And finally....

Having had my hearing cleansed I returned to view one last exhibit, a fabulous Griffon engine out of a fighter plane.

Next to it were torpedoes

their workings exposed. Seemed strange to be looking at valves and wiring in an age of computer mounted surface componants.

Yep, in my mind a morning very well spent.

Walked back at double speed to have lunch in the Thai place then back to my room to get scribing. 

Tomorrow we leave around midday so slow, gentle end to a lovely week. Will be looking again at Spain escorted tours, level 1as you get one hotel, half day excursions and plenty of free time.

Only thing I'd ask is, can I have a mini fridge please, window ledges don't quite cut it. 

Last full day and off to Castle Cornet

Set amongst modern day sailing boats and ferries, Castle Cornet is considered a very good example of a Napoleonic fort turned into a WW2 garrison.

Both first and second World War memorabilia is housed here with personal experiences of those who fought and lived to tell the tale. 

Both harrowing and heart warming, the stories told of the bravery amongst the Guernsey men who went to fight and how so many were lost in some of the bloodiest battles.

Much of the remnants of the German occupation can be seen around including the girls names given to each of their guns. 

Steps are everywhere taking you up to gun emplacements and down to ordinance storage. Tunnels from the original construction blending into the later, concrete additions of the invading army.

We listened to the noontime salute across the bay; a small electrically detonated blank of wadding. It looked, for all intent and purpose like it was set by a charge from the rear. Beautifully done.

I then spied one of the larger ferries coming in, possibly France or perhaps Jersey. It didn't stop long, enough time to unload, reload and leave. Quite a sight from the ramparts.

Officially we went and saw an exhibition

The trip today was to Candie Gardens up on the ridge and visit the art exhibition there. It was the first time many of Renoir's paintings (produced during 1883) were being shown together on the island and the press had awarded the exhibition 5 stars.

One of the paintings has stirred much controversy as it is attributed to be a view in France but looking at it, it's pretty obvious it's a view in Guernsey. The scholars are mulling over the evidence, tee hee.

Having entertained myself there for an hour (that's all you were alloted) I wandered back into town.

Parts of me are seriously arguing so I'm resting for the remainder of the day.... however...before then...

I sauntered along to the lighthouse pier and dipped my toe in the water off the end of one of the slipways. Cool yes, but not that bad. It made me realise what has been missing this holiday, so many beaches, so much sea, and I've not stopped and sat on any of them. I need a beach!!

Yes, I got that close. He just watched me and allowed me to get this shot.

Looking back along the pier at St Peter's Port through the plethora of small boats.

For reference, a 3-bed semi is £1,250,000. Mm, somewhat outside my price bracket. 

Sitting by the dock on the bay...

It's fairly early and most people are still having breakfast. I've already been to Boots, checked there's sushi (yep), bought plasters (seems my horse mullered toe has been burrowing into the next one) and picked up cold sore cream (yep, falling apart at the seams as always).

I decided to sit in a small garden overlooking Herm when a lady in a dark blue denim dress came and sat down not far from me. She reminded me of me in my 30s in so many ways; she wore patent high heel shoes, a midi length dress, carried a leather cartridge style handbag and sat down to watch the world and have a cigarette. Apart from the phone in her hand it seemed so familiar.

A day on Sark

As we rounded the far side of the island the lighthouse came into view warning vessels of the treacherous nature of the waters round here.

Hop on the tractor-towed open carriage and we were taken up the steep slope to the village.

The roads are two carts wide and the only traffic you hear is the clip clip of horses and tractors moving things from one place to another. Roads themselves are surfaced specifically for horse transport, accommodating their need for non slippy surfaces. No cars, no vehicles on Sark and its so peaceful.

Bicycles are a firm favourite for locals and you often pass them lying against the hedge where they've been left.

The scenery is magnificent With France, Aldernay and Jersey visible one side whilst Herm and St Peter Port lie on the other. It's only when you stand and look out, you realise just how close France really is.

a small quarry where all things solid, like rubble and old brickwork,  gets broken up and reused. It's hard to tell if there is any quarrying per say, but the area at least is still in use.

I can never resist a fishing boat and this one, sitting out the water in the smallest working dock in GB, was just itching to be photographed. 

A lovely day. Now back, tired and ready for rest. Maybe a shower and a wander to the livingroom; catch up with some of the others in the group.

I know it's a poor picture, but...

The sky this morning is amazing and yes, that is just how bright it was. I took it through two layers of glass - my bedroom window.

Within about 5 minutes it had started to take on a golden glow which was also amazing. I couldn't see the sun however, as it was hidden by the house on the right.

A free day so we all went to Herm

A little piece of paradise off the French coast called GB. With blue seas and Mediterranean plants its hard to imagine we're only 55mins flight from Gatwick.

Herm is beautiful. One side is low lying and covered in sand dunes, the other high clifftops with goat-like tracks. 

Two very contrasting vista's, both of are which marvellous to walk. 

The cliff edge walk did get hairy from time to time and required all our focus to stay on the path and not fall over the edge. Rough rock out cropped along the way making walking hazardous; inclines were narrow, steep and very uneven, steps treacherous but we made it.

The views were well worth it though.

How's this for a jail?

Yep, a jail for one! We all pondered as to what crime one had to commit to get in there. Murder? Not really enough people. Theft? Only one house and how would you get the stuff off the island anyway. Poaching? For what? Rabbits? 

Pass. None of us could better drunken disorderly and afraid of facing the wife!

The plant life was exotic as expected. 

It was clear the temperature had a controlled window with maximums of low 30°C to never below 0°C. All of what is shown here just grows in borders. At home, I would be putting all this into the greenhouse and when really cold, the livingroom!

Yep, a great day but now happy to have my feet up back at the hotel. A long soak in a bath awaits. Now that is bliss. 

A wobbly beginning but improved with paracetamol

Today we had a trip around the island stopping off at various locations. Our driver was excellent and gave us a wonderful commentary about all the island's history etc.

Our first stop was at a tiny chapel out in the middle of nowhere. It was built by an order of Brothers. There's a long story behind it which was fascinating. Too long for here but well worth the listen.

The brother in charge of building it was a good business man and got all the materials for free. The staircase up to the chapel was donated by Wedgwood! On the riser of one of the steps was the Wedgwood name; a clever piece of advertising there.

German fortifications are everywhere. In fact the islands bristled with lookout posts, gun emplacement and search light posts. Most were old Marcello towers taken over by concrete additions.

The north of the island is very different from the south, one on high cliff tops the other, low lying fields. Around one bay alone there were 5 gun emplacements.

It was a lovely morning and getting back I hightailed it up to M+S to grab some lunch.

I sat watching the long queue of people attempting to return to the 4000 strong MSC cruise ship lying out in the bay. Not only did they have to face customs check but quite a healthy tender to get back on board.

I sat and leisurely ate a late lunch of sushi. Lovely.

Yesterday? Oh not again!

I'm not quite sure when the migraine began but the previous evening I began to hallucinate by 9pm.

Retiring to bed I remember little until the early hours of the morning when I opened my door and slipped the "Do Not Disturb" sign over the handle.

Sickness and head pain took off onto another level and I remember little of yesterday at all.

Today?

Shakey but up, dressed and had some breakfast. I will go on the island bus tour. If I fall asleep, well......