It was nice to be able to speak the local language fluently - Exploring Guernsey & Sark in the Channel Islands (7/16-7/22/13)

Europe » Channel Islands » Guernsey » St Peter Port
July 22nd 2013

Published: August 7th 2013

For those of you that only know of the Channel Islands off the coast of California, the ones we sailed to are located 10-30 miles to the northwest of France. The Channel Islands have a very interesting and unique history. When the Normans first controlled Normandy, currently part of France, the Channel Islands were part of Normandy and thus belonged to the Duke of Normandy. In 1066 when the Norma... Read Full Entry

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Bob & Janice Waller

s v Tsamaya

Like so many others we love to travel and we love to sail so cruising makes a lot of sense. Janice has retired from Cornell as a business manager and Bob has retired from South Seneca school district as the high school principal. It's time to sell the house, get rid of whatever doesn't fit on our 40 foot Caliber LRC named Tsamaya (this means Travel Well in Setswana) and set off to see the world. Our reasons for publishing this blog is twofold, first to keep in touch with our friends and family and secondly to share our experiences. If you would like to receive notification when we have added ... full info

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St. Peter's Church on Sark

Our first Anglican church we visited was this one built in 1821.

A Clever Way to Raise Money

Families could fund a "private" pew with their own designed needlepoint cushion.

Even Prisoners Can Go to Church

It was interesting to see that there had been a prisoner’s pew set up in the church on the island of Sark. Note the needlepoint key pattern on the seating.

Not Much Crime Here?

This prison on Sark has been used since 1856 and still only can accommodate 2 prisoners.

Peaceful Sark

A few of the peaceful scenes we saw while riding our bikes around the island of Sark. Much of the land was for agricultural purposes including wheat, corn, apples, and grapes.

Race Card

Getting into see the sheep race was free, but you could buy a race card for 1 euro. They had a “bookie” to take bets on the race. All the funds go to charity so it was all in great fun.

Who To Bet On?

They must spend all year thinking up the names for the sheep that race each year – some are quite clever, others are “groaners”, but all fun.

The Main Event on Sark

The sheep race was the event of the weekend on Sark when we were there.

Who Is the Winner?

The red jockey is in the lead and in fact he won this particular race. They ran faster than we expected. Guess we haven’t been around sheep enough to have known.

Was it a Bet that made him do it?

There were a few that were dressed up in costume – this one was definitely anxious to have his photo taken so we obliged.

Thatch Roof

We haven’t seen many houses with thatched roofs like this one.

Flowers Add Alot

The homes on Sark are built of granite, but add color by using flowering plants.

The Local Hotel & Restaurant

This place was very busy with people having their full English breakfast when we came into town on Sark after arriving on the ferry.

Little Sark is Connected to Sark

Little Sark had been a separate island years ago, but is now connected to Sark which you can walk over to – what the views!

Captain was Retired Lifeboat Captain

We were in safe hands - the seas got rough while on Sark, but we were in safe hands going back to Guernsey from Sark.

Notice the Stairs

Notice the stairs on the other side of the bridge that were put in by volunteers to get down to a small beach located between Sark and Little Sark.

The Stairs Lead to This Beach

A few of the Vineyards

There is quite a bit of agriculture use on Sark including these fairly new vineyards.

No. 38 Hauteville

Victor Hugo’s home is quite plain on the outside and a surprise inside.

Victor Hugo Lived in Guernsey

Victor Hugo, a famous French poet and writer was exiled from France and as a result lived and worked in Guernsey for many years.

Use of Dishes

Victor Hugo used commonly used objects in different ways. Here dishes are used to decorate the ceiling of this room.

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It was nice to be able to speak the local language fluently - Exploring Guernsey & Sark in the Channel Islands (7/16-7/22/13)

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