The cross over with car by Condor Ferries is straight forward. You just need to show up with your booking number and the usual passport control. It takes one hour from Saint Malo to Saint Helier.
Liberation Square
Jerseys location is closer to France (25 km) than to the British Isles (150 km). Many names and customs remind one of the French heritage. Like other Channel Islands and Isle of Man, Jersey does not belong to Great Britain, it is a Crown dependency. Neither is it part of the EU but considered and handled as such in many affairs. Practical hint for the journey: The EU-wide roaming without surcharge for mobile phone does not apply to Jersey.
King Street, Saint Helier
The history dates back to 1066 A.D. Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy. Its Duke, William the Bastard, son of his predecessor Duke Robert I of Normandy who was unmarried, polygamy was acceptable as Viking custom but not ligitimated by the church, conquered England and became the first Norman King of England, William I or William the Conqueror. Less than two centuries later his successor, John Lackland, brother of Richard the Lionheart, was defeated and lost most of his continental mainland to the King of France. Jersey and the other Channel Islands remained attached to the English crown.
Saint Clement
The total resident population of Jersey was estimated to be around 100.000. The North-South axis is about 8 km long and East-West distance 15 km. There are numerous small country roads, the Green Lanes, on the island where the speed limit of 15 mph (24 km/h) is applicalbe whereas the general speed limit is 40 mph (65 km/h).
The beach in front of our hotel room, Saint Clement
Our hotel is situated across the road from the sea. At high tide the waves nearly reach the retaining wall of the street. A sanctuary for writing at a cup of tea, in a sunny warm and bright, spacious room, with French door up to the ceiling enabling panoramic seaviews.
Gorey
During the day it is 25°C dry and warm. At dusk we need a thin jacket sometimes. Ideal weather to explore Jersey. Busy Saint Helier, the only town on the island with approx. 34.000 residents and the main ferry port. The other two smaller harbours in Saint Aubin and Gorey are also bustling. Otherwise secluded villages across the Island. On occassion a church on a crossroads with few adjacent houses. Lots of beaches and picturesque bays.
Sand castle, Saint Catherine
The former fishing Village of Rozel lies in the North of Jersey with its tranquil bay. The approaching road is such narrow that the cars can hardly pass each other.
Rozel
The islanders are friendly and helpful. Most visitors to Jersey at this time of the year are older. Our hotel accomodates many of those. Probably Britons and few French among them. On the hotel car park there are several cars with GB, few H (for hired car). We are the only one with number plate from the continent. Jersey residents have GBJ (Great Britain Jersey).
Rozel Bay
The small roads and low speed limit let Jersey appear to be larger. By car you can return quickly from any corner of the island to Saint Helier where night life takes place. Our hotel in Saint Clement is just 2 km away from the centre. Many Pubs, night clubs and fine restaurants. Delicious dinner in pub costs about 30 GPB for two persons. There is a good Portugese Sam´s restaurant in the fish market to the north of the market hall. Few streets further the fine Indian Tamarind for unwinding at night.
Saint Aubin Harbour
A day trip to the west coast. There is The Harbour Gallery on several floors with a café on the top in Saint Aubin where local artists have their workshops, exhibitions and their works on sale. It is worth to have a look at. Not the usual tourist shop.
Saint Brélade
Further westward to Saint Brélade. The west coast is windy and rocky. A site for many ship accidents in the past.
Noirmmont Point: Distant meter and periscopes
In World War II Jersey was occupied by the Nazi regime. It was then expanded to a fortification as part of the Atlantic Wall. Relicts of those time can still be visited nowaday e.g. the coastal battery or The War Tunnels (Hohlgangsanlage 8).
Battery Lothringen
La Corbière is the most south-western point of Jersey in Saint Brélade. On the tidal islet which is linked to the shore by a causeway at low tide the first concrete light house of the world was errected in 1873 and taken into operation in 1874.
La Corbière lighthouse
With few exceptions there is no car park ticketing machine in Jersey. The total permitted parking duration is indicated on road signs. You must use scratch cards for public car parks and in chargeable parking areas on the street. They are available in many local shops, post offices and the likes for the price of 0,82 GPB each unit. Date and time of arrival on the car park are to be scratched off and the paycard to be displayed on dashboard.
Parking scratch Card
After nearly a week we leave Jersey heading back home via Rouen and Ghent. Last day shopping in the King street, Saint Helier. Relaxed and enjoyable.