Has anyone visited Guernsey the Channel Island of my birth?

[Roses]

I spent the first 19 years of my life in Guernsey, the very best of the Channel Islands, in my prejudiced opinion.

I was born in 1950, the Germans had occupied the Channel Islands,  13 of them lived in our house. Although WW2 was over it was very much an issue for much of my childhood.

If any of you have visited Guernsey I would be interested to know your opinion of my home island?

[Nearly Sane]

I've only been to the Channel Islands twice. Both about 25 years ago with work on Guernsey and Jersey. Both times had the long exhausting plane ride between the 2. They were pretty but an odd mix between tourism and banking. That combined with their location near France, the rather odd constitutional settlement, which was the reason for the banking, they had a sort of unreal air.

Preferred Guernsey of the 2. Had some good meals but haven't felt much inclination to return, since if I'm going that far lots of France is as easy to get to and is cheaper.

[Roses]

I've only been to the Channel Islands twice. Both about 25 years ago with work on Guernsey and Jersey. Both times had the long exhausting plane ride between the 2. They were pretty but an odd mix between tourism and banking. That combined with their location near France, the rather odd constitutional settlement, which was the reason for the banking, they had a sort of unreal air.

Preferred Guernsey of the 2. Had some good meals but haven't felt much inclination to return, since if I'm going that far lots of France is as easy to get to and is cheaper.

What work did you do? My childhood home, Les Lohiers, was at the top of St Saviours, not far from the Anglican church.

[Nearly Sane]

What work did you do? My childhood home, Les Lohiers, was at the top of St Saviours, not far from the Anglican church.

Oddly enough I was working for a bank at the time, hence the prominence of banking in my memory. I dodn't really get any chance to explore the islands.

[SteveH]

No. The only places outside Great Britain I've ever been to are the Isles of Skye, Wight and Anglesey, and France, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Italy (on a school trip when I was 13).

[Roses]

Oddly enough I was working for a bank at the time, hence the prominence of banking in my memory. I dodn't really get any chance to explore the islands.

May one ask which bank? My youngest sister,  who still lives in Guernsey, used to be a bank manager when the HSBC was known as the Midland Bank

[Nearly Sane]

May one ask which bank? My youngest sister,  who still lives in Guernsey, used to be a bank manager when the HSBC was known as the Midland Bank

Then, Royal Bank of Scotland

[Sebastian Toe]

Not Guernsey but you reminded me of a holiday in Jersey in 1964 when I was seven.
Four outstanding memories from that time my first flight,  the German hospital,  sunstroke and nearly drowning!
Quite eventful!

[Roses]

Not Guernsey but you reminded me of a holiday in Jersey in 1964 when I was seven.
Four outstanding memories from that time my first flight,  the German hospital,  sunstroke and nearly drowning!
Quite eventful!

I am so sorry you had such an unpleasant Channel Island experience as a child.

My English mother took me on a trip to the UK in 1952 when I was two. One of my main memories was going on a train. When we stopped at a station Mum pointed out the man standing on the platform waiting to get on the train. It was Winston Churchill.

[Nearly Sane]

I am so sorry you had such an unpleasant Channel Island experience as a child.

My English mother took me on a trip to the UK in 1952 when I was two. One of my main memories was going on a train. When we stopped at a station Mum pointed out the man standing on the platform waiting to get on the train. It was Winston Churchill.

I believe Churchill used to tell that same story

[Harrowby Hall]

Apart from time spent changing planes at the airport, I have never been to Guernsey. I have, however, had close family living in Jersey for about 20 years and have visited the island many times.

A couple of anecdotes.

1

St George and St Patrick decided to take a holiday in Guernsey. On their arrival they were met by one of the locals who complained about a surfeit of toads on the island and asked St George if he could do anything about it. His reply was that his specialism was dragons and that he had no idea how to deal with toads. So St Patrick was reminded about his expulsion of snakes from Ireland - surely he could deal with toads. All he had to do was dump them on that rock on the south eastern horizon.

In both London and St Helier there is a place called Charing Cross where there is a column crowned with a statue. The one in London supports a statue of Lord Nelson the on in St Helier bears a toad.

The Jersey toad is a unique species and is supported by vigorous conservation activity.

2

On my first visit to Jersey I was asked by a native what was my perception of the island. I replied that in many respects I thought that Jersey was like England was twenty years ago. He replied that I should visit Guernsey. It is like Jersey was twenty years ago.


Guernsey people call Jersey people "toads". Jersey people call Guernsey people "donkeys".

[Roses]

I am definitely a Guernsey donkey, 'Cor but yes eh lah!" As my Great Aunt Mabel, would have said. My mother expected me to speak good English, which has stood me in good stead. However,  I would put on the Guernsey accent from time to time, which was guaranteed to wind Mum up!