St Peter Port and Home

The series of workshops now being over, I had a few hours to wander around St Peter Port before catching the ferry after lunch.  I've always liked the town, and it's sufficiently small that walking is the most sensible way of getting around.  What follows is a miscellany of shots from the morning.

It was then time to board the ferry and head back to Poole.  I'm always sad to leave Guernsey, and this had been a particularly enjoyable visit.  Huge thanks are due to Carl and Gill for running the "best hotel on the island", and to all the Guernsey photographers who made me feel so welcome.  I'll be back, whether you like it or not!

The last couple of pictures were taken from the ferry just before we docked in Poole.

It was then a three hour drive to Cambridge, followed by the dawning realisation that I needed to go to work the following morning.  Roll on retirement...

Poole to St Peter Port

After a stupidly early start from Southampton, it was all aboard the Condor Liberation for the 07:30 crossing from Poole to St Peter Port.  Suitably fortified by a bacon sandwich I went out on deck to take in the view.  It was blustery to say the least (the ferry travels at around 35 knots) and only two other people were brave (stupid?) enough to be outside.  As can be deduced from the pictures, although the sun was shining it certainly wasn't warm!

Most happy snappers decided to stay inside and shoot through the windows from the comfort of the lounge.

Those who know me will be aware of my penchant for interesting signage.  Condor Ferries clearly employed someone with both imagination and a sense of humour to design theirs.

One advantage of sailing early was that we had arrived in St Peter Port by just after 10:30.  An easy and pleasant crossing, leaving us plenty of time to go exploring in the afternoon.

St Peter Port Town Church

Initially, when I went into the St Peter Port Town Church, it was a haven of peace.  It was also cool, unlike outdoors which was quickly heating up in the warm sun.  Another chance to practise my neophyte HDR skills, although the very high contrast range makes it difficult to achieve a natural result.  I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the best HDR images are made on dull days, both indoors and out.

Not sure why I used the fisheye in the church, other than it already being on the camera.  With hindsight I'd probably have been better with the 17-40, but it's a bit late to go back now!

A few more people came into the church, so I decided to beat a hasty retreat.  It turned out to be not quite so hasty, in fact, as a person came in carrying a kind placard on a stick, closely followed by dozens of Germans in close-packed sheep formation.  Presumably a cruise ship had just disgorged its contents into the town, and this was one of the organised tour groups.  Eventually, when all the sheep were safely lined up to listen to their leader's spiel, I managed to slip out unnoticed.

St Peter Port Harbour

Our last full day in Guernsey was probably the best as far as the weather was concerned.  Warm sun, but with a gentle cooling breeze off the sea, fluffy white clouds, and very clear.  I spent the morning wandering around the harbour in St Peter Port taking pictures.  To give a sense of the place, here is a panorama taken from one of the jetties.

Guernsey is clearly a play area for rich people, given the number of luxury boats in the harbour and the preponderance of "Wealth Management" companies.

By this point is was starting to get busy - and warm - so I decided to head into the Town Church to escape from the crowds and cool down.  I couldn't resist my favourite blue postbox before doing so, however.

More pictures to follow of the church interior...

St Peter Port

A few pictures taken in St Peter Port, the capital of the island (or, simply, "Town" as it's known by the locals). It was busy, partly because an enormous cruise ship had just disgorged dozens of Americans onto the streets, and partly because it is the Carnival this week.
 

I know this is false-colour infra-red, but the post boxes really are blue.  The telephone kiosks are yellow too, as will be proved later!

 

 

I was amused to notice that the ferry for Herm (a trip planned for later during our stay) departs from the Cambridge steps.

 

A couple of pictures to prove that photographers can find decay and detritus wherever they go...

Finally, the evidence that you've all been waiting for (and, NO, it hasn't been Photoshopped).

Told you!