Thursday, April 8, 2010

Pictures, and A Few Words


I confess. Until a few years ago, I was woefully ignorant about the Channel Islands - so ignorant, in fact, that I had mentally placed them in the wrong part of the English Channel. My thinking was since they're known as the Channel Islands, they must be in the English Channel. I was sure, if I looked on a map, I would find them skulking around the Isle of Wight.

Wrong.

This little group of islands are actually, just off the coast of France. There are five inhabited islands and four uninhabited tiny islets. The largest island, Guernsey, is the location of my second novel, tentatively entitled ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE, taking place during the early months of the German Occupation in 1940.

Here is its location on a map.
The Channel Islands came to Britain as part of William the Conqueror's legacy. Besides being William the Conqueror, he was also William, Duke of Normandy, and as such the islands were part of his territory. They have always enjoyed a rather odd relationship with Great Britain - they're part of Great Britain in a way - but not in others. For instance, Guernsey has its own currency and stamps, and although you can use British pounds in transactions on Guernsey, Guernsey pounds cannot be used in Britain. Another instance - all the Channel Islands are tax-free. However, if you're thinking of moving there - think again. It's incredibly tricky. These islanders aren't fond of outsiders and a non-Islander has to swim through red tape to set up residence.


Here are a few views of Guernsey.



Yes, there are palm trees.



The island is encircled with beaches, cliffs and caves.



A view of Guernsey's main city, St. Peter's Port.


Boats are for pleasure - and for work. That's Jethou (one of the islets) in the distance.

See you tomorrow.

P.S. Thanks to you who stopped by yesterday and left 'get well wishes'. I'm on the mend.

12 comments:

  1. Elspeth - Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better today. Those are lovely pictures you've shared with us, too : ). Guernsey is beautiful. I look forward to reading your stories...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend. :)

    Those pictures are lovely- I never would have guess palm trees!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loved the pictures too. I think the premise of your next novel sounds great.

    ann

    ReplyDelete
  4. Margot; Guernsey is a lovely spot, isn't it? Let's hope I can get to finishing at least one of these manuscripts soon!

    Stephanie; There's a tropical current that spins around the islands - hence the palm trees. Odd, isn't it?

    Ann; Thank you for your kind words. Let's hope my writing lives up to my premise.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better Elspeth. Keep taking care of yourself!

    Those islands are gorgeous - I thought they were farther north too. I would have never thought palm trees!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad you're better today, Elspeth. I enjoyed this post and the photos about Guernsey -- seems I'm finding all kinds of places in blogger world today that I want to add to my list of places to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad you're feeling better. Love the photos. It's like taking a mini vacation without all the trouble of airport check-ins. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jemi; I'm relieved to discover I'm not the only one that placed them in the wrong place. They do look lovely, don't they?

    Patricia; Guernsey is certainly on my list - research!

    Karen; My book takes place at the beginning - that wonderful book talks about the whole Occupation and especially the nightmare of the last year. It's one of my favourite books.

    Mason; I'm so glad you liked the photos. Easy travel today!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gorgeous photos!! One day...

    I'm glad you're beating the stomach flu. Flat Sprite or 7-up works well, too...

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful photos! There's too many nice places to visit and not enough time (or money).

    Hope you're 100% better soon. I agree with Elizabeth: 7-Up is the cure all. I like saltine crackers too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad you are on the mend. I hate spring attacks.
    These pictures are lovely - I REALLY want to go there now. Thanks - just what I need - more longing for the impossible!

    ReplyDelete
  12. As I have said before much of what we write about is in parallel.
    I am virtually certain I will write about the Channel Isles at some point.
    I have ancestors who came from the Channel Isles and some of their stories are simply to juicy to not turn into some kind of book.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a comment as I love to hear from you!