The day after arriving in Jersey I hiked back to the ferry terminal as part of today’s investigation of the island to make sure I’d be able to get off. The train strike and all reminded me not to assume. To my and the man at the counter’s surprise, there was no boat to England the day I was checking out! “Can I get to Guernsey? ” I asked. on being told the affirmative we checked to see if there would be any issue in the next couple of days getting from this second Channel Island to England. Once it was confirmed things were fine I bought the appropriate tickets and planned to be finding accommodation for that new leg of the trip.
Hiking the 1 1/2 miles to the hotel in St Peter Port wouldn’t have been as tough if A. it wasn’t uphill the entire route and B. I hadn’t picked up a liter of Scotch & one of gin on the ferry duty free store. It was basically BOGO mainland prices so a no brainer. And the room was grand and for $80/£65 a night with breakfast.
St Peter’s Port is a nice harbor town of about 19000 with an island population of 63,000.
Having owned a rowing shell when the Weweantic River was my back yard, I had enough knowledge to be seriously impressed by this monster. Must be a big sport here judging by the number of craft on the dock
Classic “olde Time” shopping area. And thankfully a couple of nice pubs
Alfred Drury felt St George was appropriate for this WWI memorial unveiled in 1926
The St Peter Port Boer War memorial lists those men who gave their lives during the South African (Boer) War 1899-1902. The memorial stands on the south side of St Julian’s Avenue in St Julian’s Gardens and was unveiled by HRH Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught Sunday 23rd September 1905. It was designed by Mr. W Newbury. It takes the form of a soldier standing over a wounded comrade in mourning pose with his head bowed and his rifle reversed the whole stands on a square plinth with a single stepped base.
Albert the Prince Consort
Garden satyr
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria was the first reigning English monarch to visit Guernsey when she did so in 1846. The tower was erected to commemorate her visit. She and Albert visited the completed tower in 1859.
On a hilltop overlooking the harbor I found a well preserved and documented display of cannon.
This 13″ (size of projectile) mortar is from the 1830’s. The two rings are for handling purposes and the front base peg is for using a handspike to position the mortar. The weight of the mortar & base is 2592Kg/5700#. It had a range of 2900 yds/2562m.
When you read about wooden warships and they mention an 18# gun, this is it. A range of 2820yds/2580m. Markings on these guns show them from the reign of George III. America’s favorite king!
And this is a 24# Carronade. With a barrel only 3’9″/ 1.5m it’s range was a mere 1300yds/1188m it was normally used abroad ships at much closer range as the damage this enormous shell did could quickly disable an opponent.
Heading back down the hill gave a real good view of Fort George and a cruise ship heading out
I’ve never been on one of these and am not that tempted but it would be interesting to experience something so enormous on the water. Note the 5 shuttles. I’m guessing over 50-100 people can sit on each one.
{ 0 comments… add one now }