Poole

  

Well, that's Jersey done. Another tick on our 'places to visit list'. We'd had a wonderful time; the weather came good after arriving in the rain and dark last Saturday. But Sunday had dawned dry and bright and we drove to Rozel just along the coast, so it only seemed right that we re-visit it this morning before driving to St. Helier for our return ferry. 

And of course, a coffee and hot chocolate had to be partaken at The Hungry Man kiosk on the harbour. Sitting soaking up the sun, the temperature 18 c, we noticed that many of the people sat around us were familiar faces from our last visit. Rozel, a small but perfectly formed village, home to fishing boats and brightly painted holiday homes. Why wouldn't you want to be there?

But sadly, we had to leave, so we drove slowly along the narrow roads, lined with lush green banks carpeted with hosts of fresh yellow daffodils. Never in our lives have we seen so many daffodils as here, we constantly admired them and never tired of seeing them. They just lit the whole island.

St. Helier, after the quietness of the rest of the island was a shock. Traffic, noise, chaos. This wasn't the Jersey we liked. But the ferry back to Poole sailed from here, so we joined the throng and eventually squeezed ourselves into the waiting queue and eventually onto Condor Liberation, the catamaran that would return us to Poole, stopping at Guernsey to pick up more passengers on the way. The other channel islands clearly visible as the ferry powered through a swell that tossed it around in the ocean foam.

Upon our arrival in Poole, early evening, just as the sun was going down over Brownsea island we appreciated the beauty of the area we live in. Some of the other passengers marvelled at the landscape, and we realised we were lucky to live amongst this natural beauty. 

Madge is now parked next to Marge who'll be heading to Scotland soon. We hope you'll all come along on the trip with us.

Trinity (Day 6)

Our last full day in Jersey today. Where has the time gone? One more day driving the challenging roads of the island. You had a lucky escape Marge, we're glad we decided not to bring you here, Madge has had a few near misses, road junctions and roads in general have all been testing!

Today we headed to the west of the island, beginning at Ouaisne beach, where rolling waves broke onto a vast sandy beach.  A perfect spring sky of blue above made us think of this time last year when we were on the Ile de Re.

The tide on the turn we were keen to drive around the coast to La Corbiere Lighthouse. The immediate area near the lighthouse was peppered with six German fortifications. A little bit over the top we thought. But how lucky were the German soldiers to be billeted on the Channel Islands. We're sure they kept their heads down, and their opinions to themselves with regard to Hitler's actions rather than risk being sent to the Russian front. 

La Braye was our lunchtime stop where we watched neoprene clad surfers brave the cold sea water and then a drive up and over the cliffs to the 14^th century ruin of Grosnez Castle. The views towards the other islands and along the coast were stunning. Just the northern most point of the island to stop at and we would have completed our list of places to visit on Jersey this week. The view from Sorel Point made us realise why the coastline of Jersey's north coast was so special.  Striking and dramatic. We both agreed that our favourite day had been Monday when we walked along the coast path over the cliffs to Rozel, and then back again.

Tomorrow evening, God willing we'll be home, but only for one night. No rest for Madge, she's off to visit the family.

A Firecrest spotted near Grosnez Castle.

Trinity (Day 5)

With only two full days left of our holiday, we need to up our game if we were to see as much of the island as possible. Our time in Jersey has been relaxed and slow. Our airbnb set near the north coast has become a haven, quiet and comfortable. Some people might like to squeeze fluffy towels into their suitcase to take home, Angela's wondering if she could squeeze the mattress of the bed into Madge. She's never slept so well.

First place to visit on today's list, Devils Hole. As we descended a winding path, passing a bronze statue of, the devil himself we were afforded views across the sea to the other islands, Sark, Herm, Alderney and Guernsey.

The devils hole, measures 100 feet across and plunges 200 feet ft down.  A dramatic sight created by the erosion of the sea. The whole of the north coast of the island presents dramatic cliffs of uniform rock in varying states of drama.

After stopping at Greve de Lecq, a small sandy bay flanked by the familiar concrete German fortifications found across the islands, we headed to Plemont Bay where the tide was on the turn giving way to large crashing waves. The cliffs above the bay are home to 250 pairs of puffins from March. Sadly, we were too early to see them. Well, saying that we did stumble upon a couple on the cliff top.

