It's been over a year since my week in Guernsey so let's put this post sequence to bed once and for all. After visiting Castle Cornet the day before I headed over to the Occupation Museum on the bus.
I found the museum so very interesting and I learned so much more about the German occupation of Guernsey during World War II. Here are a few of the highlights.
Times were very hard during the German Occupation of Guernsey. Livestock was taken to the continent to feed the German forces so the residents attempted to survive on the vegetables they could grow (when they weren't confiscated by the Germans) as shop rations gradually dwindled and soon a barter system took place - IF you had something to barter with. Even the German soldiers themselves were starving as the war carried on and supply runs to Guernsey from Germany were cut off by the British and her allies. Most families had a German soldier living with them due to lack of housing. It is referred to as the German occupation and not the Nazi occupation because in many cases friendships were formed between the islanders and the soldiers. Even romantic trysts weren't unusual although these were heavily frowned upon. I was told that there have been former German soldiers that have visited Guernsey over the years as they had fond memories of the island and the kindness shown to them by some of the residents. Guernsey was considered a "soft" posting. So many of the young men were sent off to war without really understanding why they were there and missing their families and homes dreadfully. Yet evil still existed on the island such as the assassinations of residents like Louis Berrier as mentioned above and the brutal treatment of the Eastern European slaves brought over to build the fortresses - many died of starvation or from beatings. There are many books about the occupation or if you prefer something lighter I recommend reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" or watching the movie on Netflix. (although it isn't filmed on Guernsey but in Devon)
I was going to leave it but my spelling OCD is kicking in too badly - they spelled "Canadian" wrong. I hate incorrect spelling!
Just so we're clear on this...cigarettes in the UK are called fags....please excuse the quality of these photos. All the letters and posters were behind glass.
Close to the museum is a road and path leading down to Petit Bot Bay which is supposedly one of the prettiest bays on the island. I say supposedly because due to excessive mud on the path (it had rained a lot) my shoes were squishing into the muck and I was afraid I would either become stuck in the mud or fall flat on my face! I guess I will have to save that adventure for next time and dry weather - unfortunately, there is no public bus access to the bay. So I headed back to Cobo Bay instead...
There was a method to my madness; I wanted to try the Guernsey Bean Pot soup at the Coba tea room and I wasn't disappointed. It may look a bit disgusting but it certainly didn't taste that way.
Here's the recipe if you want to make it!!
Then I hopped yet another bus over to Rousse Tower where I decided to do a walk to Pembroke Bay. The day before I had picked up a brochure called "Tasty Walks" and this one looked particularly interesting.
Not a bad place to wait for a bus...a place to perch and a beautiful view...
There were some great views of the Rousse Tower at the beginning of this walk.
Vale Parish Church - at this point the path was beside the sea but I had to cross the road to snoop in this churchyard.
I couldn't resist a walk along this beach...
There are many towers along the coast which were built during the Napoleonic era as the Channel Islands were at risk of being invaded by the French. These were reinforced by the Germans during the Occupation.
Then the path turned inland and alongside a golf course which ALWAYS makes me nervous...but before I knew it I was at Pembroke Bay. The walk was about 75 minutes and I enjoyed it immensely.
I had just missed my bus so walked around the area a bit. My bladder made me go hunting and I found a cafe so had to sit down and have a cuppa. (that's how my days go...drink tea, pee, drink tea, pee....etc. etc. etc.) Needless to say, I missed another bus! Ah well, no worries; I was on holiday.
The next morning I headed into town and did a bit of shopping. As I just had eaten a light breakfast I opted for a....
Cappuccino and a cherry almond croissant...rather a miserable dull day but still a gorgeous view looking out over the harbour towards Castle Cornet... my host at the Bed and Breakfast had told me not to miss the Little Chapel so off I went...
The view around it wasn't bad either.
As you can see a lot of it was created from broken mugs! I was the only visitor on this dank wet day.
There is a gift shop near the property. My purchase? A little tub of yummy Strawberry Guernsey ice cream. I realized I hadn't had any yet and time was a-wastin'.
The next morning dawned with more showers but I didn't let that stop me. After a last hearty breakfast I brought my luggage down so my room could be cleaned - yes it was time to head off for the next adventure. Almost, that is. I jumped on the bus to the Folk Museum in Saumarez Park. It was an enjoyable time there - I love history and seeing how ordinary people lived back through the ages. My photos sucked though so nope, not sharing them.
I think the park would be pretty on a nice day!
I then headed back into St Peter Port where I visited the Tapestry Museum which depicts the history of Guernsey through the ages. No photos allowed but I did buy a set of postcards.
The ten tapestries each represent a century in Guernsey's one thousand year history and were created by each of Guernsey's ten parishes. Such amazing detail and so beautiful - the postcards do not do them justice.
Then it was time to head back to the guest house to pick up my luggage. David, one of the hosts kindly offered to drive me to the ferry terminal with his Jack Russell doggie riding shotgun.
