The five of us off to Sark today. Down in taxis to St Peter Port to catch the tub-like Sark Venture ferry. Not too choppy and we all really enjoyed the trip across, chugging past Herm and numerous rocks until we reached the Sark. Was reminded of Dave, my Grandfather saying: "you're going round Sark to get to Herm" (i.e. taking the long way around or being incredibly laboured).
No cars are allowed on the island of Sark We caught a bizarre tractor drawn-bus up the hill and instantly found somewhere to eat. A nice chowder for Romy and me, apparently fantastic hamburgers for Mum and Mason, and scampi for Toby. From there we clambered on board a horse drawn cart (the horse was called Toby) and were driven around a bit. Apparently Toby the Horse and the Queen opened the island's single Doctor's surgery a few years ago. Cheery local woman guide who told us about the feudal system there, and some interesting facts about the island. Mason added that it had the best hamburgers to the list about the small population, the land split into 40 tenements, and so on.
Got off from time to time and wandered about. Mum finding a curiously huge white moth at one point which clung onto her finger. After an hour our tour was over, and we were delivered back to the centre.
Toby Romy and me then rented bicycles and zoomed about the island. Romy said she thought she was in a Famous Five adventure. We reached la Coupee, which is a bridge with a sheer drop on either side crossing over to Little Sark. Happily, I was immune from vertiginous feelings.
Cycled vigorously on till we reached La Sablonnerie where we went for yet another cream tea in the tea garden. Romy instantly fell in love with the place and said she wants to stay there next time. This tea absolutely perfect, and thanks to some various English eccentrics, it felt like being back in the 30s. We were served triangular cucumber sandwiches, a big pot of tea, six still warm scones, yellow butter and cream and strawberry jam. Fantastic.
After this we cycled down to look at the abandoned silver mines and the southern tip of the island walking on a path through thick bracken with two kestrels stationed in the air nearby. Looked out across at Jersey, which is best seen if you look at it through two fingers held vertically.
A fast cycle back, much of it uphill. And then meeting Mum and Mase we went down to the harbour on the back of the strange tractor bus. They'd bought Toby and Romy a present for their house. While on the tractor bus I got a text from work to say that we'd won the account I was writing the blog for.
Back on the Sark Venture, Toby and me sat outside in the back wearing our Tilleys against the rain. Got quite blowy and rainy as we neared Guernsey but I found this to be really exhilarating.
Finally beginning to become relaxed.
Made our way to a new Chinese restaurant called The Confucius, where there was some serious chopstick work done. Managed to outmanoeuver Romy to pay, and had a nice chat with the lady who was running it as we waited for the taxi to take us home. She gave us fortune cookies, mine said "You have many stories to tell" and so did Mason's.
Back to St Martin's and me and Toby sloped off to a slightly morgue-like Captains for a brace of Pony Ales and a good old chat about things. One thing that is quite upsetting is that Pony Ale is a Guernsey Beer, but it turns out this is now brewed by the crapauds in Jersey and exported back here. Is nothing sacred?
We then walked back in the seamisty dark towards my hotel. Suddenly in a few seconds the mist was gone and the night was clear again. We walked out to Icart point and stood in the dark blast of the wind for a while. Really lovely end to a great day. Below two shots of la Coupee the first shows Romy and is looking towards Little Sark and the other looking in the opposite direction is of a man galloping his horse on it.
No cars are allowed on the island of Sark We caught a bizarre tractor drawn-bus up the hill and instantly found somewhere to eat. A nice chowder for Romy and me, apparently fantastic hamburgers for Mum and Mason, and scampi for Toby. From there we clambered on board a horse drawn cart (the horse was called Toby) and were driven around a bit. Apparently Toby the Horse and the Queen opened the island's single Doctor's surgery a few years ago. Cheery local woman guide who told us about the feudal system there, and some interesting facts about the island. Mason added that it had the best hamburgers to the list about the small population, the land split into 40 tenements, and so on.
Got off from time to time and wandered about. Mum finding a curiously huge white moth at one point which clung onto her finger. After an hour our tour was over, and we were delivered back to the centre.
Toby Romy and me then rented bicycles and zoomed about the island. Romy said she thought she was in a Famous Five adventure. We reached la Coupee, which is a bridge with a sheer drop on either side crossing over to Little Sark. Happily, I was immune from vertiginous feelings.
Cycled vigorously on till we reached La Sablonnerie where we went for yet another cream tea in the tea garden. Romy instantly fell in love with the place and said she wants to stay there next time. This tea absolutely perfect, and thanks to some various English eccentrics, it felt like being back in the 30s. We were served triangular cucumber sandwiches, a big pot of tea, six still warm scones, yellow butter and cream and strawberry jam. Fantastic.
After this we cycled down to look at the abandoned silver mines and the southern tip of the island walking on a path through thick bracken with two kestrels stationed in the air nearby. Looked out across at Jersey, which is best seen if you look at it through two fingers held vertically.
A fast cycle back, much of it uphill. And then meeting Mum and Mase we went down to the harbour on the back of the strange tractor bus. They'd bought Toby and Romy a present for their house. While on the tractor bus I got a text from work to say that we'd won the account I was writing the blog for.
Back on the Sark Venture, Toby and me sat outside in the back wearing our Tilleys against the rain. Got quite blowy and rainy as we neared Guernsey but I found this to be really exhilarating.
Finally beginning to become relaxed.
Made our way to a new Chinese restaurant called The Confucius, where there was some serious chopstick work done. Managed to outmanoeuver Romy to pay, and had a nice chat with the lady who was running it as we waited for the taxi to take us home. She gave us fortune cookies, mine said "You have many stories to tell" and so did Mason's.
Back to St Martin's and me and Toby sloped off to a slightly morgue-like Captains for a brace of Pony Ales and a good old chat about things. One thing that is quite upsetting is that Pony Ale is a Guernsey Beer, but it turns out this is now brewed by the crapauds in Jersey and exported back here. Is nothing sacred?
We then walked back in the seamisty dark towards my hotel. Suddenly in a few seconds the mist was gone and the night was clear again. We walked out to Icart point and stood in the dark blast of the wind for a while. Really lovely end to a great day. Below two shots of la Coupee the first shows Romy and is looking towards Little Sark and the other looking in the opposite direction is of a man galloping his horse on it.
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