Day three (Monday, March 26th) arrived and the weather was pretty darn good so once again I took my local bus into town and hopped the #91 round island bus heading out to Grandes Rocque Bay which is just north of Cobo Bay on the west coast. I walked up to the Rocque de Guet Watchhouse and Battery which was constructed during the Napoleonic wars in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Fortifications were added during the German occupation in World War II.
This was the view from the battery looking toward Cobo Bay.
A beach
I then walked along the beach towards Cobo Bay.
Token dog photo - these two characters are Rosie and Daisy. I also noted in my journal that I met Pepper the Pug who didn't like to walk and was being carried by her owner.
Don't know this guy's name but he/she was sure having fun!
A tower
At Cobo Bay I hopped back on the round island bus and headed north to Rousse Tower. This tower was built in the 1870s to guard against invasion by the French as I mentioned earlier. The reason for this? After the 1776 war of Independence, France became an ally of the United States. As the Channel Islands were loyal to the Crown of Great Britain this put them in danger of an attack by the French.
These cannons are replicas...
The view isn't shabby either.
Then it was back to the main town of St Peter Port where I had a bit of a wander. After another gaze at their lovely harbour....okay Guernsey you beat Jersey when it comes to having a pretty harbour...
That is Castle Cornet...in the distance. Don't worry, we will be visiting there tomorrow!
Above is Town Church which is also known as the Parish Church of St Peter Port. There has been a church on this site since the 11th century and possibly even the 9th century. The current building was completed around the mid 15th century. Of course there have been changes and renovations as it was damaged during various wars; cannons from nearby Castle Cornet hit the church during the English civil war in 1643 and damage from German and Allied bombers (aiming for a German submarine in the harbour which shattered most of the stained glass windows) during the Second World War.
St Peter Port has lots of winding narrow streets and tiny lanes - love it! There are branches of well known High St chains such as M & S (no Laurie, you don't need another prawn and mayonnaise sandwich!) and Boots but also independent shops as well. And lots of tea shops!
Why a sculpture of donkeys? Guernsey natives are known as donkeys - especially to nearby Jersey residents with which there is a rivalry. One reason is a nod to their stubbornness, however, Guernsey people like to say it is because of their strength of character. Another reason is that if a Guernseyman hadn't been to London by the age of 25 his friends called him a donkey. And the final reason and possibly the correct one...donkeys were used more on this island than on any of the other Channel Islands due to St Peter Port's steep streets. Who knows? All I know is this is certainly an adorable sculpture and I was all over it because you know...donkeys! It can be found in St Peter Port's Market Square. (which sounds grander than it is!)
I wound my way up the streets (did I mention "up"?) until I reached Candie Gardens. Once part of a private estate these beautiful gardens were bequeathed to the island in 1871 and turned into a private park.
These gardens were just starting to "wake" as keep in mind it was only the last week in March. I am sure they would be stunning in June.
The gardens were up on one of St Peter Port's hills (huff, puff) so the views were lovely.
I had no idea the Beatles performed in Guernsey!
Here is a statue of Queen Victoria beside the Guernsey museum which sadly I did not have a chance to visit. I quickly browsed the small shop and planned to go back but I ran out of time. Next time!
A cream tea
And then it was time to sit down, relax and shove a cream tea down my gob. Have to be honest here...I was hungry. And it was good!
I could be wrong but I believe this was my first cream tea of the trip.
With my tummy full I walked over to nearby Candie cemetery. I was impressed and wish now I had spent more time exploring but I was starting to get tired. I love old cemeteries! The building in the distance is not a church but a school. Quite grand! Elizabeth school was founded in 1563 under the orders of Queen Elizabeth. It is a private boys school and is one of the oldest private schools in Britain. I am calling it private because that's what we call fee-paying schools in North America - in Britain they are referred to as public. Why? It refers to their origin as being open to any student who could afford to pay fees - they are not funded from public taxes. Hey, I'm not going to knock it - I went to a private school for three years and have no regrets at all. In fact I wish I had carried on until I graduated - but what can I say... 16-year-olds think they know it all. Anyway, I digress.... most of the students at this school (aged 11 to 18) are fee-paying but there are scholarships awarded annually.
Another tower
Victoria Tower was built in 1848 to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the island two years previously.
The spire in the distance is that of St James, once a church but deconsecrated during the 70's and now a well-known music venue as well as the home of the Guernsey Millennium Tapestry.
My tiredness caught up with me and I got a nearby bus that took me back to my Bed and Breakfast and a rest in front of the telly for the evening. And that's a wrap on day three. If you want to read more of my adventures so far in Guernsey here is day one and here is day two.
There are still four more days of my Guernsey adventure to share - stay tuned!
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