Sark, part one

Sark is one of those places I've always wanted to visit.  Perhaps it's the quiet island life, or the complete lack of cars?  Whatever it is, we decided to take a day trip to have a closer look. The first few pictures are of the harbour in St Peter Port.  There was an enormous cruise ship anchored in the bay, and we saw several of its little ferry boats (which look like inter-galactic escape pods).

 

Arrival on Sark is around a wooded headland on which is positioned a lighthouse.  The island is clearly much bigger than Herm, but also much hillier and more covered in trees.

The final few pictures are waiting to disembark onto the island, followed by the "welcome" tunnel which everyone needs to walk through.

Watch out for the next, thrilling instalment of our trip to Sark...

Trip to Herm

We decided to go on a trip to Herm, which is only 20 minutes away from St Peter Port by ferry.  It was a Sunday morning, and everything was pretty peaceful waiting for the boat to depart until - out of nowhere - a "fire & brimstone" evangelical preacher appeared on the quayside.  He proceeded to recite sections of Genesis to the assembled multitudes in an exceedingly monotonous voice.  I've included the close crop of his pictures to show the resolving power of the L series lenses (the first shot is full frame).

The Herm folk are very polite: I've never been called "genteel" by the natives before!  I've also included a picture of the latest must-have beach gadget: a bomb which whistles as it flies through the air.  A bit close to the bone, perhaps, given the Channel Islands' recent history, but fun to play with nevertheless.

No sooner had we arrived on Herm than the fog descended.  The Eastern side of the island was clear, though, and bathed in glorious (hot) sunshine.

 

 The final two shots are of an Anthony Gormley statue which has recently been placed high on a rocky outcrop.  Needless to say, it was a magnet for visitors.

Sausmarez, Fermain and Pleinmont

The manor house in St Martin (Sausmarez) hosts a weekly farmers' market.  Fabulous fresh produce: particularly the vegetables and fish, which were precious little use to us as we're staying in a hotel.  Here are a few pictures taken during the morning's proceedings.

Then, following a tip off from Jan Trestain, a local photographer who's been helping me during my trip, we walked down a steep and winding path to the superb beach cafe at Fermain.  A truly excellent place, serving crab sandwiches to die for.  It was improved by essentially being inaccessible to cars (unless you count the idiot Brits who decided to ignore the no entry and permit holders only signs).  The only downside was the long walk back up the hill and back to the hotel, but at least I was able to stop and take a few pictures on the way.

Being gluttons for punishment (it was hot and very sunny) we took the bus to Portelet harbour and walked around the Pleinmont peninsula.  The main landmark was Pezerie fort, dating from Napoleonic times, but commandeered by the Germans during WWII.  Not many people were out (unsurprising, given the heat) and those which were tended to be on the beach or swimming in the sea.

As before, I thought I'd end today's post with one of those strange signs I find occasionally.  There's clearly a very useful information centre, but it seems one isn't actually allowed to go there (except on foot, of course).