Looking around Guernsey 1972 – Part 7
Exploring inland
OF Guernsey's' ten parishes, nine have part of their boundary along the coast. The exception is St. Andrew's which, like the southern parishes, has innumerable green and leafy lanes winding between tiny hamlets, beckoning to be explored.
St. Andrew's is also the parish in which the privately run Guernsey Zoo is situated at La Villiaze. Since it was founded several years ago it has been expanded and improved. Emphasis has been laid on smaller animals of all kinds which are especially appealing to children.
There are many lovely walks to enjoy inland, as well as on the coast, but if you feel lazy you may prefer to join one of several island coach tours and an evening drives organized by local transport companies.
The regular bus services cover the whole island and are very frequent. Visitors continually remark on the friendliness and courtesy of the bus drivers, who are always ready to help you. You will find too that the comprehensive pocket time-table is useful as are a new set of Perry's guide maps, in booklet form.
You may hear people talking about the Water Lanes. They are a feature of the scenery which belongs to Guernsey alone. These rugged, picturesque lanes leading to the shore have a stream in their centre, and the cool water gurgles over smooth stones among luxuriant green ferns of rare and fresh beauty. The best-known Water Lanes are those at Moulin Huet and Petit Bat.
Exploring inland
OF Guernsey's' ten parishes, nine have part of their boundary along the coast. The exception is St. Andrew's which, like the southern parishes, has innumerable green and leafy lanes winding between tiny hamlets, beckoning to be explored.
St. Andrew's is also the parish in which the privately run Guernsey Zoo is situated at La Villiaze. Since it was founded several years ago it has been expanded and improved. Emphasis has been laid on smaller animals of all kinds which are especially appealing to children.
There are many lovely walks to enjoy inland, as well as on the coast, but if you feel lazy you may prefer to join one of several island coach tours and an evening drives organized by local transport companies.
The regular bus services cover the whole island and are very frequent. Visitors continually remark on the friendliness and courtesy of the bus drivers, who are always ready to help you. You will find too that the comprehensive pocket time-table is useful as are a new set of Perry's guide maps, in booklet form.
You may hear people talking about the Water Lanes. They are a feature of the scenery which belongs to Guernsey alone. These rugged, picturesque lanes leading to the shore have a stream in their centre, and the cool water gurgles over smooth stones among luxuriant green ferns of rare and fresh beauty. The best-known Water Lanes are those at Moulin Huet and Petit Bat.
A fascinating and unique chapel is situated at Les Vauxbelets. It is the smallest church in the world, having room inside for a priest and a congregation of two. Built beneath the trees beside a former Roman Catholic College, it was the life's work of one of the brothers, who decorated the entire surface, both inside and out, with shells and pieces of broken china. The sun, slanting through the trees, highlights the church in the clearing, and the effect is of an enchanted fairyland of multi-coloured mosaic. People who have visited this shrine, built in the style of our Lady of Lourdes, used to' send consignments of broken china from all over the world to decorate the church.
An interesting spot, if with somewhat macabre associations, is Bailiff's Cross, a crossroad where stands the Hangman's Inn. Lowering your gaze from the rather gruesome inn sign, you will notice a stone with a faint cross cut in it. This is the Bailiff's Cross Stone, where a Bailiff, Gaultier de la Salle, is said to have paused for the sacrament on his way to execution. Legend has it that Gaultier de la Salle, to resolve a dispute with a neighbour, (invented a charge of theft against him. The neighbour was arraigned before the Bailiff in court and was about to be sentenced when the Bailiff's treachery was discovered. Gaultier de la Salle was forced to change places with the accused and duly despatched to the gallows not far from this crossroad.
History, however, has a simpler explanation. It is that Gaultier de la Salle was sentenced for complicity in the murder of a man who had been pardoned for an accidental killing. None the less, the legend holds its own.
Colourful memories of Guernsey are provided 't ' by the island's beautiful gardens. Our mild climate coaxes all kinds of flowers to bloom which most amateur gardeners only dream about.
For horticulture on a grand scale, go up to Saumarez Park, once the home of an ancient Guernsey family, and now a hostel for old folk. Here you may stroll in the green parkland, beside the lily ponds with their quaint Japanese summer houses. Every year, Saumarez Park is the scene of the Carnival of the Battle of Flowers which is the highlight of a two-day horticultural and agricultural show. A parade of floats depicting all kinds of subjects and decorated with a profusion of glorious flowers, the "Battle" attracts over 20,000 spectators. Today the old custom of tearing the floats apart and pelting people with blooms has been dropped. Instead the prize-winning exhibits go on floodlit display.
Near Saumarez House is the Guernsey Folk Museum which is full of delightful treasures from the past. They depict the islanders' traditional way of life — particularly that of the cottagers. It has old farming equipment, carriages, a cider press and a replica of a Guernsey kitchen complete with spinning wheel, butter churn and furze oven.
