Byways or the scenic route!

Tall hedges , brick or stone walls, narrow roads are all familiar sights in the United Kingdom . This is also the case here but add roads that look like driveways, interconnecting streets without signs and you have the roads of Jersey. Everyone gingerly edges out onto a bigger road and may even squeeze passed a parked car. It is all civilised especially as the top speed is about  60kmh. We only went the scenic routes about 10,000, 000 times and had to reroute following the little blue arrow on the iPad.

Scenery on Jersey is a mixture of the wild Coast with either exposed beaches and rocks at low tide or tiny islands at high tide.

Everywhere are signs of the German occupation starting with a concrete wall that rings most of the coast. In towns this is now promenade areas often ringed by beautiful gardens. There are bunkers , watch towers and machine gun placements. Hitler obviously thought England would storm it on the way to Europe.

            Apart from this magnificent display of the use of concrete we found a renovators delight for you. Unfortunately the previous owners have left it in disrepair. It is in an outstanding location and displays traditional keystone brickwork.

Now if this is not to your taste, you could apply to be the guardian at Elizabeth Castle. Originally built in the 13th century and then renovated, with additions right up to the 1940’s. These later additions were not sympathetic to the original structure designs.

Now conditions have improved with the additions designed by Sir Walter Raleigh . Provision has been made for married couples so this situation will not continue.

The chapel on the breakwater has been unused since St Helier was murdered by pirates but the present residents seem to be at odds with the locals.

There also appears to have been an escape.     

After witnessing such drama we sought a famous Jersey Cream tea…..scones jam and cream. I was hoping for a traditional tea shop with bone china. We settled on beachside, open air and mugs. The scones were good didn’t you think?

Now you know you are required to visit at least one church on a trip….no the chapel doesn’t count because you wouldn’t go up the stairs to look. St Matthews church has been decorated in Art Deco style and was really worth a visit.    

Impressive use of glass isn’t  it. Even the cross on the outside was glass. Well you have driven around most of the island, walked 8km, so it’s dinner( don’t forget to choose a local delicacy ) then bed. Tomorrow is you last day here and there are some must see museums before you catch the ferry.