Jersey

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands, a group of islands close to the French coast, but part of Britain. We got off the ferry from St. Malo on Monday morning and went right to a diner and had an English breakfast. We had left the hotel so early that we missed petit dejeuner (French breakfast). Then it was off to exchange our euros for pounds and go to the tourist office. We have become fans of the tourist offices in Europe for several reasons. They can provide detailed maps of the towns, lists of accomodations, availability of rooms, and will even help you get a room. This is very helpful to bicycle tourists who are tired and do not want to ride around looking for accomodations. We checked into a hotel and then went exploring the town. We stopped for a beer and met two wonderful young men, Neil and Tom.


They are Jersey locals and we discussed many things, local and international. It was a great time and we learned many things about Jersey. It has one of the largest tidal changes in the world at 40 ft., is world renowned for the products from it's Jersey cows, and is the warmest place in Britain.


After saying goodbye to Neil and Tom, we went to Liberation square. The sculpture behind Belinda represents the islanders raising up the Union Jack in May 1945 after 5 years of occupation by the Germans. The evening low tide was quite apparent in the harbor.


This morning, Tuesday, we went sightseeing around the island on our bikes. There are bike paths/trails on the quiet roads passing by the major sights on the island.


This sculpture is to commemorate the rescue of all 307 passengers and crew of a shipwreck in 1995 just off the lighthouse.


We ended our sightseeing at a winery that produces excellent wine, apple brandy, and Jersey black butter (carmelised apple butter). Tomorrow we take the ferry to Weymouth, England and begin the last leg of our trip across Europe.