under another sun

Up for a full Guernsey Breakfast, and then contemplated what to do. It was a cool but sunny day, and Lorraine and I decided to go down to Moulin Huet bay. However as we walked down Moulin Huet valley we began to realise the tide would be fairly high, and suddenly opted instead for a cliff walk to Jerbourg. We mooched steadily along taking moments to stop and sit and stare at the beautiful cliffs, and look at all the flowers. It was such a nice time. When we reached Jerbourg, we went to the kiosk and had a couple of pieces of toasted gâche and some teas and cold drinks. From there we walked back until we cut in from the main road to walk along the paths to the wishing well.  A big building job was going on there, however, and the well was dry. Tried not to read too much into the wishing well being dry, however the water was still flowing down the waterlane and it was still beautiful. I did my wish a bit further along as the stream fell towards the top of Moulin Huet. From there we...

Gathered for our Full Guernsey Breakfasts this morning. Some of us, feeling wan and hungover, but a huge breakfast did a lot to help his. Then all off down to Moulin Huet, where the beach was empty and beautiful. The sea must have been rough lately as there was little sand, and rock structures under the sand were revealed. To Lorraine and my satisfaction, the others falling under its spell right away.  Beth and John scrambling up rocks and into caves, and Sam and Jade leaping towards the sea in a way that made me think of E.H. Shepard drawings for Winnie the Pooh. Jade re-emerging later with bright pink feet having zoomed into the water. Beth proud to have scaled some big rocks with John. I kept an eye on the turning tide having visions of them stranded there. I must be getting old. After some time here, we walked back into St Martins to La Gran'mère du Chimquière. However there were two vans parked by it, and states workmen there packing up. Luckily the much missed Croix Guerin ...

Cloudy and spitting with rain this morning. Lorraine and I outside however, Lorraine determinedly sitting on the sun lounger under the clouds. Obviously as this was a holiday, I was contacted about work from my French clients and about the pitch. Had a stroll around St Martins, calling in on La Gran'mère to say hello, and miraculously seeing her without the obligatory white van parked in front was a pleasure. Then ambled about and walking down the lane opposite the corner of Les Douvres and finding new little pathways. Back to La Barbarie, where we then arranged to meet Richard at Icart. The Icart outdoor cafe becoming increasingly Alice in Wonderland with the owner being as chatty and personable as ever, and his gardens already strange with tall echiums, now with twisty paths and nooks to sit in. Here we met Richard, leaving Holly in the van, and drank a coffee and Lorraine and I  ate a slice of Guernsey gâche. Very good to see Richard again, and discuss wide ranging subjects su...

A kippery breakfast for me, and a haddocky one for Lorraine. After a slow start and, with a moment's sad pause, asking Lorraine to apply sunblock to the area of concern we ambled down towards Moulin Huet again, but turned onto the cliff path to Jerbourg. Another stunning, almost painfully beautiful day as we wended around the coastline looking down on the blue water and out at the cloudless sky. Once at Jerbourg we had some much-needed tea from the kiosk and then walked smartly to Icart on the roads, admiring the gardens en route. Arriving there an hour later (somewhat footsore) we met Richard and Jane, and Holly the dog . We went to the tea garden, for helpings of Guernsey gâche and carrot cake. The mad-hatterish theme maintained as we poured our teas only to discover that the pot contained a rogue peppermint bag too. A happy hour chatting with Richard and Jane in the sun. I wish this was something we could do once a week. Kindly dropped off back at La Barbarie, but the bar su...

