This is a small island, part of what we call the Channel Islands and the French call Les Isles Normandes. They are very close to the French coast and came to the English crown when William the Conqueror combined England with the Duchy of Normandy. For some reason, they never went back.
We are staying in a very nice hotel at the top of the town and, this afternoon, went on a free tour round the island, visiting all the parishes, discussing the system of government, photographing the remains of the German occupation and wondering about the demise of the tomato, fruit and flower crops. Even hotels are shutting down or being converted into apartments as the number of tourists drops. It looks like they are being reduced to dodgy money and rich retirees (very rich) to keep the economy going.
Coronation post box topper. The post boxes are blue – except for the one that dates from 1852 and is the oldest post box in the country. That one is still red because it is in someone’s garden and they refused to change it! On the subject of records – the pub on the right is in the Guiness Book of Records as being the closest pub to a church in the country. Note gargoyle. View of the harbour. Darling spuds of May? Elegant George IV arcades. The Little Chapel. Built as a replica of the Basilica at Lourdes, it is actually consecrated and holds a service once a year. The Little Chapel. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_ChapelThe Little Chapel – interior. All the mosaics are shells, stones and pieces of ceramics. Guernsey cows. German military lookout post and bunker. German gun – thrown in the sea by the army when they surrendered and recovered by enthusiasts. Part of a recovered trench network on top of the cliff
What’s happened to the potatoes? Certainly, the Channel Island new potatoes seem to attract a considerable premium when they do appear in the shops. I do like the cows. There are sometimes Jerseys and Guernseys in the cattle classes at the Border Union Show and they look quite different although the islands are so close to one another. The weather’s looking pretty good and hopefully warm…it’s dreich here and cold. Sorry to miss yesterday…stuff happens.
The Retirement Travels 
What’s happened to the potatoes? Certainly, the Channel Island new potatoes seem to attract a considerable premium when they do appear in the shops. I do like the cows. There are sometimes Jerseys and Guernseys in the cattle classes at the Border Union Show and they look quite different although the islands are so close to one another. The weather’s looking pretty good and hopefully warm…it’s dreich here and cold. Sorry to miss yesterday…stuff happens.
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Potatoes are from Jersey!
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