I decided to splurge and for 13 pounds I upgraded to a private lounge with complimentary newspapers, tea/coffee and biscuits. That said, it was still a long overnight journey to Portsmouth. I didn't have to share my space which was nice and no screaming kids to bother me either. (yay!)
My week on Guernsey was fun and I'd definitely recommend a visit there as it's got something for everyone - unless you like a wild nightlife. Then...nope! Will I revisit? You just never know!
I found the museum so very interesting and I learned so much more about the German occupation of Guernsey during World War II. Here are a few of the highlights.
Times were very hard during the German Occupation of Guernsey. Livestock was taken to the continent to feed the German forces so the residents attempted to survive on the vegetables they could grow (when they weren't confiscated by the Germans) as shop rations gradually dwindled and soon a barter system took place - IF you had something to barter with. Even the German soldiers themselves were starving as the war carried on and supply runs to Guernsey from Germany were cut off by the British and her allies. Most families had a German soldier living with them due to lack of housing. It is referred to as the German occupation and not the Nazi occupation because in many cases friendships were formed between the islanders and the soldiers. Even romantic trysts weren't unusual although these were heavily frowned upon. I was told that there have been former German soldiers that have visited Guernsey over the years as they had fond memories of the island and the kindness shown to them by some of the residents. Guernsey was considered a "soft" posting. So many of the young men were sent off to war without really understanding why they were there and missing their families and homes dreadfully. Yet evil still existed on the island such as the assassinations of residents like Louis Berrier as mentioned above and the brutal treatment of the Eastern European slaves brought over to build the fortresses - many died of starvation or from beatings. There are many books about the occupation or if you prefer something lighter I recommend reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" or watching the movie on Netflix. (although it isn't filmed on Guernsey but in Devon)
I was going to leave it but my spelling OCD is kicking in too badly - they spelled "Canadian" wrong. I hate incorrect spelling!
Just so we're clear on this...cigarettes in the UK are called fags....please excuse the quality of these photos. All the letters and posters were behind glass.
Close to the museum is a road and path leading down to Petit Bot Bay which is supposedly one of the prettiest bays on the island. I say supposedly because due to excessive mud on the path (it had rained a lot) my shoes were squishing into the muck and I was afraid I would either become stuck in the mud or fall flat on my face! I guess I will have to save that adventure for next time and dry weather - unfortunately, there is no public bus access to the bay. So I headed back to Cobo Bay instead...
There was a method to my madness; I wanted to try the Guernsey Bean Pot soup at the Coba tea room and I wasn't disappointed. It may look a bit disgusting but it certainly didn't taste that way.
Here's the recipe if you want to make it!!
Then I hopped yet another bus over to Rousse Tower where I decided to do a walk to Pembroke Bay. The day before I had picked up a brochure called "Tasty Walks" and this one looked particularly interesting.
Not a bad place to wait for a bus...a place to perch and a beautiful view...
There were some great views of the Rousse Tower at the beginning of this walk.
Vale Parish Church - at this point the path was beside the sea but I had to cross the road to snoop in this churchyard.
I couldn't resist a walk along this beach...
There are many towers along the coast which were built during the Napoleonic era as the Channel Islands were at risk of being invaded by the French. These were reinforced by the Germans during the Occupation.
Then the path turned inland and alongside a golf course which ALWAYS makes me nervous...but before I knew it I was at Pembroke Bay. The walk was about 75 minutes and I enjoyed it immensely.
The next morning I headed into town and did a bit of shopping. As I just had eaten a light breakfast I opted for a....
Cappuccino and a cherry almond croissant...rather a miserable dull day but still a gorgeous view looking out over the harbour towards Castle Cornet... my host at the Bed and Breakfast had told me not to miss the Little Chapel so off I went...
The view around it wasn't bad either.
As you can see a lot of it was created from broken mugs! I was the only visitor on this dank wet day.
The next morning dawned with more showers but I didn't let that stop me. After a last hearty breakfast I brought my luggage down so my room could be cleaned - yes it was time to head off for the next adventure. Almost, that is. I jumped on the bus to the Folk Museum in Saumarez Park. It was an enjoyable time there - I love history and seeing how ordinary people lived back through the ages. My photos sucked though so nope, not sharing them.
I then headed back into St Peter Port where I visited the Tapestry Museum which depicts the history of Guernsey through the ages. No photos allowed but I did buy a set of postcards.
The ten tapestries each represent a century in Guernsey's one thousand year history and were created by each of Guernsey's ten parishes. Such amazing detail and so beautiful - the postcards do not do them justice.
Then it was time to head back to the guest house to pick up my luggage. David, one of the hosts kindly offered to drive me to the ferry terminal with his Jack Russell doggie riding shotgun.
I decided to splurge and for 13 pounds I upgraded to a private lounge with complimentary newspapers, tea/coffee and biscuits. That said, it was still a long overnight journey to Portsmouth. I didn't have to share my space which was nice and no screaming kids to bother me either. (yay!)
My week on Guernsey was fun and I'd definitely recommend a visit there as it's got something for everyone - unless you like a wild nightlife. Then...nope! Will I revisit? You just never know!
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