Jersey -shops and coast

Saturday I came into St Helier and went shopping for a change! I bought a Lonely Planet guide, -in English!- for Ireland. It confirmed what I had heard really, that Ireland is an expensive destination, so we'll see how we go.....St Helier was all abuzz with the England-Portugal game that was about to get underway. Sadly, I gather there were some riots in St Helier after England lost, but my camping ground is a whole world away in rural tranquility, though it may only be a few "miles" by bus.

Sunday morning I left the camping ground quite early as another hot day was forecast, and walked to Rozel Bay. Very gorgeous. The tide was quite low and I wandered amongst some of the rock pools and over some seaweed covered rocks. Then I headed uphill on a cliff path and soon found a coastal footpath which I followed around to Bouley Bay. It was a glorious coastal walk. I was reminded of some walks I have done with the Vinks around the harbour near Christchurch! I passed a rock called White Rock which reminded me a little of being at Cape Reinga, as currents seemed to be meeting near it (though it may have been an illusion with rocks under the water.)

At Bouley Bay I had some brunch, from a caravan run by Mary, a friendly woman with lots of life who made eating there fun. I must admit, I haven't eaten very well here in Jersey yet. Even a sandwich costs about $10 NZ. And I am pining for the lovely service in France. I am sure that hunger will soon get me over the expense/lack of service hurdles!

I walked back via the roads to the camping ground. I am getting used to their narrowness and listen well for where cars are coming from. I gather that the narrow roads are a legacy of the way farms used to be organised in the time of my ancestors anyhow so I can't complain. It is just a bit nervewracking if you are walking along a narrow road next to a rock wall with stinging nettle poking out wide!

In the afternoon I took a siesta as it was quite warm! I am reading a book called "Not quite British" which is enlightening about the kind of lives my rural ancestors led. They used to speak a Norman-French dialect. I hadn't known when this largely died out, but it seems that compulsory schooling, with the use of the dialect banned, had something to do with it. Sad echoes of what happened with the Maori language in New Zealand.

In the evening an English couple invited me out with them for a drive in their car, and I got to St Catherine's Bay, and Gorey, both very beautiful. I can't get over how very calm the sea is at present.

This morning I went in search of Les Ruettes, the house my great grandfather grew up in. Never actually found it, but it was an interesting walk that took me to a dolmen in Faldouet. I had some great help from a meter reader though so know another place to try tomorrow. For now, it is too hot again and I see another siesta in my future!

I took the footpath down to Gorey from Faldouet, grabbed some brunch and took yet another scenic route by bus into St Helier, past a rocky area that has become an internationally recognised marine reserve. This might be a small island, but it is very scenic, and a great bus service is a real aid to exploring even if you have no car.