Up early and packing in a flap, before cabbing to Brighton station. A Flybe jet to Guernsey and only 40 minutes in duration. L and I had taken the sensible precaution of a gin and tonic in the Flying Horse in Gatwick so the flight was fine. Arrived at the Barbarie in no time, the taxi driver totally taciturn. After a warm welcome and soup and sandwiches in the bar, we made off to Icart Point. By now the day had become utterly beautiful. Because of the long cold winter delaying blooming, now the sun has arrived the cliffs were jostling with colourful wild flowers. This is what my heaven looks like. Lorraine and I sat on a bench looking west towards Petit Port. Lorraine crying as she loves the place so much. It was then because I can't imagine life without Lorraine I suggested we get married. Lorraine agreed, swayed by the powerful logic of the idea. As we were looking out to sea, feeling rather pleased with ourselves and distinctly romantic, three Germans with monstrous cameras ...

Divebombed into wakefulness by hungry cats at what seemed the unspeakably early hour of eight o'clock. Lovely springlike day, with the sound of amplified encouragement of marathon runners coming from the park. Having fed the weasels, made tea, and put two extra cups in a flask, simply went back to bed. L got up later and made us some breakfast, and we stayed in bed for a long time. Gradually up enough to go shopping (where I grabbed some curly kale, which the optician said was the single best thing for eye health) walked through the busy park to visit to the sunlit walled garden, Lorraine moving from shrub to shrub loving all the springlike burgeoning). Also watched the second half of Chelsea versus Manchester City in the FA cup semifinal. Chelsea lost 2-1 despite them dominating the second half, scoring and playing with fluency, invention. A thoughtful text from Anton afterwards. After fortifying slices of Guernsey Gâche (kindly brought over by Jane) and a cup of splosh we the...

Lorraine has a scamper A slow start for us this morning, but thankfully not too worse for wear after Jane and Richard's wedding. Feeling free as birds, walked down towards Saints Bay and took the cliff path off to Moulin Huet. Totally gorgeous day again. Very sunny and warm, and almost nobody about apart from two cheery but efficient German hikers. We went down to Moulin Huet, which was stretching itself out to its fullest sandy extent. Wandered about happily, paddling and looking at things and listening to the quiet. Lorraine however decided that she wanted to see if she could run again, and joyfully bounded up and down the beach in the water looking delighted, and explaining that it had broken through something in her. Eventually we scrambled up to the tea rooms which seem to have reopened, and had tea and an exemplary slice of Guernsey Gâche with thick Guernsey butter in the sun looking down at the bay. In the evening after the kind of doze you have after having a long walk in t...

To Guernsey A final faff about to remove the worst of the debased tat and rubbish for Matt and Wayne, who are catsitting Calliope. Then I met Lorraine at Brighton station and we trained up to Gatwick. Once through security, Lorraine floating about the shops for a bit, whereas I headed straight to the bar to attend to a cheeky. Flight pleasant and fast, and Guernsey sunnier than England. Took a cab to the La Pompe appartments, which are very close, and I was delighted at how lovely and spacious our one was, and cheaper than a week at La Barbarie. This was just across the road from La Villette and so very close to home turf for me. There was a loaf of bread and some Guernsey butter there, of which we ate a few slices for lunch. I'd forgotten how the butter here is creamy, salty and very yellow, and this mixed with cups of tea, with sugar and the creamy milk reminded me of what tea tasted like when I was a child. Later Lorraine and I walked to Icart, where we had a slice of buttered g...

A Guernsey moot Lorraine up early and off to the airport. No fog today, which was a boon. I made my way downstairs and tucked into a full Guernsey breakfast, then went for a walk for a couple of hours. Leaving some flowers at the Grandparent's grave, I'd bought them from Brouard's on Saints Road, which has been there a good deal longer than I have. Noticed Sadie's (my Grandparent's sister-in-law) gravestone had been added since I was last there. Then I collected my case from the hotel and bussed into town, meeting Catriona and Richard in Hojos. Catriona always makes me feel cheery for some reason, and not just because she bought five of our books. Some exciting stuff in the Guernsey pipeline. After, R and I mooched into town, where we had a meeting with a man in a bank, who had strong opinions about literature. The evening given over to Le Vieux Marché in Saumarez Park. About five and a half thousand people attended, and a good deal of creaky Guernsey dancing, queui...