Day 16 South Guernsey
The winds eased overnight but it was a mix of sunshine and showers when we got up. We started the day at St Peters Port and had a short walk around the shops until it became a lot brighter and more blue sky appeared.
We then drove to the Jerbourg peninsular on the south eastern corner of Guernsey where there is an observation platform looking down to a rocky outcrop with St Martins Lighthouse at the end. This was a very small lighthouse which looked more like a concrete box. We could have walked to the lighthouse but there were a lot of very uneven steps down and the path and steps were quite muddy and slippery from the overnight rain. so we decided against it.
It was very sunny so we had our lunch and coffee on a seat in the car park before returning to the Little Chapel. Although we had already visited here earlier in the week, it had been raining so was nice to see it in the sunshine. This time there were a herd of Guernsey cows in the field opposite so Paul went to meet them.
We then visited some Gold and Silver workshops although didn’t buy anything, (except for a Guernsey Ice Cream each) – the prices were extortionate.
Then it was back to the hotel via the supermarket to get bits for the next few days lunch. We again ate in the hotel tonight.
A few interesting facts about Guernsey:
Like Jersey, Guernsey have their own banknotes and coins but unlike Jersey, Guernsey still use £1 notes.
No-one wears masks in Guernsey. They are not required on transport (except Condor Ferries) or in shops or public places. Almost all of the islanders have had both doses of the vaccine and all visitors must be double jabbed. We have quickly got used to not wearing masks and it will be difficult to adapt to UK rules when back home.
Driving here is a bit different from home. The max speed limit is 35mph and 25mph or less in towns and residential areas. At some junctions they have a “filter in turn” system. A yellow box is painted on the road and you take it in turns to move into the box. This avoids long queues building up in any of the roads leading to the junction. Drivers are extremely courteous. Even on main roads, if you are waiting to turn out of a street at a T junction, they will stop and let you out. The same for pedestrian’s. If you are waiting to cross the road they will stop and wave you over even if they have no cars behind them. The roads here are narrow and often there is not enough room for 2 cars to pass, let alone buses and vans. When this happens on a main road, cars are allowed to mount the pavement to make room. We first noticed this on the bus when the driver kept driving onto the pavement to allow room for passing cars.
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