Day 15 St Peter Port and Grandes Rocques
It was incredibly windy overnight and we didn’t sleep well. Rain was forecast for the whole of today with strong winds turning to gale force by early evening but contrary to the forecast, it did stay dry and often sunny. When the sun was out it was very warm even in the wind.
We decided to get the bus to St Peter Port. We first walked along the harbour and up to the lighthouse and watched the 10.35 ferry from Herm battling the waves to get into Guernsey Harbour.
We then walked some of the back streets of the south of the town to see some of the houses that are visible in the hillside from the harbour. We first walked up Cornet Street where all the houses are old and at least 3 storeys high. The guidebook had mentioned 26 Cornet Street as an 18th century shop with shopkeepers dressed in period costumes but unfortunately was shut for the season. It is also the base for National Trust Guernsey.
There were some very unique structures and buildings in this area
Fuirther up the hill we found the street called Hauteville. Two houses reference Victor Hugo. Hugo was exiled from France in 1852 for political reasons and went to Jersey. He was then exiled again in 1855 for criticising Queen Victoria so he came to Guernsey. There is one small house at no 20 Hauteville (Hauteville Feerie) which has a plaque saying it was Hugos first residence in Guernsey from 1855 - 1856 and then a little further up the hill is a much bigger, grander residence called Hauteville House (38 Hauteville) where he lived from 1856 – 1870 and from where he wrote “Les Miserables” and other works. This building houses the Victor Hugo museum but again it was closed for the winter.
We walked back going down one of the towns many sets of steps which link the streets on the steep hillside together and had our lunch overlooking the harbour.
After browsing around shops again we caught the bus back to the hotel and set off to explore the Grandes Rocques fortification just across the road which we hadn’t been to so far. We climbed to the top for some great views of the surrounding beaches.
We went back to the hotel late afternoon and stayed there. The storm started at 5.00 with much higher winds and lashing rain. We ate in the hotel and had an early night.
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