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.