What a day, lots to see, lots of walking, and time to sit just taking in the view. Come on guys. Get out there. Book your ferry or flight, or pack up your car and get on with your adventures. 

Trinity (Day 4)

What a fantastic meal at The Trinity Arms last night. Very indulgent. So today a little walking was needed. St. Aubin bay was our destination where after a walk along the harbour side, where woodwork was being hastily painted and restaurants cleaned for the start of the season we beach-combed the beach exposed by the retreating tide. Scallop, whelk, limpet and cockle shells were scattered across the fine, washed sand.

When we're away we always collect shells and anything else we find interesting on a beach for our shell jars and John's 'shelf of curiosities' back at home. St. Aubin bay curves around to the St. Helier, where we arrived on a dark drizzly evening five days ago. The area certainly looked nicer today.

Everywhere oozes wealth here. John has taken quite a fancy to the island, especially as the maximum personal tax rate is 20%, and there are no capital gains or inheritance tax. Just one problem, he's already on the 20% tax band and he's a little short on the wealth required to be a resident! Later shopping at a Waitrose supermarket this afternoon he realised why you needed wealth. No Aldi or Lidl here.

We have spent most of our time so far discovering the north and east of the island, so for our last two days we have plans to venture over to the west. There's still so much to see, and so little time.

Trinity (Day 3)

Today is Angela's birthday. Lunch packed we decided to visit nearby Jersey Zoo, opened in 1959 and founded by naturalist Gerald Durrell. Today we would become a statistic. Each year approximately 169,000 people visit the zoo each year.

After an unsettled start the day brightened and France was easily visible across the channel. 

Being early in the season the zoo was quiet, so we were easily able to walk around and take in the animals, well the ones that weren't having a lie in. The cold wind meant some of the animals were not allowed outside, but those that were provided us with much entertainment. Particularly the meerkats who posed for photographs, and the orangutans who entertained us by swinging on ropes and branches using their long and powerful arms. Poisonous miniature frogs of metallic blue, luminous orange and yellow were Angela's favourite creature of the day.  Her least, the boa constrictor.

Time flew by, and after lunch we walked around the grounds again, lucky to catch the sleeping sloths now out in their compound after a ten-fifteen-hour sleep. And the highlight, the gorillas, who this morning were not in the mood for visitors now allowing us to photograph them whilst they sat with a look of 'whatever' on their faces. The silverback, Badongo, was particularly stunning.

This evening a meal at the local pub, The Trinity Arms. What a great day.

Trinity (Day 2)

We are loving our AirBnB accommodation. What's not to like about a self contained flat, with kitchen/lounge/diner, large shower room and a bedroom with a super-king, yes super-king sized bed. Most of the houses we've seen on the island are large. For sale at the moment, a five bedroom new build at £22 million. Or something a little cheaper, a one bed flat at £330,000. Bargains!

Today we decided to walk along the coastal bath from nearby Bouley Bay to Rozel, a round trip of around five miles. Five miles of up and down, with fantastic views along the coast. With a few other people around we took our time enjoying the spring flowers that pushed their way up through the wilted and bronzed fronds of last year's ferns.

 John's eagle eye spotted jelly ear, also known as monkey's ear growing on dead elderberry branches. They went straight in a bag for tomorrow's breakfast omelette. For those of you not familiar with these gelatinous ear shaped fungi, they may be something you've eaten at a Chinese restaurant in a mixed vegetable dish. As disgusting as they sound, they are actually quite tasty. 

Having stopped at Rozel yesterday we knew refreshments awaited us at The Hungry Man on the harbour. Once again we watched a brave soul take to the water, if only for five minutes. Is it worth it, taking off your warm clothes for five minutes of torture in cold water. Apparently, if you want to improve your circulation, reduce blood pressure and increase your libido!

Today's conversation with some local people was the charge of 70 pence for a reusable bag in the shops on the islands. A fine of £1,000 is imposed on retailers who do not uphold this. Makes you think, time to stop hoarding bags for life in the kitchen drawer.