Guernsey, dark and light.

In the depths of winter I saw an email offer for a short holiday break in Guernsey. I didn't know then that we would be spending so much time away from home attending funerals in various parts of the country. And I assumed that in July the sea water surrounding the island would be warm for swimming. Ha ha to that one! I swam, but only once and not for long. Instead we did a great deal of walking, along the coastal paths with lovely views out to sea

and down the many quiet ruette tranquille

where the only sound was of bird song and the trickling of the small streams that flowed down the side of the roads.

The paths are well used and well maintained, there was no need for the heavy walking boots and thick socks that we'd packed.

The island is beautifully kept

and flowers are everywhere.

St Peter Port was awash with colourful arrangements.

at Petit Bot Bay

this little family walked up from the beach, crossed the road (without looking) and into the pub garden for their breakfast, after which they waddled back down to the water.

One of several Martello towers built as a defence against the French.

Sadly the history of war in Guernsey is far more recent than that with France in the eighteenth century. The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain to be occupied by the German army during the Second World War and the memory of those years is still very much alive. Flowers on the harbour wall to remember those who lost their lives.