We are a group of Yorkshire senior citizens who every year take time out and have a good time away from home.
This year, in January / February, we are staying in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. The ferries and hotel are booked. The hotel where we are staying is Les Cotils in St.Peter Port
ABOUT US
Some of us have known each other from school days, even being at nursery together.
This year there are seven of us. This number varies from year to year, it is usually between six and eight.
Trips away have mainly been in the UK, but we have also been to Ireland, Malta, Barcelona and San Sebastian. So, this years trip is continuing our recent trend of expeditions 'almost' abroad. As I've already stated, some of us were at school together whilst others we have got to know through work or social gatherings.
The day before we were due to leave, Ken received a phone call from Condor saying that the overnight ferry had been cancelled. Ken, being super efficient, sprung into action and booked us into the Keppels Head hotel in Portsmouth.
Day 1
I had spent a few days in Waterlooville having travelled from Kent. The other six came down from West Yorkshire by train. I met up with them outside the Keppels Head hotel where we had an overnight stay booked. After checking in we had an evening meal at the Ship Anson which comes highly recommended, both the food and real ale were good.
Day 2
The following morning we made our way by bus to the departure port to Guernsey, the departure had been delayed. A couple of Guernsey residents, Ken and Lee started talking to us, and provided us with some very useful information about Guernsey and even booked a taxi for us at the same time as booking their own.
After checking into the hotel we decided to have our dinner in the hotel and very nice it was! Afterwards we all retired to the bar to sample the local beer.
Day 3
Started the day with breakfast, consisting of almost equal choices of either a full English or eggs royale. We then walked down into the town and headed for the Military Museum only to find that it was closed until March. Unperterbed, we carried on along the road to La Vallette Bathing Pools where we had drinks in the cafe there.
After refreshments we headed for the bus station where we caught the number 91 bus for a circular tour of the island, stopping off at Vazon Bay beach for a light lunch. Between getting off the bus and reaching the hotel proved a challenge, being at the top of a hill and accessed by a steep road followed by many, many steps.
Had our evening meal in the hotel again, excellent as before. This was followed by the consumption of alcohol. Some of our group went into the lounge to watch a rugby match on television while the rest of us stayed in the bar.
Day 4
Started the day with a really good breakfast. The breakfast menu in the hotel is very varied and was reflected in our choices this morning.
We had a very interesting time today. A taxi took us to the German Occupation Museum - very interesting a well worth a visit. From here we walked about a mile and a half to the Little Chapel - again, well worth a visit. From here, we took the number 71 bus back to St.Peter Port where we had a drink on the harbour side - the coffee was disgusting, but those who had tea were satisfied.
In the evening we split up, with Ken, Peter and Eddie opting to eat in the town while Adrian Colin, Graham and Richard ate in the hotel.
Day 5
Herm is a tranquil island within a 20 minute boat ride from St.Peter Port. On arrival we had tea/coffee in the Mermaid bar. We had not long had breakfast, which was a shame, because, the food looked really good. After refreshments we headed across the island, where accidentally, we split into three groups, making our way back to the Mermaid by different routes. If in Guernsey, a trip to Herm is recommended for its peace and quiet. Arriving back in St.Peter Port we had a grumpy taxi driver in a Toyota Prius - must be boring - who when asked by Ken jokingly, 'Have we woken you up?' replied 'Are you tryong to be funny, mate'. Obviously he'd had a humour bypass.
Because it was Sunday and the hotel did not have food available, we booked a table at Lobster and Grill restaurant at Friquet Hotel where the food was really good.
We left the restaurant in two taxis, one group returned to the hotel whereas Eddie, Ken and myself, in the other taxi, went into town to the Albion pub for a couple of pints each. Eddie bought the drinks because he had a free drink voucher from the previous evening. We were given three more scratch cards and Ken and myself won a free drink which, hopefully, we can redeem tomorrow.
Day 6
Raining this morning, but walked to the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, which wasn't far from our hotel. We went round the museum, followed by tea/coffee refreshments and then split into two groups. One group obtained the key for Victoria tower from the Museum, the other group headed into town. After climbing the 99 steps to the top of the Victoria tower we were rewarded with stunning views of St.Peter Port.
We all met up on the sea wall approach to Castle Cornet. Unfortunately, the Castle was closed, but we were able to walk past it on the way to the lighthouse. Afternoon tea was had in a small shack on the harbour side. By this time it was late afternoon, so headed back to the hotel in preparation for the evening.
Had another excellent meal in the hotel. Some of us walked while others had a taxi to town where we all met in the Albion pub. We all had just a couple of pints except Ken who had three, some of which were free from scratch cards. Returned to the hotel for a relatively early night. The route from town to the hotel was quite steep, hence the use of taxis, especially when returning to the hotel.
Day 7
This mornings breskfast was the last we had in the hotel, excellent ad usual. With the consent of the receptionist our cases were left in the hotel lounge.
We caught the No.12 bus to the Bridge where some of us went around the Vale Castle. From here we caught the bus to Pembroke Bay where we had refreshments. Suitably refreshed we headed to Vazon Bay for a light lunch. Having misread the bus timetable we had bit of a wait for the No.42 to take us back to town. The staff in the hotel had looked after us really well and were very friendly, so we got them some chocolates as a thank you.
Day 8
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