An interesting spot, if with somewhat macabre associations, is Bailiff's Cross, a crossroad where stands the Hangman's Inn. Lowering your gaze from the rather gruesome inn sign, you will notice a stone with a faint cross cut in it. This is the Bailiff's Cross Stone, where a Bailiff, Gaultier de la Salle, is said to have paused for the sacrament on his way to execution. Legend has it that Gaultier de la Salle, to resolve a dispute with a neighbour, (invented a charge of theft against him. The neighbour was arraigned before the Bailiff in court and was about to be sentenced when the Bailiff's treachery was discovered. Gaultier de la Salle was forced to change places with the accused and duly despatched to the gallows not far from this crossroad.
History, however, has a simpler explanation. It is that Gaultier de la Salle was sentenced for complicity in the murder of a man who had been pardoned for an accidental killing. None the less, the legend holds its own.
Colourful memories of Guernsey are provided 't ' by the island's beautiful gardens. Our mild climate coaxes all kinds of flowers to bloom which most amateur gardeners only dream about.
For horticulture on a grand scale, go up to Saumarez Park, once the home of an ancient Guernsey family, and now a hostel for old folk. Here you may stroll in the green parkland, beside the lily ponds with their quaint Japanese summer houses. Every year, Saumarez Park is the scene of the Carnival of the Battle of Flowers which is the highlight of a two-day horticultural and agricultural show. A parade of floats depicting all kinds of subjects and decorated with a profusion of glorious flowers, the "Battle" attracts over 20,000 spectators. Today the old custom of tearing the floats apart and pelting people with blooms has been dropped. Instead the prize-winning exhibits go on floodlit display.
Near Saumarez House is the Guernsey Folk Museum which is full of delightful treasures from the past. They depict the islanders' traditional way of life — particularly that of the cottagers. It has old farming equipment, carriages, a cider press and a replica of a Guernsey kitchen complete with spinning wheel, butter churn and furze oven.
The Evening Scene
Guernsey does not pretend to have a big-city night life, but there is plenty to do in the evenings if you like shows, dancing, eating out or enjoying a drink in romantic settings. Local night life is friendly and informal in keeping with the island's character.
At the Little Theatre — up a flight of steps from the markets — a versatile repertory company puts on a different play every week, changing the programme mid-week to give visitors a chance of seeing two or three productions during their stay.
Britain's latest film releases are shown at the two cinemas — the Odeon in Upland Road and the Gaumont in St. Julian's Avenue. Late buses for cinemagoers run to most parts of the island.
Cabaret shows starring well-known mainland artistes are staged at several hotels. There is dancing every evening at many of the larger hotels together with late-night clubs and discotheques for the young and trendy. An all-family evening rendezvous is the tenpin bowling alley in First Tower Lane.
You can find out about the current events from the Guernsey Evening Press & Star or from the two holiday guides issued free to visitors, What's On and What Where When.
Guernsey's diners-out have a choice of at least 30 restaurants of varying price and style. The fame of some local restaurants has spread well beyond the island, and most of the better establishments feature local shellfish, island-grown vegetables and Guernsey cream on their menus. English and French cuisine predominate but there are also restaurants specialising in Italian and Chinese food.
It is in the friendly pubs that many visitors find the real flavour of Guernsey, meeting local characters and — in some of the country districts — hearing the Guernsey-French patois spoken. You will discover that Guernsey has a fascinating variety of pubs and bars from the sophisticated to the rustic. Many of them have wonderful sea views and others have equally picturesque inland settings.
Most of the draught and bottled beers served locally come from the island's two breweries. Connoisseurs say it is good stuff — but watch your head because it is probably stronger than your pint back home!
Guernsey does not pretend to have a big-city night life, but there is plenty to do in the evenings if you like shows, dancing, eating out or enjoying a drink in romantic settings. Local night life is friendly and informal in keeping with the island's character.
At the Little Theatre — up a flight of steps from the markets — a versatile repertory company puts on a different play every week, changing the programme mid-week to give visitors a chance of seeing two or three productions during their stay.
Britain's latest film releases are shown at the two cinemas — the Odeon in Upland Road and the Gaumont in St. Julian's Avenue. Late buses for cinemagoers run to most parts of the island.
Cabaret shows starring well-known mainland artistes are staged at several hotels. There is dancing every evening at many of the larger hotels together with late-night clubs and discotheques for the young and trendy. An all-family evening rendezvous is the tenpin bowling alley in First Tower Lane.
You can find out about the current events from the Guernsey Evening Press & Star or from the two holiday guides issued free to visitors, What's On and What Where When.
Guernsey's diners-out have a choice of at least 30 restaurants of varying price and style. The fame of some local restaurants has spread well beyond the island, and most of the better establishments feature local shellfish, island-grown vegetables and Guernsey cream on their menus. English and French cuisine predominate but there are also restaurants specialising in Italian and Chinese food.
It is in the friendly pubs that many visitors find the real flavour of Guernsey, meeting local characters and — in some of the country districts — hearing the Guernsey-French patois spoken. You will discover that Guernsey has a fascinating variety of pubs and bars from the sophisticated to the rustic. Many of them have wonderful sea views and others have equally picturesque inland settings.
Most of the draught and bottled beers served locally come from the island's two breweries. Connoisseurs say it is good stuff — but watch your head because it is probably stronger than your pint back home!
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