The
second largest of the Channel Islands, and the most Western (30 miles from
France and 125 miles south of England), Guernsey is approximately nine miles by
five miles wide in a triangular shape covering 24 square miles in area.
Amazingly there are 1,971 roads. The population is around 60,000. The mild
climate and around 2,000 hours of sunshine per annum, the island is the perfect
holiday resort. The summer of 2001 was the warmest since 1995 with the third highest average
minimum temperature, a maximum temperature of 28.4C and sunshine hours slightly
above the long term average.
Although
still famous for its tomatoes, Guernsey cows and Guernsey jumpers, the
main industry in Guernsey is now the offshore finance industry. Tourism and
horticulture come next followed by light industry. Hundreds of acres of
glasshouses were dedicated to tomato growing in the 1970s when 9 million trays
per annum were exported. Although the smaller plum tomatoes are still grown on a
small-scale, most glasshouses are now used to grow flowers, mainly freesias
roses and carnations.
Acres under glass have fallen from 1000 back in 1981 to half that amount by
1998. The largest crop produced is Freesias under 98 acres of glass followed by
Roses and Carnations. In 1998, 319,000 boxes of roses and 223,000 boxes of
freesias were exported. Tomatoes now account for just 28 acres a far cry from
the 1960s and early 1970s.
In
2000, around 55 per cent of the island's wealth is generated by the finance
industry. The non-clearing banks started to settle in Guernsey in the 1960s but
came in force in the early 1980s. There are now almost 80 banks registered in
Guernsey, most of these being subsidiaries of major international or UK banks.
Like
the other Channel Islands, Guernsey is self-governing and has been a Crown
dependency since 1066. Whilst the island is British, it is not part of the
United Kingdom and is the only and is only is only an associate of the EC.
English has only been the spoken language since the 1920s
since prior to this, the local language was Guernesaise. Its use however
diminished quite quickly as a result of the German occupation of 1940 to 1945 .
The dialect even varied between the various parishes as there appeared to be
very little mixing between folk of the parishes in centuries gone by.
The
geography of the island is quite varied with long sandy beaches on the west
coast rising to one hundred metre high cliffs along the south coast with a lot
of small coves and fishing ports. The East coast is dominated by the capital
town of St Peter Port which rises from the harbour and nestles on a steep cliff
like many French towns.
Lihou island is off the west coast at L'Eree and is worth a visit. Covering
just 18 acres, it is a pleasant tranquil place to walk and view the many species
of sea birds. There you will also find the remains of the 12th century Priory of
St Mary's and a watch tower used in past centuries by the Guernsey Militia.
The island is now owned by Guernsey and is restricted only by the tides. The
causeway to the island uncovers before and after low tide and so keep an eye on
the rising tide. Access times are announced daily on local radio.
Guernsey Beaches
Vazon
Bay. From end to end as the crow flies, Vazon bay is a mile long and is one of
Guernsey's most popular bathing resorts. It is the largest of the beaches in
Guernsey, popular with surfers, and holiday makers alike. During the summer
months, there are sand race meetings held, and on the Vazon coast road adjacent
to the beach, sprint race meetings.
Fermain
Bay. A pebble cove at the foot of a wooded valley it can be reached by cliff
path from the town or from Jerbourg. It can also be reached by road by turning
off from Fort road, opposite the Fermain Tavern. There is no car park here, but
this does not seem to deter most, as this is a beach where you can go for real
peace and quiet.
Saints Bay. Saints is
very beautiful and surrounded by tall cliffs. As these cliffs are south facing
this bay is wonderful in summer, providing shelter from the light westerly
breezes, with sunlight from due south! Saints Bay is reasonably well protected,
and even contains a tiny fisherman's harbour.
Portelet Beach. Nestling
at the south west tip of Guernsey, Portelet Beach is a secluded and beautiful
bay and is home to local fishing boats and ormer beds.
L'ancresse
Bay. L'ancresse is another popular beach. There is an old anti-tank wall that
provides shelter from the wind and a smooth surface on which to sunbathe. The
water is shallow, clear and warm especially on an afternoon tide. At both ends
of the beach there are kiosks where you can buy refreshments.
Cobo
Bay. This is a favourite spot for both residents and holiday makers alike. There
is excellent swimming and sunbathing here, as well as plenty of rocks to climb
and pools to explore. A board sailing school operates from here too.
Grandes Rocques Beach.
One of the largest beaches on the island, Grandes Rocques provides a huge area
of flat sand, stunning shore views, and gently shelving sand ideal for bathing.
Petit
Bot Bay. Here there is an eighteenth century defence tower, a tiny cottage and
the remains of a mill and water wheel, which has now been turned into a cafe.
Petit Bot offers fine sand with good sheltered sunbathing, and is one of the
most beautiful spots in Guernsey.
Rocquaine Bay: Two
fortresses overlook the bay from each end, which were adapted from Napoleonic
times by the German Occupying forces during the Second World War. This is a good
place on the island to go rock climbing, however people should be careful of the
tide turning, as it can return very fast leaving those unaware stranded on the
rocks.
