for a spruce up.  Lunch was ordered which we ate in the restaurant itself, then sat outside again for coffee.  Oh we saw Twinkle, the cat who used to visit us in the self-catering flat years ago.  She must be getting on in years now.

After lunch, we walked along the beach towards Fort Hommet Headland.  It was funny seeing the beach with people building sandcastles and going swimming.  Rather different to October!  After a pleasant walk along the beach we walked back to the campsite for a well-deserved beer on the sunset veranda. Now sitting outside Van the Van in the still warm sunshine sipping our drinks.  So much more pleasant when the wind is not blowing.  Forecast for the rest of the week is good.  (On several peoples’ authorities and not just Google’s.)

Guernsey – Little Chapel

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Little Chapel

Little Chapel

Little Chapel

Always be prepared.  Today the forecast was sun and no rain.  So, casting aside jackets, we set off to the Little Chapel. We had not even left the campsite when were caught in a deluge. I quickly retreated to Van the Van and retrieved waterproofs.  Off we set in the rain which soon stopped for the rest of the day, although my hat was a tad soggy.

The Little Chapel was open having been closed for renovations since November 2015.  It had been cracking up as part of the chapel had been built on granite, while the other side had been built on earth.  The roof had also been repaired and looked greatly improved. There was a continuous arrival of tour buses, stopping for 20 minutes, disgorging their load, waiting and picking them up a few minutes later for the next stop on Guernsey.  Many nationalities. We soon discovered there were two very large cruise liners in at St Peter Port.

After eating our cheese rolls, we caught the number 71 bus to St Peter Port and disembarked on the quayside.  A walk around the High Street looking at what had changed.  The Apple store had moved and grown larger.  Managed to dissuade a sales person from speaking to me by showing him my Android phone, at which he backed off in horror.  The shop selling kitchen equipment had changed into an outdoor ware shop.  Amazingly HMV was still in existence.  Down on the docks, the slaughter house had turned into a bistro and bar called, highly originally, The Slaughter House.  We thought the same had happened to the fish shop.  But it now sells fish and meat, so is called the Surf and Turf.  Our confusion was justified.  Luckily some things don’t change. The same pubs selling the same beers.

Oriana boarding

Oriana boarding

Oriana and Trident Marine

Oriana and Trident Marine

Walked to the lighthouse near Castle Cornet, having checked out the yachts in the various harbours. We watched the two cruise liners (one was P&O’s Oriana) being loaded.  Huge queues of passengers at the port waiting to re-embark onto the cruise ship tenders.  Fascinating to watch.  Thankfully not us. Unfortunately, my Canon 100-400 telephoto lens began to play up and wouldn’t always focus. Rosemary was of course deeply suspicious of this and thought nervously of all the camera shops.

We caught the 61 bus back to Kings Mill (straight back, no dawdling around camera shops) and walked the hill back to the campsite, where I am drinking my JD & Coke in the sunshine.  Could do without the wind.

Guernsey in Van the Van

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We had a 9.00 am Condor ferry booked from Poole harbour, so instead of rushing down in the morning, we decided to travel on the previous evening and park at the ferry port. The weather was appalling, raining most of the way to Poole.  We arrived and parked in the waiting lanes for the ferry, with about twenty other mobile homes waiting for the Cherbourg ferry. There are nice loos there, and a café, closed when I arrived, but open in the morning where we could buy coffee and bacon rolls.

We boarded the ferry in sunshine and were soon on are way to Guernsey.  The ferry crossing is three hours.  As we approached Guernsey the clouds came in.  We docked and were one of the first off the Condor. Drove to the bus kiosk and dropped Rosemary off to buy a Puffin card.  No parking near by, even for a Smart car.  Ten minutes later I picked Rosemary up and drove to the Waitrose in the centre of the island.  This shop has always been there in all the times we have visited,   This is its third re-incarnation, being a Safeway and some other supermarket in previous lives.  Provisioned we headed to Vazon Bay for lunch.  This used to be home to the “Biker Café”, but it has been smartened up into a Bistro and Bar.  It still sells snacks, tea in mugs and “Biker Coffee”, instant coffee with a slug of warm milk. 

After lunch, a walk to La Grande Mare to take a nosey around and to see if Twinkle the cat was still alive.  The staff reported the cat was still alive, though we were unable to see her.  Checked out the menus and decided we will be back for lunch one day.

Now to the campsite, checked in to a pretty empty place. One other motorhome and three tents.  Seems reasonable place, has beer and wine for sale, eggs, fresh bread and pain au chocolates for those who need food. 

Alas the evening was a bit chilly with an unwanted breeze adding to the cooling affect.  More wine was acquired to counteract the chill.

The forecast was for rain during the night and sun the next day.  Yes it rained, and the next day was a glorious day of sunshine.

So Friday arrived and off we walked to the orchid fields three miles away.  The walk was on roads all the way. Guernsey roads can be narrow and sunken, even more that the roads in the West country.   The flowers on the road sides were glorious. Rosemary spotted a spider’s nest with hundreds of spiderlings about to invade the country.

The orchid fields were found, Early-Purple, Common Spotted & Pyramidal, but there were hundreds of them, all in prime condition.  We had arrived at the correct time and we haven’t finished checking the photos yet.

We walked on down the coast to the Imperial Hotel for a pint and then on to Pleinmont where there were paragliders flying.  Never seen them there before.  Back to the Imperial to catch the bus which took us to Kings Mills, a water treatment and pumping station.  Then a short 20-min walk back up to the campsite for drinks and canapes

 

Wednesday dinner

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After arriving back in the flat, and a few G&Ts later, decided to eat in the hotel restaurant. Steve decided maybe that we should book, so over to the hotel and booked for supper. No room available until 8.30. Seems the Tenner Fest at La Grande Mare is pretty popular. I think they are the only restaurant doing the festival for a Tenner. This is a three course meal and in the evening. De Nellos in St Peter Port charge £17.50 for a three course evening meal. De Nellos feel they have to charge this amount, otherwise the food quality will be low. The meal La Grande Mare presented for £10.00 was excellent for quality, taste, presentation and value. There were quite a few options available on the menu I would be happy to eat. Maybe will have to go back again. Quantities were good, we left feeling satiated. Coffee was extra, but worth the cost, they do a good Cappuccino .

For the record

  • R had Chicken Tikka, followed by a vegetarian Wellington stuffed with Feta cheese and peppers. I tried a piece and it was yummy. She ended with ice cream.
  • S started with baked Cammenburt cheese, lamb on a potato champ and sauce, and finished with a apple crumble and ice cream.

Today worried by the rain, and no plan we headed to St. Peter Port and stopped in the ever growing number of Costa coffee shops which seem to have grown up. As usual I presented my Costa card to gain points, and as usual my Costa card was rejected. Why oh why have a loyalty card and find that it is not taken in that particular branch. I am getting hacked off with Costa and their owner Whitbread. Never have this problem of rejected loyalty card at Cafe Nero who, incidentally produce a better and stronger tasting cup of coffee.

We left and walked up through the town heading back to Vazon bay. We must have been lucky, despite the ominous clouds we arrived home dry. The ground at Vazon was soaking wet, luckily no rain fell on the just.

Guernsey 2010 holiday snaps have been posted.

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We have been on our usual visit to Guernsey for a week, staying at La Grande Mare.  John and Carol came with us.  The pictures from this holiday have now been posted for viewing.

Celebrated my advancing years at the Auberge Restaurant for Sunday lunch.  Cool meal.  The rest of the week was divided up between, me cooking (breakfast chef), and John the head chef performing miracles with aquatic creatures.

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