On special request by Joy a short English version

The Channel Islands are five islands between England and France. Guernsey and Jersey are the two biggest islands and then there areHerm (very small, 20 minutes boat ride from Guernsey), Sark (1 hour boat ride from Guernsey, also small, but bigger then Herm and Alderney (again rather small). Hermand Sark have no cars, you can ride a bike or walkand on Alderney only the locals have a few cars. The islandsare part of the British Commonwealth but have there own money and stamps (worth the same as the British pound).

We visited Guernsey and Jersey between 7 and 14 May 2011, with a side trip to Sark. We made the trip with my brother Albert and his wife Annemieke. My brother is almost 60 and as we did never go on holidays with our parents, we had never spent holidays together. So this was a first.

We arrived in Guernsey on 7 May flying in from Rotterdam-The Hague Airport. We stayed at The Yacht with a good view of the harbour. That afternoon we walked around St. Peter Port, the capital, did some shopping and visited Castle Cornet a medieval castle in the port. We hade some rain that afternoon.

The second day we took a bus and travelled round the island with stops at Fort Grey (with Jersey Pearl), Grandes Rocques, St. Sampson (lunch). On Monday 9th of May there were big celebrations for the 66th anniversary of the liberation from the German occupation during WW II (and of course because of Jan's 66th birthday). We took a boat to the small and beautiful island of Sark. Jan and I walked; the other two rented a bike. At night we watched the fireworks after the lobster meal.

Tuesday we visited Sausmarez Manor with its subtropical garden and took it easy.

Wednesday was our transfer by Condor ferry to Jersey. The fast boat only takes one hour. We stayed at The Inn. Small rooms and some trouble in getting a proper room but thanks to friendly service OK. We walked into capital St. Helier that afternoon.

Thursday we took the bus to La Corbiere Lighthouse. At low tide you can walk to the lighthouse. Tides have a 5-6 meter difference here. After that we continued to Greve de Lecq on a peaceful bay. Back to St. Aubin for lunch and after lunch to St. Helier to visit the new Harbour Front.

Friday 13 May was our last day. We took a bus to St. Catherine and after that back to Gorey. That's where Mont Orgueil Castle is. We had coffee there (the worst coffee ever tasted). Back to St. Helier for a walk to the boat-bus to Elisabeth Castle. This is another attraction you can visit on foot at low tide, but we had to take the funny bus-boat. We had lunch at the castle called after Queen Elisabeth I and built by her great friend Sir Walter Raleigh.

The food in the islands is lovely, more French than English and lots of fish, crab and prawns.

Saturday 14 May we were flying back to Rotterdam after a very nice week with lovely weather (but for that one shower on the first day). Family ties are still OK after these holidays!