under another sun

A cool morning. Up early and after some urgent scampering about getting ready, we jumped in the car and drove off to Gatwick. The roads empty as it was a bank holiday. A prop plane which only slowly climbs to 16,000 ft. A pleasant enough journey, despite the knee pressing seats. I felt calm on the flight, although Lorraine felt a bit claustrophobic. Arriving in Guernsey in sunshine. A cheery lady taxi driver, and we were soon sitting outside the bar at the Barbarie. The entrance, bar and restaurant have all been redone. Quite smartly, but anonymously, in greys and topes and mushroom. They have stripped out quite a bit of what made it specifically La Barbarie. There are classical columns in the restaurant, what they are doing in a Guernsey country hotel is a bit questionable, and it is trying to be a bit Italianate, with a vinyl of an Italian maze in one part. When you are on the most beautiful corner of one of the most beautiful islands in the world, it does beg the question why not ...

Up early this morning, and Lorraine drove us off to Gatwick. Overcast day in Brighton. A queue at the Aurigny desk, as people had failed to get to Guernsey yesterday because of fog. One young chap was saying the had been circling for two hours. However everyone aboard today. The propellor plane held up on the runway for some time, and Lorraine and I started looking at Richard's collection Stone Witness again. I tucked it into the pocket once we were lumbering into the sky, and left it there when I got off, rather annoyingly. Once above the clouds a lovely smooth flight, and approaching the Channel Islands the blanket of cloud that had covered everything ended. Shortly after we landed the sun came out. A taxi to La Barbarie, and then we walked straight off to Icart. The cloud breaking up and the sun coming out, though shreds of misty cloud were still clinging on here and there.  Beautiful. Icart Point gorgeous as usual, and we sat on our usual bench in the sun. After a while we ...

Last day in Guernsey. Met up for an early breakfast. Lorraine and I both had strange stomachs after last night, but found ourselves able to fork down yet another breakfast with the others. We all split up to pack. Lorraine and I walked up near the Captains to photograph where Wendy had lived, and then back to walk to Icart to drink in the beauty one last time. The morning was beautiful and rainwashed. Then back to the Barbarie where we had an early lunch meeting Jade's mother Sian, and then Jade's Aunt Lynne. To Sian I gave a copy of A Guernsey Double , as it came out in our conversation. Fond farewells with Sam and Jade, and Sian -- then Lynne was kind enough to give us a lift back to the airport. She lives on the island and Sam and Jade and Sian were going to stay with her.  John had been on a walk on his own this morning, looking to find the water lanes again, which he fell in love with and cramming quite a few adventures in back from St Martin's village. A fairly un...

Up early and packing, as Lorraine and I hadn't managed that the night before. Then fond farewells to Pat and Maureen, Lorraine, Beth, John and myself made off to Gatwick in the car, as this was cheaper than training it there. At Gatwick Security Lorraine and I met Sam and Jade, and once through security (quite tight I think as there was some suspicious customer arrest at Gatwick that morning). I went to the flying horse for a pint with Lorraine, Sam and Jade. The flight over pleasant and we lucked out with the taxis too, getting one that fit us all in.  We all had nice rooms, Lorraine and I being upgraded and there was fudge and bubbly in each one. Warm welcome from Sally, and Andrew and Ravis and folks at the Barbarie. The lady driver listing the flowers that were coming out on the cliffs for us too as we drove. Into the Barbarie, and sat outside having a snack and a couple of pints. Then, after unpacking, all off to Icart. The was the big hit we wanted it to be, with all the ne...

As usual, sad to go from Guernsey. We self catered a large breakfast of eggs and fried tomatoes and toast, and packed up our stuff and left it at reception. A walk next. A grey, cloudy day, with a little drizzle from time to time, but nothing much. To Icart Point again. I was feeling weirdly vertiginous today, which wasn't good. But I still loved to lurk around looking out to sea, which was banded with dark blue and watching a kestrel quartering the clifftop for prey. Walked back along the road, then onto the cliff path opposite the Saints Bay Hotel, and then down the path to Saints Harbour. Here it started raining with a bit more enthusiasm and we were running out of time so we returned to La Barbarie for soup and I had a pint of bitter, and the ladies had cider. It is only a couple of days from the end of their season, and the staff were clearly done with the year. Still we were made to feel as welcome as usual. Then off by taxi, the same driver that picked us up at the air...