Holiday on the island of Guernsey

As our family grows up, I think I value each day we spend together ever more. And so these long summer holidays seem infinitely precious to me, despite the challenges each day may bring. I don’t want them to slip by too quickly, and am trying to savour the time moment by moment.

We were able to go away during term time (can still just do that as college year ends before school year), and spent just over a week on the island of Guernsey. It is one of the Channel Islands, set in the midst of the English Channel, closer geographically to France than to England, but a British crown dependancy. Here is my memory album of our time there.

A 5.00am start to catch the boat, but well worth it! I love boats!

Our trusty tent. Having coped with many years of incessant rain and near consuming mud during camping holidays I’m definitely a fair weather camper now, and both the weather and the campsite were perfect!

A walk with HWH and the boys along the south east of the island, while Kind Granny took the girls to the beach. Stunning views but they had to walk slower for me to keep up!

One of those rare, near perfect days on Sark, a tiny island which completely captured my heart. Maybe it was the combination of dusty roads (no tarmac as no cars), a sense of community despite all the summer visitors, a fascinating history, a chance meeting with the delightful daughter of the current “Seigneur”, sensing the strength of the Islanders during the Occupation years under a remarkable “Dame”… and sharing this special day with Granny.

Our van’s glitchy electrics glitched one to many times, so we had an enforced quiet week end at the campsite (can think of much worse places to be stranded!). We walked to this little chapel, the smallest in Europe and entirely decorated with pottery and shells.

A morning at the Occupation Museum was a thought provoking experience. The Channel Islands were the only part of the UK which were occupied during the Second World War. It was sobering to learn some of the stories of those who lived through these times…of their resilience and resourcefulness and strength of character.

The beaches were awesome. Clear, clean water, breathtaking views, lots of rock pools and plenty of opportunity for nature study!

We also were able to meet up with one of my “imaginary friends” (my Instagram friends) who I hope is now a real friend! Our kids played on a near deserted sandy beach and it was lovely to hear her stories of island life. Do check out her her delightful blog The Open Home

The girls and I enjoyed rock-pooling, collecting shells, reading stories and eating ice cream while HWH and the boys visited some of the many fortifications on the island, both from Napoleonic and Second World War eras. I’ve realised I’ve not got any photos of them..(the towers, not the boys!).

All too soon it was time to set sail for home. We had a late evening crossing, so ate a picnic supper at St Peter Port before embarking on our journey home.

🌸🌺🌼 🌺🌼🌸 🌸🌼🌺 🌺🌼🌸 🌸🌼🌺 🌺🌼🌸

PS I just want to thank all of you who have been kind enough to subscribe to my blog. It really encourages me and I’m truly grateful. I’d love to write more, but know I need to put the hours in and practice, and this is my main place to do that. So, thank you for supporting me in this!

And….I’m not great at techy stuff and I’m sorry if sometimes the photos don’t come out via your email copies. They work ok on the main blog page, so will have to try to sort it (or ask one of the boys!)