- Walk & island hop on Jersey, Guernsey & Sark, staying in hotels.
- Incredible coastlines, pretty ports & shaded lanes with hedges of wildflowers.
- Gardens overflowing with subtropical plants and a glorious array of bird life.
- The Jersey War Tunnels, a spooky, yet captivating WWII museum.
- Sample the traditional fruit loaf with lashings of golden Guernsey butter.
An island-hopping adventure, walking on the charming Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey and Sark whilst staying in cosy boutique hotels located in pretty port towns. These islands are graced with an intriguing blend of British and French influences and you will walk through a wide array of exquisite landscapes, that inspired the Impressionists. Golden sandy beaches and high cliffs, hidden valleys and woodlands, are all latticed with peaceful trails. During World War II these islands were the only parts of British soil to be occupied. The many museums on this topic highlight the fortitude of the islanders, who to this day, still govern themselves.
We enjoyed our evening discussing the various interesting aspects of the Channel Islands; the dramatic geographical features of beaches and cliff trails, fortifications created by the Germans using Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war and the dramatic causeway between Sark and Little Coupee. The huge attraction of the island for visitors on holiday and even the return of former German soldiers some who rekindled their relationship and remained there.
A particular book called ‘Living with the Enemy’ by Roy Mc Laughlan was used as a reference for what happened during the WW2 occupation. The interesting aspect of the Germans initial arrival was that they thought they had arrived in paradise and they tried to befriend the locals. In time relationships were strained, people were evacuated and never returned, food shortages affected everyone. Hitler was very keen to hold on to the Channel Islands because of their proximity to England. The book is a fascinating insight into what went on between 1940 and 1945. Life on Guernsey was not as pleasant as on Sark which was ‘protected’ by the brave stance of Dame Sibyl Hathaway.
Born in 1884, Sibyl Hathaway ruled as Dame of Sark for 47 years, until her death in 1974. Her tenure spanned the reigns of four British monarchs, as well as World War II and the German occupation of the Channel Islands.
We looked at the National Trust property once owned by Dame Sibyl Hathaway who played a large part in the negotiations and the favorable treatment of the locals of the island during the German Occupation. She managed the German officers by enforcing the Germans to follow proper etiquette, allowing her to control meetings and ensuring the German officers remained in good favor with her. She spoke German and was able to communicate clearly with them.
Another item of interest was St Matthews church in Jersey which is called the glass church
The Lalique Glass Church in Jersey! was connected to the wife of the gentleman who founded Boots the chemist. Lalique glass is also to be found at the Glen Turret distillery in Scotland
René Lalique, artisan extraordinaire and the foremost glassmaker of the age, decorated the entire church with his finest work. No similar Lalique commission survives anywhere else in the world today.
Today the church remains a sublime work of art, a unique monument to the talents of René Lalique and one of Jersey’s hidden treasures.
Two more interesting items followed before we attempted the Quiz.
There is a story of a boy from Horsham who survived falling into a bear pit.
Levan Merritt was five years old when he slipped into the pen at Jersey Zoo and was knocked unconscious, only to be saved by a giant male named Jambo who protected him from the other gorillas.
Our final item certainly helped when doing the quiz. This was a list of interesting facts prepared for the meeting.